Contemporary Europe, 2013 (vol. 2013), issue 1

Podpora lokálních partnerství trhu práce ve Španělsku ze strany EU

Promoting Local Partnerships on Labour Market in Spain by the European Union

Eva Homolová, Vít Hloušek

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):3-22  

The paper deals with the issue of promoting multi-level governance by the European Union, especially within coordinated policies. Using the example of employment policy in decentralized Spain, the authors are examining how the sub-national (i.e. regional and local) actors benefit thanks to the existence of European level of governance. Firstly, the division of competencies between different levels of government in Spain is analyzed. Secondly, the role of Territorial Employments Pacts as a formalized local partnership on labour market specially promoted by EU is explored. Further on the link to European Cohesion Policy is made by quantification of European...

Variace €-skepticismu: český vs. dánský případ

Variations of €-scepticism: Czech vs. Danish Case

Kamila Mouchová, Jan Němec

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):23-43  

This contribution reflects the recent debate about a shift of the European integration towards the so-called fiscal union. "Fiscal pact", which was negotiated and signed by majority of European Union member states at the beginning of 2012 in order to stabilize the common currency, became the most controversial step of the EU in last years. The pact was not signed by the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic; the resting 25 countries joined the treaty. The authors aim to explore the reasons of different attitudes towards the fiscal pact of governments of two countries which are often considered as representatives of a eurosceptic current - the Czech...

Transatlantické ekonomické vzťahy - prichádza čas na ich oživenie?

Transatlantic Economic Relations - Is the Time for their Resurgance Coming?

Jarolím Antal

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):45-59  

The economic relations between the EU and the US are considered the most significant part of the global economy. With the size of trade with goods, services and Foreign Direct Investment, the transatlantic space creates a large of added value. Regarding the proximity and historical ties between the regions, one might expect more efficient cooperation. This is also underlined by relatively low tariff barriers (2-5%). However in recent years, trade regulations have become an increasingly complex issue. The elimination of the divergent regulations is seen as possibly bringing mutual profits. In the light of the persisting economic and debt crisis in Europe,...

Mimosmluvní odpovědnost Evropské unie

Non-contractual Liability of the EU

Nicole Grmelová

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):61-71  

The non-contractual liability of the EU constitutes an obligation on the part of EU to compensate for damages caused by its bodies and/or agents acting within the scope of their official duties. Given the low number of successful applicants, the aim of this paper is to identify the conditions set by the Court of Justice of the EU with respect to the burden of proof to be borne by the applicant in order to prove the causal nexus between the (lack of) action of the EU and the damage caused by a breach of law by the EU. An analysis of these conditions shall be preceded by defining the procedural rules for lodging a claim for damages, i.e. in particular...

Veřejné dluhy zemí Evropské unie - vývoj a problémy v letech 2007 až 2011

The General Government Debts of EU Countries - Development and Problems from 2007 to 2011

Eva Karpová

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):73-100  

Deep general government debts have become a long term problem of many EU countries. Up to now some improvements have been shown during boom cycles or in consequence of extra ordinary circumstances and claims - for example during the euro area accession process. However some really conceptual and systematic changes in fiscal policy of the most deep indebted EU countries have been missing. The balances of general government budgets and that is why general government debts have been reflecting this fact. During the crisis (from 2008 to 2011) the extreme deteriorating situation became so much warning that the attitudes to solving the mentioned problems...

Konkurenceschopnost Evropské unie v procesu globalizace světové ekonomiky

EU Competitiveness in the World Economy Globalization Process

Michaela Staníčková, Lukáš Melecký

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):101-122  

In last few years, the topics about competitiveness stand in the front of economic research. The main reason for its importance is growing requirements for economic activities at different levels. These challenging requirements are caused by globalization processes in the world economy. Macroeconomic competitiveness affects many issues because of an advancing coherence of the world economy. Subsequently, countries must take the necessary steps to ensure a steady, continuing and intensive economic growth. European Union (EU) also faces to challenges of globalization. Competitiveness and needed reforms present the key factors to assessment EU position...

Krize legitimity Evropské unie - evropský démos v nedohledu

Crisis of the European Union Legitimacy - No European Demos in Sight

Štěpán Strnad

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):123-140  

The discussion on the relation of the European identity and the legitimacy of the European Union, including the questions of formation of the "Union" demos, or the influence of constructing EU's citizenship on the legitimization of the European integrating process has already become a permanent component of political and scholar discourse in a wider issue of the democratic EU deficit. In connection with this phenomenon we talk most frequently about its expressions such as the estrangement of integration processes from the public, the low election participation as well as the low level of general civic participation, the technocracy of resolution processes,...

Břidlicový plyn jako energetická alternativa EU

Shale Gas as an Energy Alternative in the EU

Ksenia Kostitsyna, Milan Vošta

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):141-155  

Over the last few years, there have been more and more talks about shale gas as a potential competitor for a conventional natural gas. Shale deposits are spread throughout the world. The major reserves have already been confirmed in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, India, China, as well as in some European countries, especially in Poland, Sweden and Austria. Also it has begun to talk about the "shale gas revolution" which could completely change the world flows of the energy resources, its prices development and quite affect the geopolitics of many regions. Nevertheless the shale gas production is not a simple process and it brings...

Koncepce švédské zahraniční politiky s důrazem na slučitelnost neutrality s členstvím v Evropské unii

The Conception of Swedish Foreign Policy with the Emphasis on Its Compatibility with the European Union

Martina Bohatová

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):157-168  

Neutrality has changed a lot during the historical development, which is obvious due to a large number of existing definitions. This thesis does not deal with neutrality in juridical sense but it takes neutrality as a political security conception which develops in the context. It addicts Swedish notion on neutrality and its compatibility with the membership in the European Union following the analysis of foreign policy and its changes in the time range 1997-2013. The article tries - based on the analysis of these primary resources - to point out how the Swedish government tries - being afraid of questioning the full participation of Sweden in European...

Veronika Fodorová, Martin Grančay, Nóra Szikorová a kolektív: Integrácia západného Balkánu a Turecka do Európskej únie - Knihy 1 a 2

Daniela Kurucová

Současná Evropa 2013, 2013(1):169-171  

Veronika Fodorová, Martin Grančay, Nóra Szikorová a kolektív: Integrácia západného Balkánu a Turecka do Európskej únie. Kniha 1 - komplexný pohlad. Bratislava: EKONÓM, 2012, 305 s. ISBN 978-80-225-3383-6 Martin Grančay, Nóra Szikorová a kolektív: Integrácia západného Balkánu a Turecka do Európskej únie. Kniha 2 - individuálny aspekt. Bratislava: EKONÓM, 2012, 229 s. ISBN 978-80-225-3374-4