Consequences of Covid-19 for Kosovo’s Implementation to V4+

The article aims to provide a micro- and macro-level of a problem definition focused on Coronavirus crisis impacts on the tourism industry in the V4 countries and the eventual Kosovo integration into the V4 as a part of the Western Balkan 6 (WB6) and Eastern Partnership (EaP) enlargement V4+. The analysis of the primary data and the search for results are based on the Delphi method providing a better explanation of economic, social and market integration processes which fully exploit the opportunities of the content analysis provided by the quantitative and qualitative secondary data. The article offers key guiding criteria for deepening the economic integration into the V4 Group, emphasizing key aspects such as the economic and regional convergence, and the incorporation of diverse social strata into the economic growth process. The article highlights the benefits derived from the full membership of the actual V4 Group in the European Community as well as identifies its powerful strength and stable frame for promoting growth and prosperity. The critical view of the political and economic integration process emphasizes the risks derived from the deepness of divergence across countries and regions.

Diplomatic Steps of the Antall Government towards the Euro-Atlantic Integration

My dissertation is based on more than ten years of archival research. One of the goals of Antall’s foreign policy was the Euro-Atlantic integration. In December 1991, Hungary signed an association agreement with the European Community. By 1992, opinions on the future were divided between and within the Member States of the European Communities. There was a debate among the twelve about the concept of ‘deepening’ or ‘widening’, and the term ‘multi-speed Europe’ appeared. At this time, a number of questions arose about the full membership of the Trio in NATO, of which ‘how’ and ‘when’ came first. It has also been suggested whether it would be more appropriate to intensify economic and political cooperation rather than military ones. Perhaps the NACC should be thoroughly expanded first and then move on to expanding the range of full member states?

IS THE SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION MAKING A “NATO OF THE EAST”?

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is the largest regional origination in which Russia and China are founding members and recently Iran’s bid for full membership has been approved during the 21st summit of the SCO. These countries are against American hegemony and covertly and overtly demonstrate their concerns. SCO has been conducting military exercises regularly since 2002. Improving Strategic partnership between China and Russia, the presence of Iran, and military exercises of the SCO are matters of concern for the West. Some western scholars labeled it as “NATO of the East” and assessed it as an emerging military bloc. According to official documents and statements, SCO is a political and security organization based on cooperation and partnership and follows a non-interference policy. Does SCO contain components of a military alliance? Is SCO a military bloc or on the way to becoming in the future? This paper evaluates the SCO according to the theoretical concept of a military alliance besides comparative analysis of the SCO with NATO.

From Ankara Agreement to Helsinki Summit: Turkey’s Accession Process to the EU

Turkey's EU membership process began in 1963 with the signing of the Ankara Agreement. The Customs Union was established on January 1, 1996, after Turkey's candidacy for full membership in the EU was rejected in 1989. Turkey's success in this process, as well as the fact that the EU accepted numerous states from Central and Eastern Europe until the 1990s, encouraged Turkey's attempts to join the EU as a full member. Problems developed in relations during the 1997 Luxembourg Summit as a result of Turkey's special political situation in comparison to the other candidate states, but progress was achieved in Turkey's membership process at the 1998 Cardiff Summit. As a consequence, Turkey was approved as a candidate state to the EU on the same level as other candidate countries at the Helsinki Summit in 1999. Turkey was expected to create a National Program for the adoption of the EU acquis in accordance with the Copenhagen criteria, which were approved in 1993. At the summit, it was agreed that accession talks with Turkey would begin after Turkey had met all of the Copenhagen requirements. On March 19, 2001, the Council of Ministers approved the National Program created for this aim. The implementation of the EU acquis by Turkey, as well as the process of negotiating for EU membership, will be addressed and analyzed in this research.

From Ankara Agreement to Helsinki Summit: Turkey’s Accession Process to the EU

Turkey's EU membership process began in 1963 with the signing of the Ankara Agreement. The Customs Union was established on January 1, 1996, after Turkey's candidacy for full membership in the EU was rejected in 1989. Turkey's success in this process, as well as the fact that the EU accepted numerous states from Central and Eastern Europe until the 1990s, encouraged Turkey's attempts to join the EU as a full member. Problems developed in relations during the 1997 Luxembourg Summit as a result of Turkey's special political situation in comparison to the other candidate states, but progress was achieved in Turkey's membership process at the 1998 Cardiff Summit. As a consequence, Turkey was approved as a candidate state to the EU on the same level as other candidate countries at the Helsinki Summit in 1999. Turkey was expected to create a National Program for the adoption of the EU acquis in accordance with the Copenhagen criteria, which were approved in 1993. At the summit, it was agreed that accession talks with Turkey would begin after Turkey had met all of the Copenhagen requirements. On March 19, 2001, the Council of Ministers approved the National Program created for this aim. The implementation of the EU acquis by Turkey, as well as the process of negotiating for EU membership, will be addressed and analyzed in this research.

Durkheim and the Philosophy of His Time

Durkheim was trained as a philosopher, taught philosophy, and never left the philosophical field. He started his career with standard philosophical equipment but also with a growing disenchantment about the eclectic and metaphysical mainstream that had survived the establishment of the Third Republic. Philosophy was too general to deal with the growth of scientific invention. Durkheim pursued simultaneously two goals: first, he established a firm demarcation line between philosophy and sociology, guaranteeing the full autonomy of the latter. Second, he benefited from his full membership in the philosophical institution. Rationalism remained his lifetime affiliation. It was largely based on a French version of neo-Kantianism. In the last part of his life, he engaged in a strong discussion with American pragmatism, as a way of clarifying his grasp of social practice.

Understanding Paedobaptism In Light Of African Theological Context.

The study had a purpose of understanding paedobaptism in light of African theological context. The study is theoretically informed by inculturation theory that is well propounded by Mbiti (1969) and Bediako (1995). The researcher used qualitative methods of data presentation, descriptive and analytical research. Random and cluster selection design was used to sample hundred women of different age groups. He also targeted 50 men of the age between 30-60 years. The study also targeted 50 clergy of the two genders. Extensive reading of relevant literature was done to investigate efficacy of infant baptism. Interview and questionnaire was the method of data collection used in the study, prominent Church leaders and theologians were interviewed. The researcher then examined all data obtained from questionnaires and interview guides. It was coded appropriately and organised for analysis. Various correction tests were run using the SPSS (statistical packages for social sciences). The data was converted into mean, frequencies and percentages. This was used to generate tables and data. The study found out that all the clergy understood the real meaning of baptism as an act of strengthening faith, giving assurance and giving a title. A big percentage of the laity referred baptism as a means of attaining full membership into the church and just acquiring a name. The study recommended that the church needs to educate her members on the meaning of baptism, which is not only having a name and being a member of the church but for a holistic growth of the body of Christ.

Hazing Practices in South African Schools: A Case of Grade 12 Learners in Gauteng Province

Hazing is an ancient, universal practice. In past and modern societies, the need to join a group is an aspect of humanity. The process of joining a group frequently includes the need to be hazed to legitimate full membership. This article uses the theoretical frameworks of Foucault and Bourdieu’s perspectives of social order, Tajfel and Turner’s theory of social identity, and Bandura’s theory of moral disengagement to inform the phenomenon of individuals joining groups. In particular, the study has sought to ascertain why those who haze are motivated to act. A grounded theory was developed through interviewing young adults, who planned hazing activities while in positions of leadership as Grade 12 learners in Gauteng schools. The grounded theory shows that hazing although enacted by an individual is not solely driven by that person, but rather hazing is a means of cultural reproduction. The developed theory is grounded and was verified through interviewing stakeholders in the school community who had extensive knowledge of the school culture and of Grade 12 learners.

Use of the SWOT Analysis in the Field of National Security Planning

The authors propose to improve the methodology of operational and service activities planning based on the methodology of defense planning within the national security system on the basis of opportunities. The capability-based planning will allow for better planning of operational and service activities of the border agency and will ensure active cooperation between Ukraine and NATO in order to achieve the criteria necessary for full membership in the Alliance. A defense survey is conducted to assess the state and readiness of the defense forces to perform tasks related to the defense of Ukraine, the state of their personnel, financial, logistical and other types of support in the current and projected conditions of the security environment. The survey of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine was conducted using an analytical method, namely the analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT-analysis), which allows substantiating the main directions of the Development Strategy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and increasing the level of operational and service activities planning within the system of national security. The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is a component of the security and defense sector and the new conditions the border agency operates in arise the issue on improving the methodology of planning its operational and service activities. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-01280 Full Text: PDF