PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM IN SLOVAKIA AFTER THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN 1998 |
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Daniel Klimovský
Abstract:
The public administration reform implemented in Slovakia after the parliamentary election of 1998 was in fact the second wave of reform in Slovak public administration. After the successful overthrow of the communist regime at the very end of the 1980s and early 1990s, an authoritarian style of public policy-making represented by the Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar was operated from 1994-1998. Centralization, instead of decentralization, was the priority of his government, and Slovakia was excluded from negotiations for membership in the EU and NATO. However, the party of Vladimír Mečiar moved into opposition after the parliamentary election of 1998, and the new ruling party began with a few ambitious reforms including the second wave of public administration reform. It was built on the principles of decentralization as well as modernization. This article is aimed at this second wave of public administration reform in Slovakia. Its author evaluates its content and impacts.
Key words: public administration reform, Slovakia, decentralization, regional government, local government, local state administration
Daniel Klimovský, PhD. is lecturer and researcher at the Department of Regional Science and Management, Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Košice, Slovakia. He is also a director of the NGO Slovak Political Institute. He deals with both public policy-making at the local and regional levels and public administration with special regard to local and regional governments. Contact: daniel.klimovsky(at)tuke.sk, daniel.klimovsky(at)spinstitut.sk.
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LOCAL ECONOMIC NORMATIVE AND HUMAN RESOURCE ACTIVITIES ANALYSIS IN PRACTICE |
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Alenka Pandiloska Jurak
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a development of a model for evaluating the work of Slovenian municipalities. The purpose of the development of this model is that after entering the data into the model, not only municipalities that are similar to each other can be compared but also those that are in terms of population, territory size, etc. quite different.
Key words: Slovenia, evaluation, local administration, municipalities, performance, new public management
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CRITICAL DIVERSITY LITERACY: DIVERSITY AWARENESS IN TWELVE SOUTH AFRICAN ORGANISATIONS |
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Melissa Steyn
Abstract
South African society has undergone a remarkable political and legal transformation since 1994, moving from apartheid towards a democratic society which enshrines the rights of diversity. However, deep social divisions and inequalities persist. Twelve case studies were conducted as part of the DEISA research programme into diversity and equity transformation in South African organisations. The concept of Critical Diversity Literacy (CDL)was useful to judge the organisations for their disposition towards diversity, and the extent of their achieved transformation. The CDL model proposed here is a conceptual tool for teaching and implementing transformation towards more socially just approaches to workplace diversity, even in complex postcolonial contexts.
Acknowledgments: The author wishes to acknowledge the funding of SANPAD and the National Research Foundation, South Africa. The members of the DEISA research team are also acknowledged: Lize Booysen, Philomena Essed, Claire Kelly, Stella Nkomo, Crain Soudien.
PhD. Melissa Steyn is Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Intercultural and Diversity Studies at University of Cape Town;
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Cite this article:
Steyn Melissa. Critical Diversity Literacy: Diversity Awareness in Twelve South African Organisations. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.3, no.3:50-82, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no3-art03
Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no3-art03
View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2010-no3-art03.pdf |
FOUR YEARS FROM THE CANDIDACY STATUS – WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED? |
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Sonja Risteska
Abstract
Four years have passed since Macedonia got the candidacy status from the EU and it still waits to start the negotiations for full membership. This period has been full with events which influenced Macedonia’s development and caused the prolonged waiting of the much anticipated negotiations. The events went from a promising start in 2005 with the candidacy status, through acting as a ‘spoiled child’ in 2008 to positive performance and dedication to the reform processes in 2009. The country did not use well the incentive given at the European Summit in 2005 (the candidacy status) and passed the opportunity to get an early date for starting the negotiations with the EU in the following years (2007, 2008). With internal and external pressure, in 2009 the authorities started to work on the reforms. The EC acknowledges this positive trend, having in mind that the reforms are far from over. There are high expectations that the developments will produce positive EC Report this year and that the country will be rewarded with a recommendation of a date for starting the negotiations for full membership. Whether these expectations will materialize it remains to be seen on 14th of October when the report will be published.
Key words: negotiations, EC, Greece, reforms
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DEVELOPMENT COALITIONS. THE ROLE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THEIR OPERATION AND EFFICIENCY |
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Dumitrică Cătălin Daniel
Abstract
Building development coalitions, that has as main objective to stimulate and support regional development process involves the development of a highly complex process, involving in particular the use of local resources and a local management able to mobilize all stake Shrani holders to achieve goals.
Using the concept of "development coalitions" when referring to the local development process is preferable from the perspective of the size of this term because he represents "a much broader concept than government, but less vague and pluralistic than the concept of governance”.
Establishing development coalitions is closely related with the development of an effective local management.
The aim of this paper is to present examples of development coalitions that are functioning in Romania and to analyze the impact of public private partnership on these structures.
Keywords: local management, development coalitions, business development zone, regional development agencies, public private partnership
Dumitrică Cătălin Daniel is a assistant Professor PhD candidate. National School of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Public Administration
Cite this article:
Daniel Dumitrică Cătălin. Development coalitions . The role of public-private partnerships in their operation and efficiency. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.3, no.2:24-45, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no2-art02
Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no2-art02
View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2010-no2-art02.pdf |
THE IMPACT OF EU ANTI-TERRORISM SECURITY MEASURES ON THE RESPECT OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES |
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Dana Mihaela Murgescu, Cristina Elena Nicolescu
Abstract
The issue of security seems to be the new concern of the political and social realms in this new millennium. If the 20th century brought about a revolution in terms of human rights, which new a tremendous development and recognition, in the past years it seems the focus of the future will be security and, more specifically, security from terrorism.
While we do not dispute the existence of terrorism in the modern capitalist world and the terrible potential outcomes of terrorist actions, with impact over thousands of innocent bystanders, we cannot support a point of view were the rule-makers, in an attempt to not miss a terrorist threat, aim to control everything.
This paper aims to analyze the balance, or lack thereof, and the compatibility between the new regulations intended to stop the possible advance of terrorism within the European Union and the Union's efforts to protect the fundamental rights and liberties of its citizens. The focus of the work will be mainly on the relationship between the people's right to security versus the people's right to privacy. Can we, or should we, prioritize human rights? Who will have the opportunity to decide which right is more important to respect and which one can be by-passed?
We must not forget that the EU is a democratic organization, intrinsically founded on democratic principles and the respect of human rights (Treaty of the European Union, Art. 6, Maastricht: 1992). Experience has shown us that the borderline between excessive care towards protecting the citizens against any possible threat, on the one hand, and complete control of society and disregard for citizens' rights and liberties, on the other hand, is very narrow.
Keywords: Security, terrorism, European Union, human rights
Dana Mihaela Murgescu: University assistant lecturer, PhD candidate, within the Faculty of Public Administration, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration. Graduate of Political Sciences and Law.
Cristina Elena Nicolescu: University assistant lecturer, PhD candidate, within the Faculty of Public Administration, National School of Political Studies and Public Administration. Graduate of Physics and Public Administration.
Cite this article:
Murgescu Dana Mihaela, Cristina Elena Nicolescu. The impact of EU anti-terrorism security measures on the respect of the democratic values. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.3, no.2:46-58, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no2-art03
Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no2-art03
View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2010-no2-art03.pdf
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PEACE EDUCATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION: A CRITICAL REVIEW |
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Ali Askerov
Abstract
This article critically discusses peace education and its role in conflict resolution. Peace education is a powerful tool for social and personal change. The basic assumption about peace education is that the more people study and learn, the more capable they are to address issues and problems peacefully on different levels. The need for peace education exists in every aspect of our social lives. Also, it calls for a new awareness of how people think and tell their stories, which involve a highly developed sense of self and other. It deals with the movement from violence to nonviolence, which is tightly related to the process of learning and awareness. Is peace education, then, for everybody regardless of age, gender, social status, race, religion and ethnicity? This article is a critical analysis of peace education and the role it plays or may play in conflict resolution.
Key Words: peace, education, change, nonviolence, resolution
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TOWARDS THE SUSTAINABLE CONCEPT OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN POSAVJE REGION IN SLOVENIA |
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Božidar Veljković, Milan Ambrož
Abstract
This study examines the role of a sustainable natural and social environment and contextually developing tourism based on visiting tourist type in tourism development in Posavje region in Slovenia. Overall results suggest that local residents’ are generally satisfied with the tourism development. Their satisfaction is based on their quality of life the industry and cultural heritage that attract new tourists. Study reveals the fact that future tourism will be based on sustainable development where quality of life of the local residents has a primary role. The findings suggest that strong knowledge base about the tourists’ psychographics changes that could indicate the destination life cycle and help destination managers to design appropriate strategies.
Key words: local residents, tourism development, tourist type, sustainability, planning, knowledge base, behaviour pattern
Božidar Veljković, Ph. D. is a lecturer at Višja komercialna šola Celje, Slovenia
Milan Ambrož, Ph. D. is a project manager at B&B eduaction and trainig d.o.o., Kranj, Slovenia
Cite this article:
Veljković Božidar, Ambrož Milan. Towards the sustainable concept of tourism development in Posavje region in Slovenia. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.3, no.1:36-59, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no1-art02
Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no1-art02
View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2010-no1-art02.pdf
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EUROPEANISATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY SECTOR IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE |
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Mateja Rek
Abstract
In postsocialistic period, the civil society sector in countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) experienced a series of transformations of both functional and normative nature. In these processes it is difficult to overlook the importance of exposure to Western concepts of understanding and organizing civil society, while the effects, which occurred due to the inclusion of CEE countries to European Union, take privileged place. The purpose of this article is a.) to determine what where the effects of the EU accession processes on the development of civil society in the CEE countries; and b.) to assess the extent and quality of involvement of civic organisations from countries of CEE into transnational European civic networks.
Key words: civil society, transition, East-Central Europe, europeanisation, EU
Cite this article:
Rek Mateja . Europeanisation of civil society sector in Central and Eastern Europe. Innovative Issues and Approaches in Social Sciences, vol.3, no.1:60-86, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no1-art03
Digital Object Identifier(DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.12959/issn.1855-0541.IIASS-2010-no1-art03
View full text in pdf: http://www.iiass.com/pdf/IIASS-2010-no1-art03.pdf |
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