IMPLICATIONS OF THE EU MULTI-LEVEL GOVERNANCE IN THE FIELD OF COMPETITION POLICY – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF COHESION AND COMPETITION POLICY

The paper has in view to present the intrinsic characteristics of the European Union and to show that these characteristics require in an objective way the implementation of a multi-level governance. A comparative analysis of cohesion and competition policy of the European Union is presented from the point of view of these elements. Further on, given the implications of the economic crisis the paper explores the possible translation from multi-level governance to polycentric governance and the implications for the cohesion and competition policies.nature of European Union, multi-level governance, polycentric governance, cohesion policy, competition policy, possible structural changes of the European Union

European Union and the Challenges of Globalization

One may say that the European Union is a success story: it is growing and in 2004 it witnessed the most significant enlargement in its history up to now – 10 new countries have become members;two other new countries – Romania and Bulgaria – are ready to join the Union. Beyond these positive and encouraging facts the European Union seems to be confronted with a weakness with no self-evident cause, with an erosion of its future position the mood of the European Union is characterized by dualism and the balance seems to be condemned to instability in the long run. The cause responsible for this situation is globalization which substantially changes the rules of the game: in a nutshell, in the globalized context the new technologies enable that everything can be produced everywhere and everybody can compete with everybody.European Union, globalization, protectionism, enlargement

THE PROSPECTS OF EU COHESION POLICY AFTER THE ENLARGEMENTS OF 2004 AND 2007

After the enlargements of 2004 and 2007 European Union has confronted with an unprecedented increase of the development disparities. The cohesion policy for the period 2007-2013 concentrates on investments in researchdevelopment and innovation, infrastructure, industrial competitiveness, labor training, renewable energy sources and increase of energy efficiency. Under the new circumstances determined by the two enlargements a modernization of the cohesion policy is necessary, especially as regards the implementation mechanisms. Also, the objectives of this policy as well as it contents have to be revised.Cohesion policy, EU enlargement, development disparities, Lisbon Strategy

THE EU POSITION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY IN THE CONTEXT OF CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS: REFLECTIONS ON THE G20 MEETING OF APRIL 2009

The article focuses on the changes in the economic balance of power in the world economy, particularly as result of long term trends related to globalization and in correlation with the implications of the current economic crisis. The analysis is done in the framework of the G20 meeting which is attempting to design a new system of international institutions, compared with a new Bretton Woods. The paper concludes that the position of European Union in the world economy is gradually declining and that steps are to be taken in order to change this trend.European Union, G20, economic crisis, Bretton Woods II, world government

January 1st, 2007: Romania’s accession into a changing European Union

In an ideal world, characterized by the ever increasing, linear type of history described by Jacques Turgot, in case developing countries have a higher growth rate than developed ones they may catch up in a number of years that can be easily computed. Unfortunately, history has the tendency of not being linear and, the more so, of not being ever increasing from the point of view of economic and social development. And changes in development patterns do occur because of changes in technology, energy sources, ideologies, demography and many other reasons.European Union, Romania’s accession, globalization, development patterns

Labor market and eu enlargement: is there a real threat for EU – 15?

The general implications of globalization as well as those resulting from 2004 and 2007 enlargements have forced EU to think seriously about approaching issues related to rigidity and stagnation in the major EU economies. The problems are well known and recognized. Their solution implies anyway to accept a number of liberal measures characterized by competitive labor markets and mobile capital.EU enlargement, labor market, globalization, competitivity

THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS: A STEP FORWARD TOWARDS BETTER GLOBAL GOVERNANCE OR GLOBAL GOVERNMENT?

The paper analyzes the implications of the current global economic crisis for the decision making mechanisms and interactions among the major players. The analysis explores the possibility that the changes implied and required by the economic crisis may lead either to a better global governance or even a step closer to a possible, virtual, global government.global economic crisis, global governance, global government

The Japanese Concept of Sustainable Development at a Global Level

After the end of the Second World War Japan was not only a defeated country but also a country that experienced the unimaginable shock of the atomic bombs. Despite all that, Japan succeeded to become the second economic power in the world and many people spoke about “The Japanese Miracle”. The miracle was even greater due to the fact that the country does not have many natural resources and therefore the Japanese development relied on Japanese human resources development.sustainable development, Japan, human resources development, Japanese traditions

EU – Energy issue and the prospect of a low carbon economy

During the past months the energy issue became more and more present on the EU agenda for various reasons ranging from the consequences of EU vulnerability as an oil importer when Russia's row with Belarus hit its supplies to the gloomy implications of climate change which is clearly accelerated by current energy consumption patterns. This will increase the EU’s vulnerability to reductions in supply or higher prices. The EU also needs to burn less fossil fuel in order to reverse global warming. Moreover, the EU’s energy infrastructure needs improving at an estimated cost of €1 trillion over the next 20 years.energy, EU agenda, EU vulnerability, global warming

The positive side of Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty or Reform Treaty represent in brief the current position of the European Union member states towards the idea of European economic integration. One important characteristic of this Lisbon Treaty is the fact that it amends at the same time two previous treaties, namely the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Communities.Lisbon Treaty, European Union, institutional change, division of competence