From 'Theories of Hegemony' to 'Hegemony Analysis' in International Relations

The paper deals with the phenomenon of hegemony in International Relations theory and practice. First, it develops a cartography of the existing approaches to hegemony in IR. Second, it discusses and evaluates two significant attempts to create a comprehensive framework for studying hegemony in world politics; that is, 'agential approaches' and 'critical realist approaches'. The third section discusses the limitations of these two approaches, and proposes a new comprehensive framework for analysing the phenomenon of hegemony in IR. Rather than using agents and/or structures as its starting point, the proposed framework suggests approaching hegemony as a phenomenon of movement of power

At the eye of the cyclone: the Greek crisis in global media

Using discourse analysis, this paper offers an in-depth investigation of the discourse of key European and international newspapers on the Greek economic crisis. The aim is to analyse the way in which the issue of Greek economic crisis emerged in the public discourse of different countries and global regions, as well as to assess the impact that this process had on how Greece is viewed ‘from the outside’. The findings point to the generation and consolidation of very negative attitudes towards Greece. During the 14-month period of examination, Greece evolves from an ‘object of critique’ to a ‘negative reference point’. In some sense, Greece is (re)constructed in the international press as the (corrupted) other of the (rational) western society

Social Europe and/or global Europe? Globalization and flexicurity as debates on the future of Europe

This paper claims that the European Union (EU) has had a very peculiar relationship with the globalized post-Cold War economic order. On the one hand, the EU was instrumental in bringing about this order. It aggressively promoted (both internally and externally) the principles and policies upon which this economic order has been based. On the other hand, this proactive engagement was translated within the EU into a highly polarized and antagonistic public discourse that led to a serious identity crisis. In this way, it is argued that economic globalization emerged in the EU as a debate on the nature and future of Europe. After 2005, this polarized and antagonistic discourse started to change. The rise of flexicurity, as a new way of thinking about Europe‘s place and orientation in the global political economy, has been instrumental in this shift. The paper examines and evaluates these developments and their implications for the European project.European Union; narratives; identity; globalisation; flexicurity; global Europe; international leadership; anglo-saxon model; continental model

Examining facets of the hegemonic: the globalisation discourse in Greece and Ireland

This paper attempts to make a contribution to the study and understanding of the phenomenon of globalisation and its interplay with national politico-economic systems. How did globalisation resonate and/or dominate in different national contexts? What was the role of national political economies and domestic institutions in this process? What role did specific institutional actors played in it? Focusing on the materialisation of globalisation discourse in Greece and Ireland, the paper presents three main findings: (i) the reproduction of the Greek and Irish politico-economic systems during the 1990s was dominated, to a significant extent, by the same set of meanings and practices (ii) the way in which this set of meanings and practices emerged in the two countries was fundamentally different: in Greece it defined a new zone of contestation, whereas in Ireland it defined a new zone of fundamental consensus (iii) after the end of the 1990s, these two different facets of hegemonic globalisation seemed to converge. The paper draws on these findings to examine the role of political economy and domestic institutions in the communication of the hegemonic discourse of globalisation.Globalisation; Greece; Ireland; models of capitalism; domestic structures; hegemonic discourse

Financial distress of industrial firms on the Greek banking system

Since the late 1970s, industrial activity in Greece has been deteriorating rapidly. An increasing number of industrial firms have experienced distress and failure. Because of their extensive indebtedness, the widespread distress of industrial companies has affected the soundness of Greek banks. This paper discusses the extent and causes of financial distress in Greek industry and the importance of its impact on the banking system and the country's economy. The authors outline the main goals or targets of reform in three areas : 1) macroeconomic reform through the reduction of inflation and the public deficit; 2) financial reform : a) free interest rates determined by market conditions; b) reduction of the public deficit and the public sector borrowing requirement; c) modernization of banking activities; d) prudential regulation and supervision of banking, aimed at restoring investor confidence; e) strengthened capital market with more tradable bonds and other securities; and 3) industrial restructuring : a) repayment of foreign debt of problematic companies through the Business Reconstruction Organization; b) repayment of domestic debt; c) systematic liquidation of nonviable companies; and d) restructuring of problematic but viable companies.Banks&Banking Reform,Financial Intermediation,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Financial Crisis Management&Restructuring

Power and wealth: indicators & trends in the global political economy

The aim of this first ‘Power & Wealth’ Report is to kick off a new research project that aims to explore, in a historical perspective, trends in the distribution of wealth and economic power among states and global regions. Part of this research project aims at the creation of a new index measuring economic strength, which can be used as a device to analyse the changing geometry of power & wealth at a global level

The historical and recent behavior of goods and services inflation

Since the late 1990s, the combination of relatively high services inflation and declining goods prices has produced a record-level gap in these inflation rates. Some commentators argue that if the gap between services and goods inflation continues to expand in this manner, the outcome will be either faster overall inflation or deflation. This article examines the relationship between these divergent inflation rates from 1967 to 2002. The authors find that while the level of each inflation rate is subject to permanent shifts, the gap between services inflation and goods inflation over time remains stable. Moreover, when the gap is above its long-run value, as it currently is, equilibrium is restored through a rise in goods inflation and a slowing of services inflation. Their results suggest that concerns over an imminent marked acceleration or dramatic slowing in inflation may be unwarranted.Inflation (Finance) ; Service industries

Regulatory Theory Applications Underpinning the National Licensing System for Educational Requirements in Property Licensing

In July 2008, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to establish a national licensing arrangement for seven occupational areas, including the building and property sector licensing, with respect to builders, property agents, conveyancers and valuers. The aim of these reforms is to establish a more uniform licensing system within these jurisdictions. Currently, these licensing requirements are managed under the auspices of individual state and territory Offices of Fair Trading. However, despite uniformity in the choice of regulator, the licensing provisions themselves are not uniformly designed, or enforced. For example, in New South Wales, the regulation of property agency is part of the Property Stock and Business Agents Act 2002, and the associated regulations. The purpose of this research paper is to analyse the different State and Territory laws and regulations applicable to the educational requirements for property agency licensing and to explore appropriate governance requirements for a uniform model of educational qualifications. The paper uses regulatory theory applications to evaluate the current educational requirements for the property licensing systems operating within Australia. It is argued that a national model for educational qualifications for licensing is feasible; however, transitional rules will need to be implemented to allow each jurisdiction the opportunity to phase-in the recommended changes gradually

Housing Affordability in Australia: The National Rental Affordability Scheme v. Public Housing and Welfare Programs

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) was introduced by the Federal Government of Australia, on the 1st July 2008. Whilst the primary aim of the scheme is to provide new dwellings for low to middle income Australian families, there is also the added bonus of a tax incentive program for property investors. In contrast, whilst public housing and welfare programs are not accompanied by tax incentives for property investors, these are also generally considered as suitable options for providing affordable rental housing. The purpose of this research paper is to undertake a comparison of NRAS against other welfare programs, such as public housing and to evaluate the long term viability of these programs and schemes. It is argued, that in the long term, schemes such as NRAS, which are accompanied by tax incentives for property investors, are able to provide a more permanent solution to the housing rental affordability issues within Australia

The Value of Education as a Pre-Requisite for Occupational Licensing in the Built Environment

During the last 50 years, education for the built environment professional in Australia has undergone many changes. The profession encompasses construction, project management, property agency, valuation, engineers and architects. Within Australia, each state and territory has a range of regulatory bodies and professional associations to monitor and enforce compliance and licensing relating to educational requirements. Professional licensing requirements often drive tertiary education requirements. This research paper examines the need for compulsory education in the property and construction industries. Additionally, emphasis on the fields of knowledge embedded within the course curriculum, and the requirements for work experience are discussed. The research is complemented with data from New South Wales and the governments’ purpose for initially introducing compulsory education, and the subsequent amendments thereafter. It is argued that education as a pre-requisite for occupational licensing provides many benefits for the end user. Furthermore, with the changing nature of the work environment, education is viewed as a convenient vehicle to deliver the needs of the consumer. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the current regulatory controls on the educational requirements within the property and construction sectors