2024 Issue No. 46 / December
1. Pawel HUT LANGUAGE AS A TOOL OF ENFORCED ETHNIC CONVERSION IN A BORDER SPACE WITH THE EXAMPLE OF TRANSELSIA (ZAOLZIE SILESIA)
Abstract: Poland is a unique country in Europe, as it changed its geographical location after the Second World War, leaving large Polish groups in other countries. Since 1989, there has been an intensification of contacts between kin-state and foreign compatriots. Foreign compatriots are a heterogeneous group, as only a part of the population remained in the former USSR (Latvian, Lithuanian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, Russian and Kazakh republic), while in Czechoslovakia (Transelsia) the local popu-lation did not undergo mass migration, but there were changes in their ethnic identification. Investigating the contemporary de-terminants of ethnic identity seems important from an academic perspective, and this is what this study is devoted to: consisting of in-depth interviews, questionnaires and observations. Using Transelsia as an example, the author describes the reaction of the former majority in the region to the assimilation pressure, which was carried out, among other things, through the introduction of the Czech language into the public space. In the Transelsia area, the presence of the Polish language is not identical in all parts. In the following considerations reference was made to: topographical names, names of public facilities, Polish-language educa-tion, as well as names of service points, shops and workshops. Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the in-depth inter-views, questionnaires and observations, it was assessed that the hypothesis adopted in the study was confirmed. The state language has become a tool for forced ethnic conversion, and bilingualism itself also has a hidden dimension, with content used to impose Czech identity (e.g. bilingual street names whose patrons are historical figures with anti-Polish and nationalist involvement). Currently, an area of rivalry between Polish and Czech circles in Transelsia is theTeschen dialect, which the Czech side wants to use as an argument in the historical justification of its rights to the region. 2. Ewa Maria WŁODYKA, PhD THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS ALONG THE COASTAL STRIP OF THE RE-PUBLIC OF POLAND: IMPLEMENTATION POLICY REGARDING THEIR AUTON-OMOUS TASKS IN THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE. SELECTED SEASONAL SAFETY ISSUES Abstract: The study assesses the challenges of health care and emergency medical services in tourist areas such as the Baltic coastal strip, focusing on public administration and citizen safety. The study analysed local government at the level of municipalities (in the Mielno municipality), counties (Koszalin county) and provinces (Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship), looking at health care and emergency medical services based on their geographical and social differences. The study asked whether these differences between the three levels of local government in Poland are due to their specific roles in the area and whether seasonal changes affect their increased commitment to tasks. It explored which aspects of health care present the greatest challenges in this context. The study has a national dimension. Methodology adapted to public administration research, using a comparative method, descriptive analysis and document analysis. The process took place in three stages: formulation of the research hypothesis (H1 = Polish coastal municipalities face additional safety and health tasks), selection of research tools, data collection and organisation, and operationalisation of data. The study confirmed the hypothesis, confirming that local governments in coastal areas take on additional safety and health responsibilities in Poland. The results of the study confirm hypothesis H1 at the level of Polish mu-nicipalities, indicating significant challenges in these areas. However, in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and Koszalin County, these relationships are relatively less pronounced compared to the country. The thorough approach and methodology of the study confirm the increased responsibility of coastal municipalities in terms of health care and safety measures, shedding light on the complexity encountered in these regions. 3. Madi OMAROV, PhD candidate, Archil CHOCHIA, Senior Researcher, Bakyt RAKHIMBEKOVA, PhD Candidate DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AT THE REGIONAL AND LO-CAL LEVELS IN THE CONTEXT OF DECENTRALIZATION: THE CASE OF FOUR UKRAINIAN REGIONS Abstract: This article examines the democratization of the Ukrainian political system at the regional and local levels in the context of decentralization reform. The level of democratization is measured using the Tatu Vanhanen measurement method (Tatu Vanhanen Index), which is a mathematical formula for multiplying the percentage of votes not received by the ruling party (coali-tion of parties) in regional and local elections to representative bodies by the percentage of voter turnout. For the study, four regions of Ukraine were selected: Lviv region, Kharkiv region, Kherson region and Chernihiv region, as well as their administra-tive centres, meeting both the criteria of geographical location (north, south, west, east), population size (large regions, with a population of several million people, as well as small regions, with a population of less than 1 million people), as well as traditional political preferences of a significant part of citizens (relatively “pro-European” and relatively “pro-Russian”). The study showed that in most of the regions we studied, the democracy index decreased after the start of the reform, but then increased again after the next electoral cycle. Most of the regions we studied have similar dynamics of changes in the democracy index over three electoral cycles. Secondly, the study found that in most of the studied regions, the democracy index at the regional level as a whole is slightly higher than the democracy index at the level of their administrative centres. The exception, in both cases, is the Kharkiv region and Kharkiv, which have a trend directly opposite to other regions. The study concludes with a recommendation to re-evaluate the level of democracy at the regional and local levels after the next local elections, to gain a more objective dynamic picture. 4. Halim BAJRAKTARI, PhD, Valeri QATANI, Researcher GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: CHALLENGES BETWEEN LAW AND REALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION EFFORTS Abstract: Gender equality, as one of the principles of democracy, is the equal treatment of all, excluding differences based on gender. Achieving social equality without any distinction contributes to the respect of freedoms and human rights, therefore globally equal gender treatment in different segments adds to the values of democracy. But what is the legal perspective of gender equality in the countries of the Western Balkans, how far has the principle of equality been established in practice for the countries of the Western Balkans and what are the advantages that are evidenced by equal gender treatment in different fields and how the same can have an impact on the society of the countries of the Western Balkans?! Considering that the countries of the Western Balkans aim for their integration in the EU, the dilemma will be whether they can rely on the strategies that the EU has to establish the principle of equality, knowing that the EU has a backlog in terms of equal gender treatment. The dynamics of gender equality in the countries of the Western Balkans is the duty of these countries and a condition on the road to EU membership. 5. Belina BUDINI, PhD FROM PERCEPTION TO REALITY: MEDIA’S ROLE IN SHAPING ALBANIA’S COUNTRY IMAGE THROUGH TIME MAGAZINE Abstract:The continuity of a same view about Albania as an international media subject through time was related to the media construction process and its role in shaping the country’s perceptions and images. This article delves into media archives to conduct a systematic analysis of Time magazine’s representations of Albania as a subject. The prevailing perception is that of a country that is continually troubled and unusual, regardless of the distinct historical periods from 1923 to 2023. This article further argues that the centennial portrayals of Albania as a chaotic, strange, and conflict-ridden country, one that seems perpetually ensnared in a cycle of crises, have influenced how both the nation and its people are perceived. Such representations extend to its urban and rural landscapes, as well as its geographical characteristics. Consequently, these narratives contribute to a broader perception of Albania as an aberrant territory, characterized by instability and disorder. From a comparative perspective along the three periods, research showed that the early discourse of an Albanian anomaly during 1924-1944, deepened further during the communist regime period from 1945 to 1989, and it was recycled again after the transition to democracy in the ’90’s, to continue until nowadays. However, the photo representations in the photo gallery sections of Time online not only showcase a continuity of themes such as exoticism and political unrest, but they also highlight a growing interest in the human stories and the cultural and natural heritage of the country. 6. Monica MERUȚIU, PhD, Florina CALOIANU, PhD Student (DIS)TRUSTING NATO? PERCEPTIONS OF YOUTH IN ROMANIA AND TÜRKIYE AMID THE WAR IN UKRAINE Abstract: The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has profoundly affected global security and international relations, partic-ularly influencing perceptions of trust in institutions such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This study investigates the level of (dis)trust in NATO among citizens, especially youth, in Romania and Türkiye—two strategic NATO member states—within the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape. Romania, with its border shared with Ukraine, and Türkiye, with its historically complex relationship with the Alliance, provide unique case studies for understanding public sentiment towards NATO amidst Russia’s aggression. The research methodology integrates a dual approach, thus the qualitative component will involve a theoretical framework and a comparative analysis, examining data from the Eurobarometer reports and other surveys to assess changes before and after the invasion of Ukraine, while the quantitative component consists of a questionnaire administered to students from Romania and Türkiye across various fields of study, including international relations, diplomacy, political science, history, economics, languages, and engi-neering. The findings highlight the intricate and multifaceted nature of trust in international organizations, particularly during times of conflict. They underscore how trust can be influenced by shifting geopolitical dynamics and varying national contexts. 7. Nataliya ANTONYUK, PhD, Oksana KRAYEVSKA, PhD Candidate PROBLEMS AND SPHERES OF ACTIVITY OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT BODIES IN THE REGIONS OF UKRAINE LIBERATED FROM RUSSIAN OCCUPATION Abstract: The article examines the legal, organisational, security, socio-economic, humanitarian, cultural, international and other aspects of the formation and operation of local self-government bodies (LSGs) in the territories of certain regions of Ukraine liberated from Russian occupation, in the period from spring 2022 to summer 2024, that is, from the time of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine until now. Initiatives and areas of activity of territorial communities and city, village and village councils are studied. The conditions for resuming the activities of local government, guaranteeing the safety of the population, countering repeated attacks by Russian interventionists and demining territories, establishing energy and gas supply, providing citizens with housing and all the necessary services of the communal sphere have been studied. Issues of financial and humanitarian assistance, participation of local self-government bodies in seeking support from foreign partners, involvement in various forms and programs of foreign cooperation are considered. Therefore, the main objective of the article is to analyse the functioning, challenges, and roles of local self-government bodies in Ukraine under the conditions of military occupation and liberation. It emphasises the importance of maintaining local governance to ensure effective administration, provision of public services, and recovery in the war-affected regions. In addition, the article addresses legal and institutional frameworks affecting the balance of power between local authorities and state administrations during martial law. The article uses a methodological approach that integrates legal analysis, the study of adminis-trative practices, and case studies focused on Ukrainian regions operating under martial law. 8. Andreas THEOFILIS, PhD candidate INTEGRATION OR DIFFERENTIATION: A NEOFUNCTIONALIST ACCOUNT OF THE EU’S DEFENCE STRUCTURE USING FUZZY SETS Abstract: The EU makes efforts to strengthen its capabilities in security and defence. This article sheds light on the trends of the defence element of the CSDP regarding integration or differentiation through an approach that embodies both qualitative and quantitative features. It is based on examining official EU documents from 1992 to 2020 using fuzzy sets to reveal if and how these documents reflect integration dynamics in discrete dimensions (political, procedural, economic, and military) that all together co-formulate the EU’s defence complex. Advancing a neofunctional analysis, this article argues that there is a positive stance for cooperation in defence matters without bestowing new competencies to supranational entities, thus pointing to differentiation rooted in a dominant retrenching option, following Schmitter’s elaborated version of the spillover effect. Nevertheless, cultivated and func-tional spillover signs are also found. These signs might push for full integration differently in each discrete dimension of the overall defence structure by generating non-negligible spillover effects. 9. Roxana-Maria NISTOR, PhD SHAPING MINDS THROUGH DISCOURSE: PROPAGANDA NARRATIVES IN MOLDOVA’S 2024 ELECTIONS Abstract: This study analyses the propagandistic narratives and the discursive strategies used by the pro-Russian political parties / groups in the Republic of Moldova during the week preceding the presidential elections and the referendum. The analysis focuses on the ȘOR Party, the PSRM, the PCRM, who have actively used their platforms for the dissemination of anti-European Union narratives and for the promotion of scepticism towards the pro-European government. By using content and discourse anal-ysis, our research identifies the main rhetorical tools, and the main logical fallacies used to manipulate public perception. Building on theoretical frameworks such as the Agenda-Setting Theory and the 4Ds of disinformation, our study manages to uncover the recurrent narratives employed, as well as the efforts of these parties made to exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of their audience, thereby sowing fear, confusion, and disunion.