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Technological Progress and the Transformation of Society: Perspectives for Individual Development
Full text linkThe presented contribution deals with the impact of technological progress on the transformation of society and its potential perspectives for the individual development of individuals. Due to the demographic indicators that have identified that the population is aging not only in the territory of the Slovak Republic, but also in Europe, in our contribution we focus on the target group of senior citizens, as their number is increasing in the world. Population aging appears to be a global demographic trend.
It is the result of a combination of factors such as advances in medical care, better access to health care, changes in socio-economic structures and lifestyles. With the increasing presence of technology in all areas of life, seniors face new opportunities, but also challenges when it comes to adapting and using these technologies. This contribution focuses on identifying the possibilities that technological progress offers for the development of seniors in the field of education, health, social contact, but also active involvement in society. At the same time, it also analyses the obstacles and limitations that seniors encounter when using new technologies and proposes measures and strategies to support their effective and inclusive involvement in the digital era, while we should not forget our social responsibility
Municipal Size and Efficiency in Romania. Larger is Better?
Full text linkTerritorial reforms took place in several countries of Western Europe beginning with 1950 and of the Central and Eastern Europe after 1990. The theoretical premises of these reforms were those that larger local authorities will be more efficient in delivering public services to citizens, tailor made for local needs. Unfortunately, the reality proved a little much more complex; the reforms determined different administrative and economic outputs, so the ’economies of scale’ and ‘democracy’ arguments remained without a definitive answer and the debates are still dividing specialists and political leaders.
The paper analyses those territorial reforms and their relevance in the context of Romanian current debates and realities. The findings from the case of other countries are compared with data of the Romanian municipalities (by municipality understanding any local administrative unit), and implication on the optimal municipal size, cost-efficiency improvements, impact on local democracy and political participation are discussed. The conclusion is that any territorial reform should be done looking to all the possible outputs (in terms of size, but also of the density of population, availability and costs of public services, decentralization and local democracy, participation in political life, protection of the ethnic minorities, etc.) and how these will affect citizens. More than that, the data regarding Romanian municipalities shows there is no evident correlation between some financial indicators and population size. This means that an up-scaling will have the impact of reducing the number of municipalities but will not change the performance of that local authorities
The Path of Good Intentions. Civil Society’s Role in Romania’s National African Strategy
Full text linkThe paper discusses, from a social constructivist theoretical perspective, the manner in which Romania’s African Strategy, Romania–Africa: A Partnership for Future through Peace, Development and Education, envisions civil society’s role. The paper tries to identity the political, theoretical and ideological underpinnings of the document’s view of civil society, by analyzing not only its content, but its position within the wider context of Romania’s foreign policy.
The ambiguous or rather limited role that civil society is expected to play is explained as a result of the two rather conflicting views of international politics which the document tries, albeit unsuccessfully to reconcile: an understanding of international politics, focused on the distribution of power and centered on the privileged role states play in international politics, stemming from a historical sense of vulnerability exacerbated by the War in Ukraine, which cannot be reconciled with a view of international relations focused on the role of international institutions and Romania’s historical support for decolonization. In addition to the interaction between these perspectives, both views, however, prescribe a subordinate role for civil society
International Relations in the 21st Century: The Role of Track-Two Diplomacy in Conflict Resolution
Full text linkTrack-Two Diplomacy has emerged as a vital tool in contemporary international relations for resolving conflicts. This form of diplomacy involves unofficial channels, often involving non-governmental actors, to complement official diplomatic efforts. In today’s complex global landscape, where traditional state-centric approaches often fall short, Track-Two diplomacy offers a flexible and innovative approach to conflict resolution. Adopting the communication theoretical framework of international relations which emphasizes the pivotal role of communication processes in shaping global interactions and outcomes, the study explores the role of track-two diplomacy efforts towards conflict resolution while analyzing the Aceh, Indonesian conflict and the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan. The paper finds that Track Two diplomacy efforts has provided a platform for addressing the sensitive issues which the official channels has long overlooked in the two conflicting case studies. The research paper conclude that amidst the several shortcomings and limitations of Track-two Diplomacy, its major advantage is its capacity to engage a wide array of stakeholders, including those who may be marginalized or excluded fromofficial negotiations in conflicting situations. The study recommends ‘enhance communication channels’; That is, the Establishment of a system of communication that is consistent and dependable amongst parties involved in a disagreement and the ‘Incorporation of Local Knowledge and Expertise; that is the Utilizing the insights and proficiency of individuals inside the local community who possess a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and political intricacies of the issue
Exploring the Interplay between Apocalyptic and Millenarian Narratives within Populist Ideologies
Full text linkThis paper delves into the intricate relationship between apocalyptic and millenarian narratives and populist ideologies and narratives. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology, political science, and cultural studies, this research examines how apocalyptic visions of societal collapse and millenarian hopes for a utopian future intertwine and manifest within populist discourse. Through an analysis of historical and contemporary examples, including political speeches, media representations, and online communities, this study elucidates how populist leaders and movements employ apocalyptic rhetoric to galvanize support, mobilize followers, and construct collective identities. Moreover, it investigates the ways in which apocalyptic aspirations are utilized within populist narratives to promise transformative change and mobilize grassroots activism. By scrutinizing the ideological underpinnings and rhetorical strategies employed by populist actors, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between apocalyptic anxieties, millenarian visions, and populist politics in contemporary society. Additionally, it sheds light on the implications of these narratives for democratic governance, social cohesion, and political participation, offering insights into the dynamics of power, authority, and resistance within populist movements
Administration of the State Railways During the Fascist Regime: The Creation of the Ministry of Communications
Full text linkThe political and social climate in Italy at the end of the First World War was fertile ground for the establishment of the Fascist Regime.
During Fascism, even the transport sector, already strained by the war effort, was subject to organisational changes aimed at establishing greater political control.
A well-defined pattern was imposed on the organisation of the State Railway Administration, as a state rail transport body, accompanied by a strict military order.
During the fascist period, two distinct phases of change in the internal organisation of the State Railways Administration can essentially be identified. The first was marked, in 1922, by the appointment of the Extraordinary Commissioner for the State Railways, while the second, which determined the real beginning of the Fascist administration for the State Railways, was characterised by the establishment of the Ministry of Communications, which took place with Royal Legislative Decree RDL. No. 596 of 30 April 1924. The contribution, after a brief historical reconstruction of the development of the Italian railway network, focuses on the analysis of the railway transport system during the years of Fascism, highlighting how the regime, in a highly strategic sector such as transport, actually implemented timid political-institutional transformations. Specifically, the work analyses the establishment of the Ministry of Communications and the reorganisation of railway services
The Changes in Liberalist Ideology Visible in Internet Use
Full text linkThe purpose of this paper is to look at the ways the Liberalist ideology undergoes various changes, due to the changes occurring in the world at a geopolitical level. These changes are due to the destabilization brought about by various events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, then by the war between Russia and Ukraine. The advantages promised by the Liberal democracies lose various aspects due to current restrictions. One of the advantages of the liberal democracy was freedom of expression, which was visible all over the Internet. However, with the war going on, various Internet sites can be placed under interdiction in certain countries, so as not to influence public opinion. The role of the Internet in politics is beyond dispute. However, many alternative channels can promote alternative opinions, opposed to the mainstream trends. At the same time, information can become distorted due to this and biased, since it is presented only from certain perspectives. The paper will present the context of today’s world from a political point of view and analyse its consequences over the use of the Internet, until not so long ago a medium of pure freedom of action and expression. The ethics of freedom of expression on the Internet is a subject of current concern, and it can be analysed in strong connection with the practice of politics. The changing ideological features of liberalism will also be analysed
Post-Communist Higher Education Expansion in the European Area. The internationalization context
Full text linkThis paper discusses the impact of globalization and internationalization on the expansion of higher education in the European space. Thus, I begin with a brief historical foray into the expansion of higher education in the twentieth century, at the end of which I try to fix some reference notions of this perspective, including key elements such as “global” or “globalization”. The usefulness of discussing these concepts supports the understanding of globalization as a gradual cognitive scale, the expansion of higher education being thus explained by the international flow of information on several levels, from global to European and national. More specifically, the fall of the communist systems in Central and Eastern Europe together with the transition to capitalism were essential steps in opening up to new opportunities and exchanges of university experience, issues that are subject to the internationalization of higher education. In this way, European internationalization would not be possible in its present form without the contribution of the Bologna process, which aims to achieve a higher education that is as inclusive and accessible as possible, factors that prove to be essential in terms of the expansion of tertiary education
The Digital Revolution and the Elderly – Dealing with the Digital Divide: The Israeli Case
Full text linkThe increase in life expectancy characterizing the modern age has seen humanity enter the 21st century with a digitized momentum. However, the Digital Age, with its many facets and nuances, seems to sometimes be at odds with reality as it is, in fact, not as all-inclusive as it purports to be. The technological strides made daily are based on the assumption that the synergy between progress and technology, which feeds the process of digitalization, will see the world dash forward technologically in every way, and that digitalization will improve every aspect of our lives.
This begs the question: is that truly the case, or will this race toward total digitalization leave behind entire sectors that are not familiar with the concept of a computer or an app? Are these sectors doomed to be left behind, in the proverbial cold of all other forsaken things of the Analog Age?
This paper will review Israeli society as a case study, and will present the basic concepts of the phenomenon known as the “digital revolution,” the digital gaps this phenomenon entails, how Israel and other countries around the world deal with this challenge, and the social, economic, psychological, and cognitive implications this bears on the sectors affected by the digital divide. Potential solutions will also be presented, particularly with respect to the elderly.
The elderly comprise about 12% of the Israeli population, numbering some 1,350,000 people. Given their age at the onset of the digital revolution, many have found that – almost overnight – they were lagging far behind their children and younger society as a whole, and that they were slowly becoming somewhat detached from the “buzz” of the 21st century. A worse turn of events, however, was the fact that this digital gap meant that many were being cut off from essential services provided to the elderly as an age group.
Better planning and organization for the integration of the results of the technological and digital revolution could lead to a better understanding of its components. This, in turn, will lead to a better and more widespread application of the products of the digital revolution by audiences that – left unprepared for the changes to come – will find that they are excluded from the very society to which they belong
Changing the Path of Climate Change. Voluntary Certification for Carbon Removals in European Union: The Case of Forestry Projects
Full text linkClimate change and environmental degradation are the crisis generators today and, in the years, to come as they threaten our social, economic and political order in Europe and worldwide. In this context, European Union committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 as the member states have agreed on a European Green Deal, and the European Commission has adopted several proposals for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Nevertheless, achieving no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 requires high investments in the decarbonisation of the economy and in developing ways to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere for the residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.
In this paper, I will focus on the EU’s strategy for carbon removal, especially on carbon farming, where carbon can be naturally captured in the soil or forests. Since the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, when an offsetting carbon mechanism was also created for the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), many projects based on different carbon crediting schemes were created worldwide. However, there needs to be more presence of European projects on voluntary carbon markets and the EU prepares legislation for its certification scheme. In this context, I will try to figure out the main challenges of VCM in Europe and answer the following research question: “why European Union is trying to boost its voluntary market through specific legislation?”. Moreover, my examples will focus on forestry projects as naturebased solutions are the cheapest way to remove and store carbon