Suchergebnisse

"The constitution of a European demos with a collective identity is one of the preconditions for adjusting the legitimacy problem of the European Union (EU). The analysis attempts to clarify empirically whether there is sufficient commonality regarding Europeans' political value orientations to substantiate a collective identity. Particularly in view of the European Union's eastward enlargement, the question arises whether widespread cultural heterogeneity in Europe allows the formation of a European demos at all. In Europe we can identify a West-East axis of political value orientations. Democratic attitudes decrease the further to the East while at the same time there is an increase in etatist orientations. Thresholds can be observed which distinguish western European countries on the one hand and central and eastern European countries on the other. Within the group of central and eastern Europe a further distinction can be made between the three Slavic republics of the former Soviet Union and the rest of the countries. These findings support Huntington's theory of civilizations." (author's abstract)

The human body and its parts are widely perceived as matters beyond commercial usage. This belief is codified in several national and European documents. This socalled 'no-property rule' is held to be the default position across the countries of the European Union. However, a closer look at the most pertinent national and European documents, and also current practices in the field, reveals a gradual model of commercialisation of human tissue. In particular, we will argue that the ban on commercialisation of body material is not as strict as it may appear at first sight, leaving room for the commercial practice of tissue procurement and transfer. We argue for more transparent information for patients and tissue donors, an intensified ethical debate on commercialisation practices, and a critical review of current normative principles. ; peerReviewed

Cover ; Table of Contents; Preface: From "What Europe" to "Why Europe". Insights into the Consequences of EU Overlapping Crises (Alina Bârgăoanu / Raluca Buturoiu / Loredana Radu); Section 1: Media Coverage of the European Union in Turmoil Contexts. Prevailing Frames and Competing Narratives; Is the Refugee Crisis Shaping Different Representations of the EU? Narratives of Europeanization in Pan- European vs. National Online Media (Flavia Alupei-Durach / Paul Dobrescu / Loredana Radu).

This study examines the relationship between consumer confidence, personal consumption, and other relevant economic and financial variables for 9 European Union countries. It is argued that consumer confidence is an early indicator of future rates of growth in an economy through the consumption channel. Therefore, an increase in consumer confidence should translate into higher rates of consumption in the future, leading to a possible rise in economic growth. Our panel data analysis, conducting panel unit root tests and panel cointegration tests, tries to measure the effects of changes in consumer sentiment on personal consumption expenditures while accounting for other significant economic and financial variables such as stock exchange index, real exchange rates and interest rates. The empirical findings show the existence of a long‐run relationship. Thus, consumers are able to detect early signals about future rates of economic growth as they contribute through the consumption channel. First Publish Online: 09 Jun 2011

This study examines the relationship between consumer confidence, personal consumption, and other relevant economic and financial variables for 9 European Union countries. It is argued that consumer confidence is an early indicator of future rates of growth in an economy through the consumption channel. Therefore, an increase in consumer confidence should translate into higher rates of consumption in the future, leading to a possible rise in economic growth. Our panel data analysis, conducting panel unit root tests and panel cointegration tests, tries to measure the effects of changes in consumer sentiment on personal consumption expenditures while accounting for other significant economic and financial variables such as stock exchange index, real exchange rates and interest rates. The empirical findings show the existence of a long‐run relationship. Thus, consumers are able to detect early signals about future rates of economic growth as they contribute through the consumption channel. First Publish Online: 09 Jun 2011

Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Acknowledgements -- 1 National Higher Courts and Processes of Ratification of European Union Treaties -- 2 Constructing a Model of Judicial Behavior: Theoretical Framework -- 3 EU Primary Law Before the Guardians of the Constitution: Courts' Decisions on the Merits -- 4 Kompetenz-Kompetenz-The Doctrine of the Last Say: The Interpretative Decisions of Courts -- 5 The Legal Dimension: Assessing Judicial Behaviour from the Viewpoint of Legal Rules -- 6 The Political Dimension: A Pro-ratification Context -- 7 The Judicial Dimension: Institutional Design and Decisional Dynamics -- 8 Judicial Behaviour as a Result of Complex Causation: A QCA Approach to the Juridical Dynamics of Treaty Ratification -- 9 Conclusions and Some Final Reflections -- 10 Methodological Appendix -- Index.

The two most recent EU enlargements in May 2004 and in January 2007 have greatly increased the diversity of historic experiences and contemporary conceptions of statehood, nation-building and citizenship within the Union. How did newly formed states determine who would become their citizens? How do countries relate to their large emigrant communities, to ethnic kin minorities in neighbouring countries and to minorities in their own territory? And to which extent have their citizenship policies been affected by new immigration and integration into the European Union? Citizenship Policies in the New Europe describes the citizenship laws in each of the twelve new countries as well as in the accession states Croatia and Turkey and analyses their historical background. Citizenship Policies in the New Europe complements two volumes on Acquisition and Loss of Nationality in the fifteen old Member States published in the same series in 2006.