“垄断”与“共享”:美国延伸核威慑的亚欧差异

对外实施“延伸核威慑”,是美国建设和维系同盟的基础工具,但在不同地区的实践模式却有显著差异。20世纪50年代末开始,美国为解决在欧洲开展延伸核威慑遭遇的“可信度”缺陷难题,逐步构建起北约“核共享”机制。在同期东亚的延伸核威慑中,美国不仅未向日韩推介类似方案,反而继续固守“核垄断”模式。日韩与美国相对更大的权力差距、关键时期缺乏重大危机,是妨碍美日和美韩同盟建立北约式“核共享”的两大主要因素,而前者更具决定意义。美国在冷战后从东亚撤出所有陆基战术核武器,关闭了日韩争取“核共享”的机会之窗,但在如今全球变局与地区秩序加速演进的大势下,不能完全排除美国未来大幅改造东亚延伸核威慑模式的可能。

伊拉克战争 改变欧洲和中东的地缘政治

伊拉克战争使美国把欧洲国家分为“老欧洲”和“新欧洲”。在欧盟内部制造分裂,更使美国与欧洲的裂痕长期化、复杂化。冷战结束后,美国进行的四次局部战争都显示了美国与欧洲盟国的战略利益和战略目标渐行渐远。同时这场战争也使阿拉伯国家将进一步分裂,除了海湾地区的几个小国以外,伊拉克也加入到中东的亲美派阵营中来。美国为了进一步打击和削弱反美派阵营,将继续扩大阿拉伯国家内部的分歧和裂痕。

土尔其:何时才能握住“欧盟”的手?

2002年12月12日，欧盟历史上规模最大的扩大问题首脑会议在丹麦首都——哥本哈根拉开了帷幕。等待入盟的10个候选国爱沙尼亚、拉脱维亚、立陶宛、波兰、捷克共和国、斯洛伐克、匈牙利、斯洛文尼亚、马耳他和塞浦路斯，将在此次会议上结束所有领域的入盟淡判，并且将于2004年5月1日正式加盟。而同为候选的土耳其，又一次名落孙山。欧盟委员会在报告中认为它必须进一步改善其政治、经济和其它条件后，方有资格开始入盟谈判。

Biosystems Engineering Curricula in Europe

This paper describes the history of the harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs in Europe from 1989, when the need for this process was widely felt, until now, when this need was partly satisfied through the implementation of the projects of two EU funded thematic networks, i.e., USAEE-TN and ERABEE-TN. The objective of this paper is to contribute to promote, in each EU country and elsewhere, the process of harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and student and graduate mobility within the EU, as well as between the EU and the USA. At present, in Europe, this harmonisation process is aided by the key results of the projects of USAEE-TN, ERABEE-TN and POMSEBES. USAEE developed some core curricula, to be used as benchmarks for European agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and a web-based database of these study programs. ERABEE promoted the transition from agricultural engineering to biosystems engineering and established the recognition procedures of new European study programs in biosystems engineering. The EU-US POMSEBES consortium built up a platform for exchange of experiences and ideas between the USA and the EU, aimed at： enhancing the quality and linkage of research and education; establishing appropriate policy oriented measures; promoting compatible degree study programs in biosystems engineering, within the EU as well as between the EU and the USA.

International Public Sector Accounting Standards （IPSAS） Implementation in the European Union （EU） Member States

The aim of this paper is to analyze the implementation level of International Public Sector Accounting Standards （IPSAS） in the member states of the European Union （EU）. After an introduction of the legislative framework in the EU and a review of the literature about the implementation of IPSAS in the EU member states, this paper classifies, on the basis of a survey, the states according to their formal implementation levels of IPSAS. It also analyzes the types of accounting （cash basis accounting, modified cash basis accotmting, accrual accounting, and modified accrual basis accounting） used by the states studied. The survey shows that there are important disparities among the member states, both for the application of IPSAS and for the type of accounting that is used. Furthermore, it appears that even if IPSAS is not legally adopted in most European member states, there is a tendency to use modern accounting systems based on accrual accounting close to IPSAS.

The Eurozone： North and South 1999-2010 Some Thoughts About the Long Term Dynamic Forces in the EMU

Do Eurozone＇s countries converge or diverge over time？ In this paper, the issue of the Eurozone cohesion is analyzed, with emphasis on the North-South axis. The dynamics of 10 economic variables covered the general performance （GDP, consumption）, price environment （prices and interest rates）, both public and private financial variables and competitiveness （real effective exchange rates, unit labor costs etc.）. The complex analysis of the data indicates that whereas in the most of analyzed variables neither convergence nor divergence can be identified, in the all important competitiveness area the long term divergence between the North and the South of the Eurozone is undeniable. Unless addressed, this dynamics may constitute significant, and perhaps ultimate, threats to the Eurozone cohesion and perhaps to its existence.

Value-Added Tax （VAT） on Selected Financial Transactions

This paper deals with the approach to imposing value-added tax （VAT） on financial transactions. The VAT is a highly harmonized consumption tax within the European Union （EU）. VAT operational rules have been set down by the relevant directive of the Council of the EU. Under the directive, it is possible to select either exemption or taxation of financial transactions. Only the first option is permitted in the Czech Republic. Pros and cons of both models are described, in particular, the problems with determining the difference between financial transactions and other similar performance that must always be subject to tax. Potential lower VAT revenue or tax base assessment, as appropriate, seems to be crucial in the case of the taxation of financial transactions.

Analysis of the EU's Security-Development Nexus Aid Policy in Africa and Agenda 2063

With the security situation in Africa looking pessimistic since the beginning of the 21st century, the EU has adjusted its ODA policy in Africa by linking it to security issues. The EU has been carrying out a number of security-development aid projects and these have seen some positive results. However, shortcomings have been identified. Even so, it is of historic significance that African nations are working more closely with the EU in the areas of security and aid under the framework of Agenda 2063.

The Requirements for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Croatia and the European Union

Small and medium enterprises are the main institutional medium of the European economy. This is also recognized by the government of the Republic of Croatia, which emphasizes their importance and values their dynamism and capability for revitalizing the Croatian economy, and supports this by ways of subsidies. But, for all the effort, the economic position of small and medium enterprises in the terms of globalization is becoming more complex and uncertain, limited by time and more demanding. This does not correspond with the thesis which states that in the environment and conditions of the modem market economy, which is dynamised by progress in science, technology, information and communication, entrepreneurship has manifested a progressive dimension with the character and needs of all economic activity, as well as a tendency to achieve set objectives and generate change. Recently, after the repeated recession, which was encumbered by the effects of the one before, the conditions of doing business and survival for small and medium enterprises have changed significantly in a negative sense. So, there is a justified cause for questioning earlier stances about small and medium enterprises and their capability to be a motor of development of the Croatian economy, as well as to reevaluate their influence in the context of GDP growth, to focus on the importance and prevalence of certain sectors of the economy, to critically evaluate economic measures which do not lead to a reduction in unemployment and to define the requirements for future development of the small and medium enterprises, which implicates the increased economic efficiency, quality and living standards.

From Regional to Intercontinental Trade： The Successive European Trade Empires From the 16th to the 18thCentury in Asia

For a very long time, the areas available for continuous long-distance trade were limited to territories of Braudel＇s Mediterrande （1949）. Whatever the commercial organizations （merchants in the Roman or the Fatimid Empires, the Hanseatic League, the Florentine Companies） were, their trade was not able to directly handle branches more than a month＇s sailing from their main base （in the best conditions）. During the three centuries after Vasco de Gama had reached India, European trading areas dramatically expanded to the shores of Asia, and a long period of harsh competition set the East India Companies of the main European powers of the time against one another. What were the elements that allowed these companies to maintain transactions over such vast areas？ And why were some of these companies far more successful than the others？ A large set of secondary sources focusing on one company or on a particular aspect of trade （Chauduri, 1978; Israel, 1989; Subrahmanyan, 1993; Ames, 1996） exist, however, none of them treat their successive successes and failures. The aim of this paper is to briefly review these sources, to extract information from them and to compare the economic adaptations and innovations that allowed these companies to be the greatest of their time.

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of the EU＇s Anti- Dumping Measures against China

Chinese products are major targets of the European Union （ EU）＇s anti-dumping measures. By making an empirical analysis using official data published by the Statistical Office of the European Commission （ Eurostat）, the authors conclude the EU＇s anti-dumping actions may not necessarity be helpful, Instead, the actions impose a high cost on EU consummers and make EU enterprises＇ costs rise.Eventually, Chinese enterprises will suffer a heavy toll and EU enterprises will also suffer from weakened competiveness.

Cyprus, the European Union and the Recent Crisis： Inspiration for New Processes of Convergence or Incentive for Regional Disparities？

In the EU （European Union）, Cyprus＇s problems aren＇t new. Ten years later, the same debate is being held all over again, just from a different point of view. It is emblematic of this current financial crisis because the banking system is much bigger than GDP （Gross Domestic Product）. Setting aside the sluggish economic performance, as well as the usual gap between northern and southern regions, people are uncomfortable with the EU. Getting the EU to finance a deficit is very tempting because it seems to be a politically and socially painless option, but can we count on the EU to devise such a smoothly running system？ Cyprus is interesting on many levels, from the debate concerning the limits of cohesion policy to the need of finding new solutions for the European periphery. It raises the question of whether a real fiscal and political union is possible, in light of the actual geoeconomic and geopolitical dynamics among the EU, Turkey, and Russia. The aim of this paper is to explore the possible mechanisms for an integration of Cyprus in order to go beyond fiscal burden sharing. It is an important starting point to paving the way to new policies and strategies for changing the objectives of economic convergence.

Durban Conference and Carbon Emission Challenge for China

In recent years,with the soaring development of its national strength,China has made the world hear its voice and gained strength in negotiations.However,China is still confronting huge pressure placed by the dominant western countries.During the Durban Conference,three main groups,namely the EU(Europe Union),the Umbrella Group,and the Group of 77 and China,played important roles,among which China is outstanding but is bearing a huge corresponding pressure on carbon emission reduction.China must continue to reinforce the coordination among those emerging developing countries and strive for the status and negotiation rights it deserves.Since energy conservation and emissions reduction is a key component of China's strategy for sustainable development,China should consider the low-carbon economy as an opportunity for development,strongly promote the development of clean energy technology and occupy the international strategic highland of the world economy.

Multidimensional Analysis of Social Convergence Within the European Union Countries

Social convergence is one of the most important objectives for European integration. It is understood as a process of cohesion and assimilation of countries in the area of social development, which is the conditions and standards of living of the citizens of the European countries （EU27）. The aim of the article was to investigate whether there is convergence or divergence in the EU27 area, taking into account multidimensional analysis of social convergence. Methodology used in the article was taxonomic and statistical tool. It allowed applying the synthetic approach to the issue. The time taken into consideration was the period of 2000-2013. The article showed that the area of the EU27 is very diversified in terms of social development. It allows indicating five groups of countries similar to each other due to the level of social development, although the differences among the groups are significant. The analysis of convergence led to the conclusion that the process of ＂catching up＂ occurred until 2007. Then this process has stopped and even divergence trends are visible due to crisis 2008/2009. The period of 2008-2011 revealed the greatest disparities of development among the EU countries.

Human Resources Development and Migration： New Potential Determinants for Monetary Policy

The main objective of the present paper is to determine the potential impact the qualitative and quantitative tendencies in the labor market on the decisions which influence the design of monetary policy worldwide. The analysis is focused on how human resources and phenomena associated with them could influence potential growth and, further on, how they can impact monetary policy decisions at national level for European countries outside the euro area and at ECB level for the euro zone countries. Moreover, the paper will envisage potential macroeconomic reactions （monetary decisions herewith included） to human resources dynamics. The economic variations are regarded through the perspective of growth potential shown by the Research ＆ Development sector and also through the effects of labor force migration. The analysis of statistical data aims at pointing out the different economic perspectives in the European Union, the United States, and Japan, also considering the disparities between EU member states. The analysis is completed by the use of the ranking method, the conclusions stating once more the crucial importance of the human factor in drawing monetary policy decisions

The Challenges of the European Union＇s Migration and Integration Policy-The Road to a Common Immigration Policy

This study is about the main problem of the European Union arising from the social status of migrant or migrant background population. It is trying to reveal the real causes, why migrants have difficulties in adapting to the conventions of the receiver countries. The study also focuses on three main questions： the social status of women, public education, and the anomalies of the labour market. It is also trying to find the possible way for the EU communities how to establish and develop a common immigration policy, which can solve the problem in an integrated package system and also fit into the characteristic features of the member-states. This paper is going to give an overview on issues affecting both migrant and migrant-originated communities and is going to analyse cause-reason connections. We also must find efficient responses adequate for applying as strategies for tackling challenges of this nature, which Hungary performs its EU Presidency in first term of the year 2011.

Education and sustainable development in Romania and the European Union countries

The sustainable development supposes a development strategy that would ensure the interdependence and complementarily of objectives from the social, economic and environmental fields. The degree of priority established for the three dimensions of sustainable development differs from one country to another, a fact that confers a national and local meaning to this issue. For the Central and Eastern European countries, balanced economic development represents one of the fundamental objectives of the reforms started in 1990. Education represents a priority of any country＇s economic development and an extremely important element of economic growth. This paper presents the characteristics of the Romanian educational system while achieving a comparative analysis regarding different countries of the European Union, both from a quantitative viewpoint （using the main indicators in the education field） and a qualitative viewpoint （using student performances in international evaluations）. In the end, we present some proposals for the improvement of the present state of the Romanian educational system.

Overview of Safety Risk Perception in Construction

Construction industry is a generally risky business; it remains one of the most dirty, difficult and dangerous with poor working conditions. Despite recent efforts to improve site safety, it still accounts for a disproportionate number of occupational-related fatalities what is supported by statistics. According to the International Labour Organization, it accounts for 30-40% of the world＇s fatal injuries. In The European Union around thirteen employees out of every one hundred thousands are killed each year. Hence, construction site safety is a matter of global concern. However it is not easy to describe and define how to deport safely at some actual site because the workers are exposed to many safety risks varying in con^nection with conditions of the construction realization and with technologies using. The paper provides a brief knowledge from the study comparing the construction safety in Europe and North America referencing to presented statistics. There are also analyzed, described and systemized the principal groups of construction safety risks; described the interdependencies among safety risks, affecting by spatial, technological and time parameters of the building process, as well as by the site conditions.