Suchergebnisse

The success or failure of Greece's left government will be decisive not only for Greece but for the left in Europe in general. The Syriza led government faces obstacles both on the European and on the national level. It becomes increasingly clear that Syriza's equation for the European level doesn't add up. The main European institutions want to see Syriza fail and block therefore any acceptable compromise. On the national level the level of political mobilization is low and the question arises if Syriza can maintain its connection with the social movements under the current situation. Despite all obstacles there are still options left to regain the initiative.

"The success or failure of Greece's left government will be decisive not only for Greece but for the left in Europe in general. The Syriza led government faces obstacles both on the European and on the national level. It becomes increasingly clear that Syriza's equation for the European level doesn't add up. The main European institutions want to see Syriza fail and block therefore any acceptable compromise. On the national level the level of political mobilization is low and the question arises if Syriza can maintain its connection with the social movements under the current situation. Despite all obstacles there are still options left to regain the initiative." (author's abstract)

In the context of the economic crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis in particular the dominant social forces and state apparatuses are pushing for a long term solution. Here I argue that relevant European class forces as well as national class factions established the so called Six Pack as a political strategy that aims to radicalize neoliberal policies via European regulations. While in the member states democratic structures are being minimized, more decisions are made on the European level, through which the executive apparatus, especially the European Commission, gains more influence. I analyze the way in which the dominant social forces shaped the Six Pack and examine similarities but also differences to the European Fiscal Compact. Finally I look at the meaning of these current reforms for a left strategy of rupture in Europe.

In the context of the economic crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis in particular the dominant social forces and state apparatuses are pushing for a long term solution. Here I argue that relevant European class forces as well as national class factions established the so called Six Pack as a political strategy that aims to radicalize neoliberal policies via European regulations. While in the member states democratic structures are being minimized, more decisions are made on the European level, through which the executive apparatus, especially the European Commission, gains more influence. I analyze the way in which the dominant social forces shaped the Six Pack and examine similarities but also differences to the European Fiscal Compact. Finally I look at the meaning of these current reforms for a left strategy of rupture in Europe. Adapted from the source document.

The financial framework to 2013 behind the European Union's cohesion policy was a unique opportunity to lead new member states in Eastern Central Europe towards an environmentally friendly path of development. But analysis of the EU fund & the member state's plans shows that only a small fraction of the subsidies are going to energy efficiency, renewable energy & ecologically sustainable mobility. The traffic sector ranks among the fastest growing causes of greenhouse gases. In spite of this, the EU is investing in road & highway construction & thus undermining its own efforts to bring about a turnaround in climate & traffic policies. Tables, Figures. Adapted from the source document.

"Die EU-Finanzierung bis 2013 ist eine einmalige Gelegenheit, die neuen Mitgliedstaaten in Ostmitteleuropa auf einen umweltfreundlichen Entwicklungsweg zu bringen. Doch eine Analyse der EU-Fonds und der staatlichen Planungen zeigt, dass die Fördermittel nur zu einem Bruchteil in Energieeffizienz, erneuerbare Energien und ökologisch nachhaltige Mobilität fließen. Der Verkehrssektor zählt zu den am schnellsten wachsenden Verursachern von Treibhausgasen. Ungeachtet dessen investiert die EU überwiegend in Straßen- und Autobahnbau und konterkariert so die eigenen Anstrengungen für eine Klima- und Verkehrswende." (Autorenreferat)