Abstract:The main objective of this article is to attempt to determine the current phase of development of European studies in Poland. The said studies are treated as a new, emerging academic discipline in statu nascendi, hence, their characterisation seems like a significantly difficult task. The authors present a brief genesis of the studies in Poland and highlight various viewpoints of the leading Polish researchers on the discipline’s research field. The controversies as regards the academic status of European studies emphasised in the Polish literature on the subject have subsequently been presented, including discussions as to whether the studies meet the criteria of a separate discipline at all, and if so, whether it is of a more interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary nature. Highlighting such a broad background enables the authors to proceed with the presentation of the main theories having, according to Polish researchers, the most relevant application in the research on European Studies. The article ends with a synthetic conclusion encompassing a general characterisation of European studies, as well as the confidence in their subsequent dynamic development in Poland.

• Keywords: European Studies in Poland, methodology of European Studies, theories of European Studies
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.01

Abstract:The European Union’s Structural Funds are a key instrument for reducing the disparities between its regions. The Slovak Republic, as well as other countries of the V4, has been eligible to implement these funds since joining the EU in 2004. This paper focuses on the implementation of the Structural Funds in the V4 countries in the 2007-2013 programming period. We have searched this programming period as it was the first period since the accession of countries to the EU in which they benefited from this support throughout its whole duration. The ability to spend EU funds effectively has a major impact on the economies of countries, as these resources make up the bulk of public investment. In this paper, we were working with secondary data using standard scientific methods of quantitative research as well as descriptive statistics. The results of our research have shown that the level of effectiveness of the implementation of EU allocated funds varies in the V4 countries in 2007 – 2013, while the effectiveness of some key indicators in the Slovak Republic was the worst among the V4 countries. We have also found that in terms of selected key socio-economic indicators in the period under review, such as unemployment rate, the Slovak Republic has improved least within the V4 countries.

• Keywords: Public administration, EU, structural funds, V4 countries, operational program, Slovak Republic.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.02

Abstract: The objective of the paper is to assess the resilience of UK’s economy towards two economic shocks: the Covid-19 pandemic that hit the global economy in Q4 2019, in years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the Brexit following the withdrawal of UK from the European Union on 31 January 2020. To assess the resilience of UK’s economy, two sets of forecasts are generated: forecasts using historical data including the pandemic and the Brexit (from Q1 1998 to Q4 2021) and not including the pandemic and the Brexit (from Q1 1998 to Q3 2019). The computation of the difference of their averages is an indicator of the resilience of the economy during the pandemic, the greater the difference the greater the resilience. Eurozone is used as benchmark. By subtracting the average forecasted 2022-2050 Eurozone quarterly GDP growth rate (annualized) obtained with the Q1 1998-Q4 2021 data, +2.93%, by the one obtained with the Q1 1998-Q3 2019 data, +1.59%, the difference is +1.33%, whereas with UK the difference is -2.33% [-0.24% – (-2.09%)]. Thus, Eurozone shows a greater resilience (+1.33%) than the UK (-2.33%) based on 2022-2050 forecasts. In addition, the authors pointed out that the average of the 2022-2050 quarterly (annualized) growth rate forecasts of the Eurozone is expected to be +2.93% with the 1998-2021 data whereas it is expected to be only -2.09% for UK The Eurozone economy shows better prospects than the UK economy.

• Keywords: GDP, spectrala analysis; wavelet analysis; forecasting; UK economy; Eurozone economies.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.03

Abstract: Blockchain technology, successfully implemented for the first time in 2009, with the launch of the first bitcoin cryptocurrency, is increasingly used in other areas of human life. As a cryptographically secured, distributed register is a guarantee of the stored data. The main assumption of blockchain is to eliminate, through built-in validation mechanisms, any central or trusted parties necessary to confirm the correctness of the data. The first part of the article presents general information about the technology. Next, the analysis of the potentials of its implementation in (I) financial and economic, (II) security,(III) political and social, (IV) legal and information was undertaken. The work is based on a case study of successful applications, as well as a comparative analysis, ended with a discussion and conclusions.

• Keywords: Blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, security, implementation, European Union.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.04

Abstract: In some markets, there has been a spike in digitization. There may be changes in the market structure as a result of this, as well as an increase in the market strength of some huge digital enterprises. In light of this, the role of abuse control in digital markets is projected to grow in importance in the coming years. At the national and union levels, efforts are now being made to tighten abuse control on internet platforms. This thesis examines a number of topics relating to internet platform competition and market power, such as the criteria for determining market power of digital platforms and the method to follow in circumstances where the market tends to “tip” permanently in favor of a platform. Another question is whether the principles of Art. 102 TFEU appear sufficient in terms of market power in digital platforms. Central to this is the consideration that a special platform regulation, where dominant platform companies will be subject to additional obligations and stricter monitoring beyond Art. 102 TFEU could be a useful addition to the existing merger regulation.

• Keywords: Abuse control, case law, digitization, digital companies, EU regulation, merger regulation.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.05

Abstract: This paper presents some findings of a research on a PhD level that aimed to develop a policy model regarding handling provenance research of Nazi looted art of Jewish ownership. The paper focuses on two major aspects related to provenance research of looted art, namely, the Museums’ conflict of interests and training and education of researchers to handle collections in training for provenance research. The research offers practical tools for states that wish to rethink their cultural policy with regard to Nazi looted art. The research was carried out using a qualitative approach, and the data rely on in-depth, semi-structured interviews, analysis of various historical and present-day documents, plus discussion from the focus group. Interviewees included key art world figures, museum directors, art curators, senior diplomats, and senior government officials. The paper argues that it is of great importance for humanity to protect, preserve and maintain cultural heritage objects. Developments in culture heritage show collective history, social changes are reflected within cultural heritage objects and will present recommendations drawn from the findings regarding the role of museums and public collections’ handlers in training for provenance research of Nazi looted art of Jewish ownership.

• Keywords: Nazi looted art; provenance research; cultural heritage policy, role of museums, public collections, education and training for provenance research.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.06

Abstract: As the interdependence intensifies, the European project is increasingly challenged by the implications of asymmetric distribution of power among allied states. The aim of this paper is to elaborate a synthetic theoretical approach in order to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the role cultural factors in determining the collective action and multilateral collaboration of the member states in the context of the apparently benign interdependence. In order to bring more light into the dynamics of the EU in the context of asymmetric interdependence we use a synthetic scientific approach combining the rationalist view on culture of institutional liberalism with the social constructivist perspective, focusing on both constitutive and causal effects of culture on conflict / cooperation relations.

• Keywords: EU dynamics, culture, asymmetric interdependence, synthetic approach.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.07

Abstract: The leaders of EU member states have been frequently referring to “geopolitical Europe”. Macron has been actively promoting the concept of Europe as a power since 2017, a vision based on the premise of deep geopolitical shifts and a new reality of big power rivalries on the world chessboard. Nevertheless, France must convince EU Member States that this concept is stable. As a tool for achieving “geopolitical Europe”, the French concept of Differentiated Integration will be examined in this paper. An emphasis will be placed on the EU enlargement process.

• Keywords: EU dynamics, culture, asymmetric interdependence, synthetic approach.
• DOI: 10.24193/OJMNE.2022.40.08