Suchergebnisse

Foreign aid is a hotly debated issue in political science. Its normative evaluations range from very positive to strictly negative. Recent studies have shed light on the difference between effects of foreign aid in Cold War and post-Cold War periods, as well as a crucial distinction between democratic and authoritarian aid. This article examines the relationship between foreign aid and democratization in countries affected by the Arab Awakening. Democratic and authoritarian aid flows of 1990-2009 are compared and cluster analysis is performed to group countries according to received aid. Results obtained show that such statistical computation groups countries more or less in accord with the processes of regime change that they have undergone during the Arab Awakening. These findings further support the thesis that effects of foreign aid depend on the type of donor states. If more aid came from democratic sources the country is more likely to experience regime change and if its funding came from authoritarian sources, the regime becomes more entrenched. This research, however, does not fully answer the question, whether aid itself influences the likelihood of transition or democratic countries are more likely to support those countries that already are on the edge of transition. It seems that the former theory is better supported, but further research is needed to solve this problem.

The extreme hydrological phenomena of rivers (spring floods and flash floods of summer and autumn seasons) were carried out according to the geographical and climatic conditions of Lithuania. The statistical methods were applied for analysis of the flood patterns changes in the past and hydrological modelling were used for floods projections in 21st century. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) laying down the framework for Community action in the field of water policy and directive on the assessment and management of flood risks (2007/60/EC) require that country policy makers and decision-makers take into account the changes in water resources in relation to climate change when assessing the risks of future floods and invite them to regularly update their projections using the newest generation climate scenarios. In this work, the created methodology of floods projection (adjusted in Lithuanian conditions) based on RCP climate scenarios allowed to assess the potential impact of climate change on spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season in near (2016-2035) and far (2081-2100) future. After the evaluation of uncertainties of projections, the recommendations and proposals for the preparation of documents for the protection and management of resources of water bodies were created. Also mentioned methodology for projections of spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season can be applied for the river catchments from the South-Eastern Baltic Sea region with similar physico-geographical and climatic features, like in selected river catchments of this thesis.

The extreme hydrological phenomena of rivers (spring floods and flash floods of summer and autumn seasons) were carried out according to the geographical and climatic conditions of Lithuania. The statistical methods were applied for analysis of the flood patterns changes in the past and hydrological modelling were used for floods projections in 21st century. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) laying down the framework for Community action in the field of water policy and directive on the assessment and management of flood risks (2007/60/EC) require that country policy makers and decision-makers take into account the changes in water resources in relation to climate change when assessing the risks of future floods and invite them to regularly update their projections using the newest generation climate scenarios. In this work, the created methodology of floods projection (adjusted in Lithuanian conditions) based on RCP climate scenarios allowed to assess the potential impact of climate change on spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season in near (2016-2035) and far (2081-2100) future. After the evaluation of uncertainties of projections, the recommendations and proposals for the preparation of documents for the protection and management of resources of water bodies were created. Also mentioned methodology for projections of spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season can be applied for the river catchments from the South-Eastern Baltic Sea region with similar physico-geographical and climatic features, like in selected river catchments of this thesis.

The extreme hydrological phenomena of rivers (spring floods and flash floods of summer and autumn seasons) were carried out according to the geographical and climatic conditions of Lithuania. The statistical methods were applied for analysis of the flood patterns changes in the past and hydrological modelling were used for floods projections in 21st century. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) laying down the framework for Community action in the field of water policy and directive on the assessment and management of flood risks (2007/60/EC) require that country policy makers and decision-makers take into account the changes in water resources in relation to climate change when assessing the risks of future floods and invite them to regularly update their projections using the newest generation climate scenarios. In this work, the created methodology of floods projection (adjusted in Lithuanian conditions) based on RCP climate scenarios allowed to assess the potential impact of climate change on spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season in near (2016-2035) and far (2081-2100) future. After the evaluation of uncertainties of projections, the recommendations and proposals for the preparation of documents for the protection and management of resources of water bodies were created. Also mentioned methodology for projections of spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season can be applied for the river catchments from the South-Eastern Baltic Sea region with similar physico-geographical and climatic features, like in selected river catchments of this thesis.

The extreme hydrological phenomena of rivers (spring floods and flash floods of summer and autumn seasons) were carried out according to the geographical and climatic conditions of Lithuania. The statistical methods were applied for analysis of the flood patterns changes in the past and hydrological modelling were used for floods projections in 21st century. EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) laying down the framework for Community action in the field of water policy and directive on the assessment and management of flood risks (2007/60/EC) require that country policy makers and decision-makers take into account the changes in water resources in relation to climate change when assessing the risks of future floods and invite them to regularly update their projections using the newest generation climate scenarios. In this work, the created methodology of floods projection (adjusted in Lithuanian conditions) based on RCP climate scenarios allowed to assess the potential impact of climate change on spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season in near (2016-2035) and far (2081-2100) future. After the evaluation of uncertainties of projections, the recommendations and proposals for the preparation of documents for the protection and management of resources of water bodies were created. Also mentioned methodology for projections of spring floods and flash floods of summer-autumn season can be applied for the river catchments from the South-Eastern Baltic Sea region with similar physico-geographical and climatic features, like in selected river catchments of this thesis.

Abstract The interest of academic society in analysing professional youth expectations and comparing them with labour market demand is natu­ral since the role of uni­versi­ties in the creation of knowledge society as well as the ini­tiation and implementation of regional changes is growing. Such researches help to determi­ne youth career counselling and advi­ce, and marketing orientations in insti­tu­tions of higher edu­cation as the lack of prognosis of long-term si­tu­ation in labour market is felt. The article presents the survey dealing with the schoolchildren's from higher grades in secondary schools as well as gymnasiums in North-western Lithu­ania interest in areas of stu­dies. 2957 children from higher grades in 83 schools were interviewed in au­tumn 2010 – spring 2011. The results indi­cate that the effect on the children's interest is made by the type of school, class or, in sporadic cases, the region.

Abstract The interest of academic society in analysing professional youth expectations and comparing them with labour market demand is natu­ral since the role of uni­versi­ties in the creation of knowledge society as well as the ini­tiation and implementation of regional changes is growing. Such researches help to determi­ne youth career counselling and advi­ce, and marketing orientations in insti­tu­tions of higher edu­cation as the lack of prognosis of long-term si­tu­ation in labour market is felt. The article presents the survey dealing with the schoolchildren's from higher grades in secondary schools as well as gymnasiums in North-western Lithu­ania interest in areas of stu­dies. 2957 children from higher grades in 83 schools were interviewed in au­tumn 2010 – spring 2011. The results indi­cate that the effect on the children's interest is made by the type of school, class or, in sporadic cases, the region.

The thesis explores the postcolonial failures in the Middle East through a case study of Syria. Syria like the whole Middle East as we know it nowadays is a state and region of imagination drafted by the colonial Europe after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Author defines the concept of postcolonial state of Syria and argues that after the Arab upheaval, Syria as a postcolonial state does not exist anymore. Since the "Arab Spring" Syria got dragged into an ongoing civil war and the Assad regime has refused to go down peacefully. The conflict broke out in 2011 hence the developments in Syria through 2011-2015 are the key interest for the study, however in their analysis author has to take into account the historical context and certain vital developments in Syrian history. Currently, Syrian government is unable to deliver the basic services to its population and thus has been regarded as a failed state. Author analyzes the concept of the failed state, its application in Syrian case and attempts to understand what factors led to the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria. The study builds on an argument that postcolonial state of Syria has failed due to the foundational problems and the failure of the national identity, accompanied with the involvement of external actors, which are further prolonging the conflict. Author tries to examine to what extent have those actors promoted or undermined the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria and further sectarianization of the country. Theories of National identity failure and Constructivism are used as a theoretical framework to guide the whole research; with the former providing the explanation of the failure of the Syrian state and the latter addressing the logic behind the involvement of external actors and assists in generalizing the pattern detected in Syria over the whole Middle East, examining whether postcolonial Middle East has ended in light of Syrian case and given way to the emergence of New Middle East.

The thesis explores the postcolonial failures in the Middle East through a case study of Syria. Syria like the whole Middle East as we know it nowadays is a state and region of imagination drafted by the colonial Europe after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Author defines the concept of postcolonial state of Syria and argues that after the Arab upheaval, Syria as a postcolonial state does not exist anymore. Since the "Arab Spring" Syria got dragged into an ongoing civil war and the Assad regime has refused to go down peacefully. The conflict broke out in 2011 hence the developments in Syria through 2011-2015 are the key interest for the study, however in their analysis author has to take into account the historical context and certain vital developments in Syrian history. Currently, Syrian government is unable to deliver the basic services to its population and thus has been regarded as a failed state. Author analyzes the concept of the failed state, its application in Syrian case and attempts to understand what factors led to the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria. The study builds on an argument that postcolonial state of Syria has failed due to the foundational problems and the failure of the national identity, accompanied with the involvement of external actors, which are further prolonging the conflict. Author tries to examine to what extent have those actors promoted or undermined the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria and further sectarianization of the country. Theories of National identity failure and Constructivism are used as a theoretical framework to guide the whole research; with the former providing the explanation of the failure of the Syrian state and the latter addressing the logic behind the involvement of external actors and assists in generalizing the pattern detected in Syria over the whole Middle East, examining whether postcolonial Middle East has ended in light of Syrian case and given way to the emergence of New Middle East.

The thesis explores the postcolonial failures in the Middle East through a case study of Syria. Syria like the whole Middle East as we know it nowadays is a state and region of imagination drafted by the colonial Europe after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Author defines the concept of postcolonial state of Syria and argues that after the Arab upheaval, Syria as a postcolonial state does not exist anymore. Since the "Arab Spring" Syria got dragged into an ongoing civil war and the Assad regime has refused to go down peacefully. The conflict broke out in 2011 hence the developments in Syria through 2011-2015 are the key interest for the study, however in their analysis author has to take into account the historical context and certain vital developments in Syrian history. Currently, Syrian government is unable to deliver the basic services to its population and thus has been regarded as a failed state. Author analyzes the concept of the failed state, its application in Syrian case and attempts to understand what factors led to the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria. The study builds on an argument that postcolonial state of Syria has failed due to the foundational problems and the failure of the national identity, accompanied with the involvement of external actors, which are further prolonging the conflict. Author tries to examine to what extent have those actors promoted or undermined the failure of the postcolonial state of Syria and further sectarianization of the country. Theories of National identity failure and Constructivism are used as a theoretical framework to guide the whole research; with the former providing the explanation of the failure of the Syrian state and the latter addressing the logic behind the involvement of external actors and assists in generalizing the pattern detected in Syria over the whole Middle East, examining whether postcolonial Middle East has ended in light of Syrian case and given way to the emergence of New Middle East.

More than 130 years of shared history between France and Algeria followed by one of the most brutal wars of decolonization in 1962 generated important developments in both countries and their self-perceptions. However, immediately after the war, France began a policy of "national amnesia" towards the memories of Algeria. There is a "halo effect" that imputes an Algerian origin to any Arab-looking individual. Thus, since the biggest part of Arabs in France are of North African descent, in this research, Algeria is seen as a medium through which France perceives its Arab part of identity. The fact that the shared history with Algeria, memories and France's wrongdoings during the war were not included in the national narrative of France had negatively influenced France's ability to integrate its Arab population. The awareness of its own growing pluralism and inability to accept it has created an identity crisis. This article attempts to address this particular issue.

More than 130 years of shared history between France and Algeria followed by one of the most brutal wars of decolonization in 1962 generated important developments in both countries and their self-perceptions. However, immediately after the war, France began a policy of "national amnesia" towards the memories of Algeria. There is a "halo effect" that imputes an Algerian origin to any Arab-looking individual. Thus, since the biggest part of Arabs in France are of North African descent, in this research, Algeria is seen as a medium through which France perceives its Arab part of identity. The fact that the shared history with Algeria, memories and France's wrongdoings during the war were not included in the national narrative of France had negatively influenced France's ability to integrate its Arab population. The awareness of its own growing pluralism and inability to accept it has created an identity crisis. This article attempts to address this particular issue.