Mighty nation states and fragile international body: the German-Polish minority policy of the League of Nations as an early experiment in global governance

Globalization scholars generally acknowledge the United Nations as a key transnational actor that helps to regulate the globalized world by means of an institutionalized network of norms and agreements. However, it is often forgotten that the United Nations’ successful development is fundamentally rooted in its historical predecessor: the League of Nations. Through a historical-sociological analysis of an extreme case study, namely the German-Polish minority policy of the League of Nations, we emphasize this early root of global governance and explore the early manifestations of a key issue in the contemporary globalization debate: the tension between global institutions and nation states. Our analysis reveals four key features that help to conceptualize this tension field: the broad actorhood of the nation state(1), with nationalism as a consequence thereof(2), and the League of Nation’s lack of repressive capacity(3) as an important incentive for decoupling(4). This historical-sociological case study shows that the world culture grants significant power to the nation states, which makes them crucial actors in the globalized world. Hence our framework contributes to the widely discussed debate about the global-national tension field and could also provide a steppingstone for examining current relations between nation states and the United Nations

ÒDoes the European Neighbourhood Policy Make a Difference? Policy Patterns and Reception in Ukraine and RussiaÓ

The European Neighbourhood Policy has, from its very beginning, seized the attention of scholars and has remained high ever since on the academic agenda. Among the large number of publications already produced, many have analyzed ENP objectives, methods and influence through a comparison with EU enlargement policy toward Central and Eastern Europe in the 1990Õs. This paper argues that an alternative picture of the ENP can be obtained through a comparison of policy rationale and implementation in two countries Ð one benefiting from the policy, Ukraine and the second having rejected it, Russia. Such comparison highlights discrepancies between (i) a discourse focusing on differentiation among countries (within and without the policy), (ii) the similarity of policy patterns and instruments proposed by the EU to Ukraine and Russia, and (iii) differences between Ukraine and Russia in policy reception, which contribute to shape two distinct modes of policy implementation (selective adaptation in the case of Russia and accommodated conditionality in the case of Ukraine).European Neighbourhood Policy, Transfer, Reception, Conditionality, Adaptation, Socialization

Towards a fragmented neighbourhood: policies of the EU and Russia and their consequences for the area that lies in between

In the current volatile climate, the EU needs a strategy towards Russia that goes beyond sanctions. In reviewing the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership, the EU’s incoming leadership should be more sensitive towards the existing political, diplomatic, economic, energy and military ties between Russia and the countries in the common neighbourhood. After all, it is by exploiting these ties that Russia was able to turn this neighbourhood into an area of destructive competition − the primary victim of which is Ukraine. Understanding Russia’s perceptions and being sensitive to these longstanding ties does not mean justifying their use by the Kremlin. Nevertheless, factoring these ties into the EU’s policies vis-à-vis its Eastern neighbourhood is a prerequisite for more reflective, responsive and effective EU policies

Towards numerical simulation of yarn insertion on air-jet weaving looms

In this research a structural solver and flow solver are coupled to simulate the motion of a nylon yarn as it is launched into the atmosphere by a main nozzle of an air-jet weaving loom. The high-speed air flow, large displacements of the yarn, 3D-nature of the problem and the contact between yarn and nozzle wall pose substantial challenges to both solvers. Furthermore, the large displacements necessitate a two-way coupling which drastically increases the computational time required. In fluid-structure interaction simulations, the flexible structure is often modelled using continuum elements. However, in this work, the use of beam theory to model the yarn is investigated. Switching to beam theory allows reducing the computational time required for the structural solver, but requires adaptations to the fluid-structure interaction code so that forces are projected onto the centreline and centreline displacements are converted into 3D displacements of the surface nodes. To validate the use of beam elements, a structural simulation is performed in which a section of the yarn is mechanically pulled through the main nozzle. Afterwards the correct functioning of the beam elements is tested by performing a fluid-structure interaction simulation on a 3D, cantilevered beam in cross-flow. Finally, a simulation is performed in which a nylon yarn (diameter 0.72 mm) is unwound by the main nozzle air flow (5 bar gauge) and launched into the atmosphere. The gain in computational time by switching to beam elements is evaluated

Time-dependent calculation of the velocity of a yarn launched by the main nozzle of an air-jet loom

In air-jet weaving looms the yarn is initially accelerated by the main nozzle. To obtain a high yarn velocity a high air velocity is required which results in complex flow patterns. Consequently, predicting the influence of a change in geometry or inlet pressure on the yarn velocity is not straightforward. In this research a fast time-dependent fluid-structure interaction framework is used to model the acceleration of a yarn during launch. Initially, the performance of the framework is assessed by considering a smooth monofilament yarn. A suggestion is also madeand tested to deal with the surface texture of hairy/multifilament yarns

The 2015 ENP Review: Beyond Stocktaking, the Need for a Political Strategy. College of Europe Policy Brief #1.15, December 2015

Executive Summary. The 2015 ENP Review offers the most extensive revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy ever since it was launched. > The Review signals a welcome shift in the EU’s policy approach. It overcomes the initial EUcentric approach focussing on the EU’s own experience and previous policies (first and foremost enlargement) and places partner countries’ aspirations and needs at the core of the revised neighbourhood policy. > However, the Review falls short of sketching out a real and much-needed strategic vision and of providing political impetus to the neighbourhood policy. > It remains also unclear how the EU intends to strike a balance between values and interests in the revised policy. > All this needs to be addressed in the next steps, either in the forthcoming discussions with the partner countries or in the upcoming positions of the EU’s institutions and policy-makers

The EU and Russia’s modernisation: one partnership, two views

Over the past year, ‘modernisation’ has emerged as a buzzword in the EU-Russia partnership, apparently giving flesh to a relationship that was largely said to be stalling before a new initiative, the Partnership for Modernisation, was launched in June 2010. The rationale for this project is similar to that underpinning the EU-Russia strategic partnership: a combination of strong interdependence and high complementarity between partners

Political Changes in Armenia: a Litmus Test for the European Union

Although they were essentially driven by domestic factors, the political events that unfolded in Armenia in April-May 2018 bear strong implications for external actors, particularly for the European Union (EU). This is because the EU regards itself as a promoter of human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide, especially in its neighbourhood. As part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) launched in 2004, the partner countries' effective commitment to 'shared values' (i.e., democracy, human rights and the rule of law) is a prerequisite to closer relations with the EU. Therefore, whether and how the European Union can diffuse its democratic values are crucial questions to gauge its influence in its vicinity

Regionalism as You Like It? Armenia and the Eurasian Integration Process

International audienceThe article seeks to provide insights into how the EAEU is used and exploited by local actors as an economic and political resource. It does so by delving into the preferences and practices of Armenian political elites and non-state actors. The article highlights multiple flexibilities in the Eurasian integration process. Uncertainties and flaws in the rule-making process create loopholes that are then exploited by domestic actors (that is, rule-takers) with a view to pursuing their own goals. Thus, processes of rule development and adoption entail a variety of nuances also involving translation, adjustment and adaptation. Therefore, the article brings strong nuances into the prevailing picture of Eurasian integration as an example of hard regionalism, and instead suggests the development of a malleable integration process