In this work, there are presented aims and main research trends of the Universitas Vytauti Magni cluster "Relations between state and society in Lithuania" as well as its future research perspectives are discussed. At the meantime, there 15 members in the cluster, 5 from them are PhD students. According to science fields, there are in the cluster theologians, historians, political scientists, ethnologists, art and literature critics. The cluster researches history of Lithuanian Catholic Church, and its relations with state and society in the past and in the present. It intensively collaborates with the center for Church history in the Faculty of Catholic Theology and with the center for Kaunas history in the Faculty of Humanities. Next to scientific activities, members of the cluster are lecturing for the students of Universitas Vytauti Magni and other high schools, are publishing works of science popularization, are participating in TV and radio broadcasts and in the public discussions.
In this work, there are presented aims and main research trends of the Universitas Vytauti Magni cluster "Relations between state and society in Lithuania" as well as its future research perspectives are discussed. At the meantime, there 15 members in the cluster, 5 from them are PhD students. According to science fields, there are in the cluster theologians, historians, political scientists, ethnologists, art and literature critics. The cluster researches history of Lithuanian Catholic Church, and its relations with state and society in the past and in the present. It intensively collaborates with the center for Church history in the Faculty of Catholic Theology and with the center for Kaunas history in the Faculty of Humanities. Next to scientific activities, members of the cluster are lecturing for the students of Universitas Vytauti Magni and other high schools, are publishing works of science popularization, are participating in TV and radio broadcasts and in the public discussions.
In this work, there are presented aims and main research trends of the Universitas Vytauti Magni cluster "Relations between state and society in Lithuania" as well as its future research perspectives are discussed. At the meantime, there 15 members in the cluster, 5 from them are PhD students. According to science fields, there are in the cluster theologians, historians, political scientists, ethnologists, art and literature critics. The cluster researches history of Lithuanian Catholic Church, and its relations with state and society in the past and in the present. It intensively collaborates with the center for Church history in the Faculty of Catholic Theology and with the center for Kaunas history in the Faculty of Humanities. Next to scientific activities, members of the cluster are lecturing for the students of Universitas Vytauti Magni and other high schools, are publishing works of science popularization, are participating in TV and radio broadcasts and in the public discussions.
This article aims to reveal the role of political power in the construction of collective identity through the collective memory. Three aspects is seeking to "hook" in the theoretical level: the determined trends of globalised current time, the national state as a homogeneous "imagined" community and cultural heritage as a historical reality and factor of joining together communities. The analysis uncovers that globalization is a dualistic phenomena. The tendencies could be marked under living conditions today: the ontological anxiety of society, a collective identity crisis, the legal and actual threats to the sovereignty, which may retain the nation state. Nationalism, as the ideological force homogenizing state and society, is strongly actualizing and becomes a "headache" not only for communities but also for the political authorities, who can't stay away from declaring liberal laissez-faire principle, but must choose one from David Brown's proposed nationalism strategies of society's consolidation: ethno-cultural, civic or multicultural. Cultural heritage expressing a symbolic link to the legacy of previous generations must now become not only culturally, but also political and economic resource to the communities and politicians to create the basis for the stability of society and the state. The role of cultural heritage in the international political economy, development of public image models and developing positive relationships with neighbors in the historical context is very relevant today. Reinterpretation of cultural heritage dissonances in academic and public discourses should help to reconstruct the historical oblivion and construct the new formulas of collective identity in the second millennium of Lithuania.
This article aims to reveal the role of political power in the construction of collective identity through the collective memory. Three aspects is seeking to "hook" in the theoretical level: the determined trends of globalised current time, the national state as a homogeneous "imagined" community and cultural heritage as a historical reality and factor of joining together communities. The analysis uncovers that globalization is a dualistic phenomena. The tendencies could be marked under living conditions today: the ontological anxiety of society, a collective identity crisis, the legal and actual threats to the sovereignty, which may retain the nation state. Nationalism, as the ideological force homogenizing state and society, is strongly actualizing and becomes a "headache" not only for communities but also for the political authorities, who can't stay away from declaring liberal laissez-faire principle, but must choose one from David Brown's proposed nationalism strategies of society's consolidation: ethno-cultural, civic or multicultural. Cultural heritage expressing a symbolic link to the legacy of previous generations must now become not only culturally, but also political and economic resource to the communities and politicians to create the basis for the stability of society and the state. The role of cultural heritage in the international political economy, development of public image models and developing positive relationships with neighbors in the historical context is very relevant today. Reinterpretation of cultural heritage dissonances in academic and public discourses should help to reconstruct the historical oblivion and construct the new formulas of collective identity in the second millennium of Lithuania.
This article aims to reveal the role of political power in the construction of collective identity through the collective memory. Three aspects is seeking to "hook" in the theoretical level: the determined trends of globalised current time, the national state as a homogeneous "imagined" community and cultural heritage as a historical reality and factor of joining together communities. The analysis uncovers that globalization is a dualistic phenomena. The tendencies could be marked under living conditions today: the ontological anxiety of society, a collective identity crisis, the legal and actual threats to the sovereignty, which may retain the nation state. Nationalism, as the ideological force homogenizing state and society, is strongly actualizing and becomes a "headache" not only for communities but also for the political authorities, who can't stay away from declaring liberal laissez-faire principle, but must choose one from David Brown's proposed nationalism strategies of society's consolidation: ethno-cultural, civic or multicultural. Cultural heritage expressing a symbolic link to the legacy of previous generations must now become not only culturally, but also political and economic resource to the communities and politicians to create the basis for the stability of society and the state. The role of cultural heritage in the international political economy, development of public image models and developing positive relationships with neighbors in the historical context is very relevant today. Reinterpretation of cultural heritage dissonances in academic and public discourses should help to reconstruct the historical oblivion and construct the new formulas of collective identity in the second millennium of Lithuania.
This article aims to reveal the role of political power in the construction of collective identity through the collective memory. Three aspects is seeking to "hook" in the theoretical level: the determined trends of globalised current time, the national state as a homogeneous "imagined" community and cultural heritage as a historical reality and factor of joining together communities. The analysis uncovers that globalization is a dualistic phenomena. The tendencies could be marked under living conditions today: the ontological anxiety of society, a collective identity crisis, the legal and actual threats to the sovereignty, which may retain the nation state. Nationalism, as the ideological force homogenizing state and society, is strongly actualizing and becomes a "headache" not only for communities but also for the political authorities, who can't stay away from declaring liberal laissez-faire principle, but must choose one from David Brown's proposed nationalism strategies of society's consolidation: ethno-cultural, civic or multicultural. Cultural heritage expressing a symbolic link to the legacy of previous generations must now become not only culturally, but also political and economic resource to the communities and politicians to create the basis for the stability of society and the state. The role of cultural heritage in the international political economy, development of public image models and developing positive relationships with neighbors in the historical context is very relevant today. Reinterpretation of cultural heritage dissonances in academic and public discourses should help to reconstruct the historical oblivion and construct the new formulas of collective identity in the second millennium of Lithuania.
In the Master Paper, the implementation of the principle of stability of labour relations in cases of transfer of an enterprise/business or parts hereof is discussed upon. The Article 138 of the Labour Code of Republic of Lithuania foresees only a partial protection of the employees and a succession of the labour relations in case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof, i.e. a transfer can be considered a lawful reason for terminating the labour relations. A process of transfer often does not take place not for prospectlessness of the business or dishonesty of the employer, but because of a complex character of the process itself as well as the related legal and bureaucratic problems. Not only the assignee and the assignor, but also employees of the enterprise take an interest in a transfer of the enterprise/business or parts hereof, in particular the consequences of such a transfer. In case of a transfer of an enterprise/business or parts hereof, an employee suffers mostly: the settlement with the employees often is made non-timely and sometimes is not made at all, employees are discharged groundlessly, losing their jobs and the key means of their subsistence. Frequently, employers delay or fail providing to employees information in writing on their intention to transfer the enterprise/business or a part hereof; on the day of transfer, the planned actions, the causes of the transfer, its phases as well as the economical and social consequences that can impact the employee; on the changes of the conditions, including related to the work, remuneration for work and requalification. To make the process smooth and to minimize the social and economical consequences, it is important to establish procedures and rules applicable in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof that would ensure a proper implementation of the principle of the stability of labour relations and execution of the duties of the parties of the labour relations. In the Master Paper, the formulated provisions are based on the international labour standards, scientific references as well as the results of an analysis of the practice of investigation of civil cases at the Supreme Court of Lithuania and European Court of Justice; they should be useful for improving the norms of labour law related to the principle of stability of labour relations and the restrictions on termination of labour relations and reorganizing an enterprise (in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof) as well as for a protection of the rights of employees. The specific concepts singled out in the Paper should be taken into consideration on developing and improving the norms of the Labour Code and other legal norms for regulating the legal status and reorganization of enterprises as well as labour relations. To ensure a succession of employment contracts or labour relations as well as a protection of the rights of employees in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof, Lithuania should harmonize the structure of its labour law with the law of the European Community, in particular with the Directive No. 2001/23/EC. Operation and implementing of legal norms is predetermined by their transparency. A transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof is bound with application of several legal norms, so confusion and violations of laws are unavoidable. This sphere is sensible both in the social and economic respect, so the legal norms for its regulation should be coordinated and clear both for an employer and an employee as well as an owner of a business. Upon the growing dynamism of business, the presumption that a transfer of the enterprise/business should be regulated by a special norm in future cannot be ignored. The results of the investigation should help to a person engaged in applying legal norms to assess the goals and the criteria of implementing of the relevant norms, to avoid errors in ensuring a protection of the rights of employees in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof. The provided recommendations can be usable for supervision and control of implementing the labour laws, execution of scientific works on a similar subject and teaching students in the programme of law. In addition, the recommendations can be usable by professionals involved in harmonizing legal norms of Republic of Lithuania with the law of European Union. Using these materials, an employer or an owner of business will be able to carry out a transfer of the enterprise/business in a more rational way and thus avoid disputes bound with labour relations.
In the Master Paper, the implementation of the principle of stability of labour relations in cases of transfer of an enterprise/business or parts hereof is discussed upon. The Article 138 of the Labour Code of Republic of Lithuania foresees only a partial protection of the employees and a succession of the labour relations in case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof, i.e. a transfer can be considered a lawful reason for terminating the labour relations. A process of transfer often does not take place not for prospectlessness of the business or dishonesty of the employer, but because of a complex character of the process itself as well as the related legal and bureaucratic problems. Not only the assignee and the assignor, but also employees of the enterprise take an interest in a transfer of the enterprise/business or parts hereof, in particular the consequences of such a transfer. In case of a transfer of an enterprise/business or parts hereof, an employee suffers mostly: the settlement with the employees often is made non-timely and sometimes is not made at all, employees are discharged groundlessly, losing their jobs and the key means of their subsistence. Frequently, employers delay or fail providing to employees information in writing on their intention to transfer the enterprise/business or a part hereof; on the day of transfer, the planned actions, the causes of the transfer, its phases as well as the economical and social consequences that can impact the employee; on the changes of the conditions, including related to the work, remuneration for work and requalification. To make the process smooth and to minimize the social and economical consequences, it is important to establish procedures and rules applicable in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof that would ensure a proper implementation of the principle of the stability of labour relations and execution of the duties of the parties of the labour relations. In the Master Paper, the formulated provisions are based on the international labour standards, scientific references as well as the results of an analysis of the practice of investigation of civil cases at the Supreme Court of Lithuania and European Court of Justice; they should be useful for improving the norms of labour law related to the principle of stability of labour relations and the restrictions on termination of labour relations and reorganizing an enterprise (in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof) as well as for a protection of the rights of employees. The specific concepts singled out in the Paper should be taken into consideration on developing and improving the norms of the Labour Code and other legal norms for regulating the legal status and reorganization of enterprises as well as labour relations. To ensure a succession of employment contracts or labour relations as well as a protection of the rights of employees in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof, Lithuania should harmonize the structure of its labour law with the law of the European Community, in particular with the Directive No. 2001/23/EC. Operation and implementing of legal norms is predetermined by their transparency. A transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof is bound with application of several legal norms, so confusion and violations of laws are unavoidable. This sphere is sensible both in the social and economic respect, so the legal norms for its regulation should be coordinated and clear both for an employer and an employee as well as an owner of a business. Upon the growing dynamism of business, the presumption that a transfer of the enterprise/business should be regulated by a special norm in future cannot be ignored. The results of the investigation should help to a person engaged in applying legal norms to assess the goals and the criteria of implementing of the relevant norms, to avoid errors in ensuring a protection of the rights of employees in a case of a transfer of the enterprise/business or a part hereof. The provided recommendations can be usable for supervision and control of implementing the labour laws, execution of scientific works on a similar subject and teaching students in the programme of law. In addition, the recommendations can be usable by professionals involved in harmonizing legal norms of Republic of Lithuania with the law of European Union. Using these materials, an employer or an owner of business will be able to carry out a transfer of the enterprise/business in a more rational way and thus avoid disputes bound with labour relations.
The master thesis is titled: "Change of the State Financing System of Business Innovations in Lithuania After the Restoration of Independence". The main theoretical conception designed to analyse innovation policy is "National Systems of Innovation" (NSI). It is important to note, that NSI is not static and can change over time. After the restoration of independence, Lithuania experienced an economic transformation, and NSI, being a part of economic policy, also changed. State financing of business innovation is one of the most important elements which constitutes NSI and as a result, it also can be changed. Therefore, this master thesis is dedicated to analyse how the state financing system of business innovation developed after the restoration of independence and what are the main social elements responsible for it. To answer these questions, first of all changes in the state financing system of business innovation in Lithuania were analysed. Because the NSI is made up of institutions, the financing system of business innovation was defined from three perspectives: financing, organizations, and policy documents. Overall, it was found that this system evolved in two stages. First, there was no direct innovation policy and institutional environment to support business innovation. Second, government intervention to support business innovation increased dramatically, and currently this system of institutions is very broad and fragmented. To find out why it happened, the method of systematic process analysis was selected. Using this method, europeanisation theory was chosen as the main theoretical background for this master thesis, and three main hypotheses were developed. Besides europeanisation, two alternative theories were also chosen, which have the potential to explain changes in the system: left-right cleavage and the neoliberal institutional trajectory. In conclusion, it was found that Europeanisation had a major impact on the development of the state financing system of business innovation. First, the EU contributed to the changes related to the overall understanding about state role in business innovation financing. After Lithuania became an official candidate state to join the community, and after the accession to it, EU using its explicit, implicit and altering mechanisms totally transformed state role from being passive to being a significant actor in this field. In addition, EU also changed individual parts of financing system in the forms of absorption and transformation by influencing financing measures, organization structure, and policy documents. On the other hand, left – right cleavage and neoliberal institutional trajectories were rejected as both do not explain empirical facts. This master thesis contributed to the analysis of the Lithuanian system of innovation and it is also important for the use of europeanisation. This master thesis confirmed that europeanisation can explain public policy changes over time, however, there are still some theoretical discussions about this theory as it downgrades internal factors. Therefore, further research is needed to analyse how various internal groups inside the country can influence the changes of state financing of business innovation.
The master thesis is titled: "Change of the State Financing System of Business Innovations in Lithuania After the Restoration of Independence". The main theoretical conception designed to analyse innovation policy is "National Systems of Innovation" (NSI). It is important to note, that NSI is not static and can change over time. After the restoration of independence, Lithuania experienced an economic transformation, and NSI, being a part of economic policy, also changed. State financing of business innovation is one of the most important elements which constitutes NSI and as a result, it also can be changed. Therefore, this master thesis is dedicated to analyse how the state financing system of business innovation developed after the restoration of independence and what are the main social elements responsible for it. To answer these questions, first of all changes in the state financing system of business innovation in Lithuania were analysed. Because the NSI is made up of institutions, the financing system of business innovation was defined from three perspectives: financing, organizations, and policy documents. Overall, it was found that this system evolved in two stages. First, there was no direct innovation policy and institutional environment to support business innovation. Second, government intervention to support business innovation increased dramatically, and currently this system of institutions is very broad and fragmented. To find out why it happened, the method of systematic process analysis was selected. Using this method, europeanisation theory was chosen as the main theoretical background for this master thesis, and three main hypotheses were developed. Besides europeanisation, two alternative theories were also chosen, which have the potential to explain changes in the system: left-right cleavage and the neoliberal institutional trajectory. In conclusion, it was found that Europeanisation had a major impact on the development of the state financing system of business innovation. First, the EU contributed to the changes related to the overall understanding about state role in business innovation financing. After Lithuania became an official candidate state to join the community, and after the accession to it, EU using its explicit, implicit and altering mechanisms totally transformed state role from being passive to being a significant actor in this field. In addition, EU also changed individual parts of financing system in the forms of absorption and transformation by influencing financing measures, organization structure, and policy documents. On the other hand, left – right cleavage and neoliberal institutional trajectories were rejected as both do not explain empirical facts. This master thesis contributed to the analysis of the Lithuanian system of innovation and it is also important for the use of europeanisation. This master thesis confirmed that europeanisation can explain public policy changes over time, however, there are still some theoretical discussions about this theory as it downgrades internal factors. Therefore, further research is needed to analyse how various internal groups inside the country can influence the changes of state financing of business innovation.
The master thesis is titled: "Change of the State Financing System of Business Innovations in Lithuania After the Restoration of Independence". The main theoretical conception designed to analyse innovation policy is "National Systems of Innovation" (NSI). It is important to note, that NSI is not static and can change over time. After the restoration of independence, Lithuania experienced an economic transformation, and NSI, being a part of economic policy, also changed. State financing of business innovation is one of the most important elements which constitutes NSI and as a result, it also can be changed. Therefore, this master thesis is dedicated to analyse how the state financing system of business innovation developed after the restoration of independence and what are the main social elements responsible for it. To answer these questions, first of all changes in the state financing system of business innovation in Lithuania were analysed. Because the NSI is made up of institutions, the financing system of business innovation was defined from three perspectives: financing, organizations, and policy documents. Overall, it was found that this system evolved in two stages. First, there was no direct innovation policy and institutional environment to support business innovation. Second, government intervention to support business innovation increased dramatically, and currently this system of institutions is very broad and fragmented. To find out why it happened, the method of systematic process analysis was selected. Using this method, europeanisation theory was chosen as the main theoretical background for this master thesis, and three main hypotheses were developed. Besides europeanisation, two alternative theories were also chosen, which have the potential to explain changes in the system: left-right cleavage and the neoliberal institutional trajectory. In conclusion, it was found that Europeanisation had a major impact on the development of the state financing system of business innovation. First, the EU contributed to the changes related to the overall understanding about state role in business innovation financing. After Lithuania became an official candidate state to join the community, and after the accession to it, EU using its explicit, implicit and altering mechanisms totally transformed state role from being passive to being a significant actor in this field. In addition, EU also changed individual parts of financing system in the forms of absorption and transformation by influencing financing measures, organization structure, and policy documents. On the other hand, left – right cleavage and neoliberal institutional trajectories were rejected as both do not explain empirical facts. This master thesis contributed to the analysis of the Lithuanian system of innovation and it is also important for the use of europeanisation. This master thesis confirmed that europeanisation can explain public policy changes over time, however, there are still some theoretical discussions about this theory as it downgrades internal factors. Therefore, further research is needed to analyse how various internal groups inside the country can influence the changes of state financing of business innovation.
The master thesis is titled: "Change of the State Financing System of Business Innovations in Lithuania After the Restoration of Independence". The main theoretical conception designed to analyse innovation policy is "National Systems of Innovation" (NSI). It is important to note, that NSI is not static and can change over time. After the restoration of independence, Lithuania experienced an economic transformation, and NSI, being a part of economic policy, also changed. State financing of business innovation is one of the most important elements which constitutes NSI and as a result, it also can be changed. Therefore, this master thesis is dedicated to analyse how the state financing system of business innovation developed after the restoration of independence and what are the main social elements responsible for it. To answer these questions, first of all changes in the state financing system of business innovation in Lithuania were analysed. Because the NSI is made up of institutions, the financing system of business innovation was defined from three perspectives: financing, organizations, and policy documents. Overall, it was found that this system evolved in two stages. First, there was no direct innovation policy and institutional environment to support business innovation. Second, government intervention to support business innovation increased dramatically, and currently this system of institutions is very broad and fragmented. To find out why it happened, the method of systematic process analysis was selected. Using this method, europeanisation theory was chosen as the main theoretical background for this master thesis, and three main hypotheses were developed. Besides europeanisation, two alternative theories were also chosen, which have the potential to explain changes in the system: left-right cleavage and the neoliberal institutional trajectory. In conclusion, it was found that Europeanisation had a major impact on the development of the state financing system of business innovation. First, the EU contributed to the changes related to the overall understanding about state role in business innovation financing. After Lithuania became an official candidate state to join the community, and after the accession to it, EU using its explicit, implicit and altering mechanisms totally transformed state role from being passive to being a significant actor in this field. In addition, EU also changed individual parts of financing system in the forms of absorption and transformation by influencing financing measures, organization structure, and policy documents. On the other hand, left – right cleavage and neoliberal institutional trajectories were rejected as both do not explain empirical facts. This master thesis contributed to the analysis of the Lithuanian system of innovation and it is also important for the use of europeanisation. This master thesis confirmed that europeanisation can explain public policy changes over time, however, there are still some theoretical discussions about this theory as it downgrades internal factors. Therefore, further research is needed to analyse how various internal groups inside the country can influence the changes of state financing of business innovation.
The principle of state neutrality and the principle of secularity of the state are established in the jurisprudence of the Lithuanian Constitutional Court. The principle of separateness of the state and the church is also indicated in the Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania of 13 June 2000 "On certain provisions of the Law on Education". The paper deals with interpretation of this principle in the scholarly works of some authors. Taking into account the state neutrality concept discussed within the framework of political philosophy, this paper raises certain doubts with regard to the scholarly interpretation of the principle of separateness of the state and the church established in the constitutional jurisprudence. The author of the paper discusses a particular argument raised by some scholars as to the uniqueness of the constitutional principle of separateness of the state and the church. In this regard the author conducts a systemic analysis of the constitutional jurisprudence and its interpretation with regard to the principle of secularity of the state. Moreover, the concept of the state neutrality principle is indicated in the paper. Finally, the state neutrality principle is discussed in the context of a line of reasoning of the authors who claim that the principle of separateness of the state and the church conceptually differs from the principle of separation of the state and the church. In this regard, the author asserts that the approach claiming that co-operation of the state and the church is a feature of the Lithuanian Constitution in light of the constitutional principle of secularity of the state lacks coherence and implies certain risks on the constitutional system prescribing relations between the church and the state in Lithuania.
The principle of state neutrality and the principle of secularity of the state are established in the jurisprudence of the Lithuanian Constitutional Court. The principle of separateness of the state and the church is also indicated in the Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Lithuania of 13 June 2000 "On certain provisions of the Law on Education". The paper deals with interpretation of this principle in the scholarly works of some authors. Taking into account the state neutrality concept discussed within the framework of political philosophy, this paper raises certain doubts with regard to the scholarly interpretation of the principle of separateness of the state and the church established in the constitutional jurisprudence. The author of the paper discusses a particular argument raised by some scholars as to the uniqueness of the constitutional principle of separateness of the state and the church. In this regard the author conducts a systemic analysis of the constitutional jurisprudence and its interpretation with regard to the principle of secularity of the state. Moreover, the concept of the state neutrality principle is indicated in the paper. Finally, the state neutrality principle is discussed in the context of a line of reasoning of the authors who claim that the principle of separateness of the state and the church conceptually differs from the principle of separation of the state and the church. In this regard, the author asserts that the approach claiming that co-operation of the state and the church is a feature of the Lithuanian Constitution in light of the constitutional principle of secularity of the state lacks coherence and implies certain risks on the constitutional system prescribing relations between the church and the state in Lithuania.
