Suchergebnisse

The present work is focused on approaching the origin, the principles & the course of action of two new proposals of regional integration in Latin America: the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (BAA) & the Southern Community of Nations (SCN), known nowadays like South American Nations Union (UNASUR). The named new proposals of the regional integration in the Latin American subsystem are studied from the perspective of the Autonomy Theory. We identify a kind of specific autonomy in each process of integration. We aim at proving that the BAA would suit the "secessionist autonomy" whereas the latter project, the SCN, could suit the "relational autonomy.". Adapted from the source document.

Issues related to "post-national democracy" are most clearly delineated in the context of a politically & economically integrating Europe. Post-national democracy in Europe should be conceptualized as an ongoing evolutionary process of democratization, with institutional arrangements being the contested focal point of that process. The absence of a demos will not stop the demands for greater citizen involvement in the governance of the European Union, an involvement which would increase the EU's legitimacy. The EU's lack of a common political community, however, will prevent it from developing a traditional government. The EU therefore will be characterized by governance without the kind of government found in national democracies. Nonetheless, an original executive institution will be constructed. The executive of the future will carry out many (but not all) of the key functions of an executive without, however, benefiting from the kind of legitimacy that national government executives enjoy. In institutional terms, the character of the executive will render European post-national democracy distinctive, & the electoral link between the citizenry & that executive will be the most contested issue as democratization proceeds. Institutional originality & innovation are likely, therefore, to continue to characterize the process of European integration. 106 References. Adapted from the source document.

The threats to the European Union (EU) posed by the disagreement between its members as to the voting & veto rules & the structure of a common defense policy within or outside NATO are examined. The question of how far the text of the proposed EU Constitution, drafted by the EU constitutional convention, contributes to the greater cohesion of this organization is addressed. It is noted that the perennial tensions between the proponents of a more united EU vs Euroskeptics have not been resolved, & seem only to become more intense as the organization enlarges with new members whose national interests override the best interest of a more cohesive EU; the pro-EU forces represent two-thirds of the current 15 nations composition of the EU but Euroskeptics will have 60% of votes when 10 new members join the organization in May 2004. The split already appearing on the issue of the role of NATO & its linkage to the EU is noted, examining the rationale behind the decision of Germany, France, Belgium, & Luxembourg to form a Union of European Defense & the proposals made by some EU politicians that the organization proceeds at "two different speeds." It is recognized that there persist two different views what the basic function of EU is: a primarily economic union furthering commerce between member states vs political organization projecting Europe as a geopolitical player, with the economic benefits as corollary. 1 Appendix. Z. Dubiel

In the introduction, the trade union & political career of Jacques Delors is analyzed up to his presidency in the European Commission (6 Jan 1985-19 Jan 1995), from which an original professional path emerges; from militancy in the Confederation Francaise des Travailleurs Chretiens in the 1950s, to the appointment in the Dept of Treasury of Pierre Mauroy (1981-1984), to the experience of the cultural clubs in the 1960s. Then the leading principles that distinguish the political-ideological itinerary of the French statesman are examined: (1) the concepts of solidarity, competition, & cooperation (the three pillars on which the "European model of society" is founded); (2) the principles of work, time management, & training; & (3) the principles of state, nation, "Federation of Nation-State," subsidiarity & "approche federale." The solidarity gains importance in North-South relations & between rich & poor regions of the European Community. Competition, seen as the fundamental goal in the globalization of the economy & the markets, does not constitute a goal, but, rather, a mean toward the social welfare; it is linked to cooperation between firms, universities, & research centers, as well between nation-states in the economic-monetary policy field. The work depends on technological progress. Continuous training decreases the inequality of opportunities & favors a good balance between savoir (theory) & savoir-faire (practice). According to Delors, the relaunching of the United Europe does not imply the overcoming of the nations, the symbol of European Union's differences. Therefore, the idea of the "federation of nation-states" is not contradictory; Europe supports the nations, but the Community interventions are based on the subsidiarity principle, which is complementary to the "approche federale.". Adapted from the source document.