55 research outputs found
The New Intergovernmentalism: European Integration in the Post-Maastricht Era
The post-Maastricht period is marked by an integration paradox. While the basic constitutional features of the European Union have remained stable, EU activity has expanded to an unprecedented degree. This form of integration without supranationalism is no exception or temporary deviation from traditional forms of European integration. Rather, it is a distinct phase of European integration, what is called ‘the new intergovernmentalism’ in this article. This approach to post-Maastricht integration challenges theories that associate integration with transfers of competences from national capitals to supranational institutions and those that reduce integration to traditional socioeconomic or security-driven interests. This article explains the integration paradox in terms of transformations in Europe's political economy, changes in preference formation and the decline of the ‘permissive consensus’. It presents a set of six hypotheses that develop further the main claims of the new intergovernmentalism and that can be used as a basis for future research.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcms.1221
Swift X-ray Observations of Classical Novae
The new gamma-ray burst mission Swift has obtained pointed observations of
several classical novae in outburst. We analyzed all the observations of
classical novae from the Swift archive up to 30 June, 2006. We analyzed usable
observations of 12 classical novae and found 4 non-detections, 3 weak sources
and 5 strong sources. This includes detections of 2 novae exhibiting spectra
resembling those of Super Soft X-ray binary Source spectra (SSS) implying
ongoing nuclear burning on the white dwarf surface. With these new Swift data,
we add to the growing statistics of the X-ray duration and characteristics of
classical novae.Comment: Accepted for ApJ; this version contains additional material: 18
pages, 16 figure
Energy Release During Slow Long Duration Flares Observed by RHESSI
Slow Long Duration Events (SLDEs) are flares characterized by long duration
of rising phase. In many such cases impulsive phase is weak with lack of
typical short-lasting pulses. Instead of that smooth, long-lasting Hard X-ray
(HXR) emission is observed. We analysed hard X-ray emission and morphology of
six selected SLDEs. In our analysis we utilized data from RHESSI and GOES
satellites. Physical parameters of HXR sources were obtained from imaging
spectroscopy and were used for the energy balance analysis. Characteristic time
of heating rate decrease, after reaching its maximum value, is very long, which
explains long rising phase of these flares.Comment: Accepted for publication in Solar Physic
Post-democracy and institutionalized austerity in France:budgetary politics during François Hollande’s presidency
This paper applies the concept of post-democracy coined by Crouch to shed light on the emerging political dynamics of macro-economic policy coordination in the Eurozone as they applied to France during Hollande’s presidency. Firstly, the paper explains the nature of EMU reform, characterized here as post-democratic by institutional design, before analysing its impact on France’s budgetary politics. Finally, the French case involving Hollande’s balancing act between supranational rules and domestic spending preferences is used as a way to reflect on the stability of this post-democratic arrangement for rescuing the Euro. The 2017 presidential election pitting Macron against Le Pen showed that post-democracy by design is sustainable only if the supply side of politics remains supportive of EMU – a condition undermined by the institutionalization of austerity, at least in France
3D Gasdynamic Modelling of the Changes in the Flow Structure During Transition From Quiescent to Active State in Symbiotic Stars
The results of 3D modelling of the flow structure in the classical symbiotic
system Z~Andromedae are presented. Outbursts in systems of this type occur when
the accretion rate exceeds the upper limit of the steady burning range.
Therefore, in order to realize the transition from a quiescent to an active
state it is necessary to find a mechanism able to sufficiently increase the
accretion rate on a time scale typical to the duration of outburst development.
Our calculations have confirmed the transition mechanism from quiescence to
outburst in classic symbiotic systems suggested earlier on the basis of 2D
calculations (Bisikalo et al, 2002). The analysis of our results have shown
that for wind velocity of 20 km/s an accretion disc forms in the system. The
accretion rate for the solution with the disc is ~22.5-25% of the mass loss
rate of the donor, that is, ~4.5-5*10^(-8)Msun/yr for Z And. This value is in
agreement with the steady burning range for white dwarf masses typically
accepted for this system. When the wind velocity increases from 20 to 30 km/s
the accretion disc is destroyed and the matter of the disc falls onto the
accretor's surface. This process is followed by an approximately twofold
accretion rate jump. The resulting accretion rate growth is sufficient for
passing the upper limit of the steady burning range, thereby bringing the
system into an active state. The time during which the accretion rate is above
the steady burning value is in a very good agreement with observations.
The analysis of the results presented here allows us to conclude that small
variations in the donor's wind velocity can lead to the transition from the
disc accretion to the wind accretion and, as a consequence, to the transition
from quiescent to active state in classic symbiotic stars.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figure
The European Union and the economic crisis
Book synopsis: With wide-ranging coverage, taking in history, theory, institutions, and current debates, European Union Politics has been developed to suit a wide range of module structures.
Contributions from leading scholars in EU politics offer the reader an authoritative and stimulating introduction to the subject.
Helpful learning features and extensive online support make European Union Politics an extremely student-friendly and accessible book for those coming to the subject for the first time.
New to this edition
A new chapter, and revisions throughout, reflect the effects of the economic crisis in the EU.
A new chapter on Governance in the EU adds another contemporary approach to the subject, and incorporates more discussion about regions.
Revised and updated to take into account the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.
European Union Politics provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of EU theories, institutions, policies, and issues. The fourth edition has been revised and updated in light of recent changes and events, in particular the aftermath of the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the economic crisis in the Eurozone.
The accessible and wide-ranging nature of the text makes it the ideal starting point for all those wishing to understand the workings of this forever evolving subject. An expert line-up of contributors bring insight and discussion that cannot be found in other books. This fourth edition includes new chapters on the economic crisis in the EU and multi-level governance, maintaining its contemporary appeal
Deciding on the European Semester: the European Council, the Council and the enduring asymmetry between economic and social policy issues
This contribution investigates the asymmetrical relationship between economic and social aspects under the European Semester by looking at the roles of the European Council and the Council between 2010 and 2016. Drawing on the theories of deliberative and new intergovernmentalism, this asymmetry is associated with an uneven evolution of the co-ordination infrastructure, notably the varying degree to which key policy issues are subject to informal policy dialogue. Not only are finance ministers better placed to conduct policy dialogue, they also control the European Semester policy priorities more effectively than their colleagues in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). Finance ministers also are more closely linked to discussions at the highest political level, the European Council. Social affairs committees and the Commission managed to gain a greater role at the expert level and to integrate more social issues into policy recommendations. Yet, these successes are not matched by higher level political endorsement.Institutions, Decisions and Collective Behaviou
Studying Europe after the fall: four thoughts on post-EU studies
What would European Union (EU) scholars study if the EU were to fall? This contribution does not predict the demise of the Union but rather engages EU scholars in a thought-experiment. It considers what would happen to EU studies and the scholarly community if the EU were to disintegrate. The possible contours of a post-EU studies are also outlined. The discussion is based around the four ideas of destruction, diagnosis, diversion and renewal. If the EU were to fall, it argues, the questions that drive EU scholars would endure and evolve rather than evaporate. The very challenges that triggered the collapse of the EU would be likely to haunt former member states and other organizational structures for regional and international co-operation
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