Journals University of Lodz
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After One Disaster Comes Another? Extraordinary Events and Their Lessons in the Croniche di Lucca
No full textIn the Croniche di Lucca, which covers the period of Lucca’s history from 1168 to 1424, we read about many natural disasters. We can read in detail about the lean years of 1181, 1284, 1330, 1348–1350, and 1400, and the plagues that followed, as well as the great windstorm of 1398. According to the descriptions, epidemics were almost always followed by wars or urban riots. The author of the historical work, Giovanni Sercambi (1348–1424), was not only a writer but also an active politician. He wrote down a significant part of the events he witnessed with the aim of teaching. He tried to formulate correlations both in the case of party fights and riots affecting the life of the city, as well as in the case of the aforementioned disasters. He stated that bad things are usually followed by more bad things.
He usually attached social or moral consequences to the individual events, which are outstanding sources of the history of the mentality of that period. He stated that the moral implications of the disunity experienced in urban politics are famine and epidemics, which in turn can lead to riots and uprisings. The question is, what were the additional consequences of the extraordinary events for the inhabitants of the city at the time? In my presentation, I will examine the relevant entries of the chronicle, analyse the social and moral lessons written down by Sercambi, compare the chapters of the Lucca source with the relevant notes of other contemporary Tuscan historical works, and draw conclusions about the unique features
Weapons and Wealth: Economic Effects of the Lucca’s War in Florentine Arms and Armour Production (1429–1433)
No full textIn traditional historiography, the wartime context is often judged to have had a uniformly negative impact on medieval economies. While this assessment holds in many respects, it has overlooked the specific sector of arms and armour production and trade, owing to a longstanding lack of focused study. This historiographical gap has thereby distorted our understanding of the period’s economic reality. The present research, grounded in the payment mandates preserved by the Dieci di Balìa, the Florentine war office, during the War of Lucca (1429–1433), seeks to fill that void by offering a concrete appraisal of the arms and armour economy.
By examining every recorded expenditure on artillery and firearms with their accompanying gunpowder and bullets, on crossbows and the accessories required for their operation, on polearms, and on defensive armour, the study harnesses the richness and precision of archival evidence to reconstruct quantities purchased, total outlays, production locations and the identities of individual suppliers. Repeated spikes in spending correspond closely with the most intense phases of the campaign, demonstrating that demand for weaponry generated a marked, localised surge in economic activity. Notably, rural hamlets such as Montefioralle and La Trappola emerged as specialised centres for crossbow bolt manufacture, while a Florentine apothecary came to dominate the gunpowder supply.
Contrary to the prevailing view that war uniformly depressed Florentine economic life, the conflict with Lucca functioned as a powerful stimulus for sectoral growth, furnishing blacksmiths, carpenters, barrel makers and arms dealers with exceptional earning opportunities. By mapping the supply chains behind every cannon, bolt and spear and by correlating expenditure peaks with the military chronology, this study demonstrates that late-medieval warfare could serve as a positive-sum catalyst, anticipating the organised armaments industries of later centuries and calling for a substantial revision of traditional narratives about the economic impact of war
The Evolution of the Role of Mass Media in Wars – Media as a Tool, a Threat and a Side of the War
No full textReleased information can lead to the outbreak of war, such as ‘The Ems Telegram’. It can also cause changes in the actions of the ‘great and the small’ of this world, influence the perception of reality and lead to a reversal of events. The examples of the media’s involvement in the history of wars described in this article demonstrate its use by conflicting parties as an instrument of warfare. Furthermore, they also make it clear that the media can be a threat and even a war party. During war, it is necessary to control the media space, understand the role of the media, pay attention to their presence in war, their technological capabilities, and their power to influence audiences and developments. Skilful and planned use of the media for political and military purposes can influence the success of operations
Hungarian Mercenaries in Italy in the 14th Century: An Analysis of a Mercenary Contract of 1361
No full textHungarian mercenaries began to operate in Italy in the 1340s. The reason for their appearance in the Kingdom of Naples was the planned dynastic link between the Neopolitan and the Hungarian branches of the Angevin family. Hungarian warriors arrived in Italy in greater numbers during the campaigns of King Louis I, who intended to occupy the Neopolitan kingdom for himself after the assassination of his younger brother, Andrew, by accomplices of his wife, Joan of Naples. After the failure of these campaigns, a considerable number of Hungarian warriors stayed in Italy and undertook mercenary service there. This study seeks to analyse a mercenary contract surviving from 1361, which was concluded by the king and queen of Naples and the mercenary company called Magna Societas Ungarorum. The text provides us with an excellent insight into the conditions under which these warriors fought and the expectations on behalf of the contracting parties. It also allows us to conclude to what extent the points of the agreement could be put into practice
Energetyczna gra Gazpromu w warunkach sankcji
Full text linkDuring the Putin era, the Russian Federation has conducted its energy policy with remarkable effectiveness in relation to both Europe and the post-Soviet region. The primary tool for implementing this policy was the state-owned corporation Gazprom, responsible for the transmission of natural gas in both directions. In the European market, Gazprom’s position gradually strengthened with the construction of new export pipelines – Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. By the end of the second decade of the 21st century, it appeared that the Russian gas giant was and would remain an undisputed player in the EU gas market, significantly influencing the energy situation in Europe.
The energy crisis triggered by Gazprom in the winter of 2021/2022 – along with anti-Russian sanctions following the outbreak of large-scale war with Ukraine in February 2022 – shortly led to significant changes in energy markets. The new geopolitical conditions forced EU countries to gradually phase out Russian natural gas, while Gazprom was compelled to seek new export routes for its energy resources. This article provides an analysis of Gazprom’s energy policy, with particular emphasis on the period following the outbreak of the large-scale Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022.W epoce putinowskiej Federacja Rosyjska niezwykle skutecznie prowadziła swoją politykę energetyczną zarówno wobec Europy, jak i regionu postradzieckiego. Narzędziem kreowania owej polityki pozostawała państwowa korporacja Gazprom, odpowiedzialna za przesył gazu ziemnego w obu kierunkach. Na rynku europejskim pozycja Gazpromu stopniowo umacniała się wraz z budową nowych gazociągów eksportowych – Nord Stream 1 oraz Nord Stream 2. Pod koniec drugiej dekady XXI w. wydawało się, że rosyjski gigant gazowy jest i pozostanie niekwestionowanym graczem gazowego rynku unijnego w ogromnym stopniu oddziałującym na sytuację energetyczną w Europie.
Wywołany przez Gazprom kryzys energetyczny zimą 2021/2022 r. oraz antyrosyjskie sankcje po rozpoczęciu wielkoskalowej wojny z Ukrainą w lutym 2022 r. doprowadziły w krótkim czasie do znaczących zmian na rynkach energii. Nowe uwarunkowania geopolityczne zmusiły państwa UE do stopniowej rezygnacji z rosyjskiego gazu ziemnego, zaś Gazprom do poszukiwania nowych dróg eksportu swoich surowców energetycznych. Prezentowany artykuł jest analizą polityki energetycznej Gazpromu ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem okresu po wybuchu wielkoskalowej wojny rosyjsko-ukraińskiej w 2022
Mniejszość LGBTQ+ w piłce nożnej mężczyzn w Europie – zarys problemu
Full text linkThe European football environment is a heterogeneous, loosely-knit community marked by numerous differences stemming from cultural, historical, and legal backgrounds. This article is inspired by personal observations and the evident need to investigate the formation of LGBTQ+ communities within the fan and footballer environment. The paper addresses this extensive topic and aims to initiate a discussion on the circumstances under which LGBTQ+ individuals consolidate within football fans and players. The emancipation of a discriminated minority within its own environment must prove itself and, due to a number of factors, occurs and evolves in various ways. In football, the reference to LGBTQ+ and their grouping is particularly noticeable due to the insular nature of a still heavily masculinised environment, where gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer individuals are marginalised.Europejskie środowisko piłkarskie jest niejednorodną, luźną społecznością, w której istnieje wiele różnic uwarunkowanych tłem kulturowym, historycznym czy uregulowaniami prawnymi. Niniejszy artykuł zainspirowany został własnymi obserwacjami i widoczną potrzebą zbadania, jak formuje się społeczność LGBTQ+ w ramach środowiska kibicowskiego i piłkarskiego. Opracowanie porusza rozległy temat i ma być przyczynkiem do rozpoczęcia dyskusji na temat okoliczności konsolidowania się jednostek ze środowiska LGBTQ+ wśród kibiców piłki nożnej oraz piłkarzy. W ostatnich latach zaobserwować można emancypację tychże grup, która ze względu na szereg czynników zachodzi i ewoluuje w różny sposób. W piłce nożnej szczególnie dostrzega się odniesienie do osób LGBTQ+ oraz ich grupowanie ze względu na hermetyczny charakter nadal silnie zmaskulinizowanego środowiska, gdzie dochodzi do marginalizacji gejów, lesbijek czy osób transpłciowych
Possible impacts of Tren Maya: The residents of Chetumal’s perspective, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Full text linkThe aim is to analyze the possible impacts of the Tren Maya megaproject on the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, through the perceptions of its residents. The theoretical framework used is that of social representations, as this approach helps understand how people organize, interpret and give meaning to information in their environment. The methodology is qualitative, involving surveys and in-depth interviews with residents of the study area. The analysis of the results is based on trends and excerpts from interviews that illustrate and contrast the impacts perceived by the local community. The main findings indicate that Tren Maya is viewed as an opportunity for economic improvement and will invigorate the production and tourist activities of Chetumal, however negative impacts on the environment are acknowledged. It is concluded that social representations can assist in creating comprehensive strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts and enhance the benefits from the implementation of Tren Maya in Chetumal
AI-powered live chatbots and smart tour guide apps in tourism: A literature review and future research directions
Full text linkThis study explores the critical intersection in the tourism sector combining artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with conventional methods. This research outlines three main goals: assessing the use of AI chatbots in the tourism industry, reviewing existing literature on intelligent tour guide apps, and pinpointing areas for further research. It focuses on incorporating AI into the tourism industry, highlighting the effectiveness of tools such as ChatGPT. The systematic literature review examines the use of ChatGPT in pre-trip, en route, and post-trip scenarios, analyzing its effects on customer engagement. Using technology acceptance model (TAM) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) frameworks, the adoption of automated intelligent tour guides is explored. The research follows a systematic review methodology, adhering to PRISMA guidelines for methodological rigor and has uncovered several factors that impact the adoption of AI-based intelligent tour guides, offering valuable insights for academic scholars and industry experts
Global trends in business tourism research
Full text linkBusiness tourism is a key economic driver in the regions where it is present. In recent decades, the remarkable growth of academic research both in quantity and diversity of articles, makes it necessary to structure and organize this segment of tourism to identify trends in the sector and facilitate the work of the community in the research process. Using Scopus as a bibliographic database, this article performs a systematic analysis of the academic research that has addressed business tourism in the period from 1970 to 2021. Through a robust methodological approach that includes the use of bibliometric tools, the study analyzes data to identify patterns, key actors and emerging trends in the field. It examines the main research trends and provides an analysis through strategic diagrams of the keywords found in business tourism which has not been done to date. The main findings confirm the consolidation of academic research in the meetings industry over the past two decades. We also identify the main trends, including the progressive integration of its activities in line with sustainable development criteria, the use and integration of new technologies, and the increasing need for professionalization in a growing sector
Can You Make Money from Being Queer? Commodification of Queerness on Social Media as Biographical Experience
Full text linkThe article presents a case study of an autobiographical narrative interview with Adam—a young influencer who creates books-related content. Special attention is given to Adam’s relationship with his audience and how it influences his self-perception. Of significant importance to the influencer’s biography are Adam’s non-heteronormative sexual orientation and the stigma associated with it. Using the sociolinguistic tools of Fritz Schütze’s biographical approach and its process structures, Erving Goffman’s theory of stigma, and Anselm Strauss’s concept of social worlds, I attempt to reconstruct the processes related to influencer activity on social media. The analysis reveals tensions between the ideological vision of one’s duties and the necessity to meet the expectations of the audience, including in the context of accusations related to the commodification of queerness. The text attempts to capture the possible biographical meanings of being an influencer and the identity-related entanglements of this role. It also highlights potential disruptions to biographical work caused by activities within social media