Abstract ▼

Having been relieved after the conclusion of ideological and bloc confrontations, mankind was faced with the new challenges and uncertainties, which required not only a new categorial apparatus but also a novel approach to the radically altered situation in the world. The need to adopt a perspective of complex and growing interdependence on the global level arises particularly in connection with the issue of the globalization vs. fragmentation process. As a matter of fact globalization involves two basic and contrary processes: integration and fragmentation/localization. This non-linear feature of globalization requires a paradigm shift toward what James Rosenau has coined as fragmegration. The author applies to the analysis of the dynamics of fragmentation the concept of political intensities, challenging thereby the old balance of power paradigm.

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The present article is based on the premise that cultural diplomacy has mainly been used and perceived as instrument of public diplomacy, while relationship between cultural diplomacy and foreign and security policy of a state has not received much scholarly attention. The goal of the article is to conceptualize cultural diplomacy as an instrument of foreign and security policy of a state, and to assess the normative role of cultural diplomacy in foreign and security policy of the USA from the end of the Cold War until today. Empirical part of the paper is based on content analysis of American national security documents, with emphasis on the role of cultural diplomacy. Contemporary states strive for a successful and efficient realization of their developmental, foreign policy and security strategies by reaching synergy of their social, material, cadre, moral, foreign policy and security capabilities through cultural diplomacy. The complexity of present threats in international environment requires from states a more active engagement of cultural diplomacy as a means of cooperative provision of peace and security in international community.

Abstract ▼

The Silk Road is a very important trade and cultural communication line connecting the two ends of the Eurasian continent – PR China and Europe. No great power was ever able to gain exclusive control over it, due to its complexity and excessive economic significance. Having lost its importance with the development of the maritime trade along southern Eurasian shores and with the discovery of faster and safer roads, it regained some of it after the end of the Cold War due to the logistics needs of number of countries that lay on it. Since various development initiatives have not started at all or have not been fully implemented, the latest Chinese ‘One belt, one road’ initiative, consisting of land and maritime routes, has attracted a lot of attention and has caused mixed reactions within the international community. The reason for this is the fact that its initiator is the state whose powerful rise as a regional power with tendency to become a global power and whose assertiveness in foreign policy started the ‘Chinese threat’ theory, coupled with doubts of friendly nations that the initiative covers not only benevolent promotion of mutual economic interests and the friendship of the people, but also some particular Chinese geopolitical calculations. However, many issues will have to be resolved before the project sees its completion. These issues do not depend only on strategic planning and promotion of the PR China but also on the willingness of other involved countries, on the current international situation, and on those actors who could benefit from its collapse. As the security situation in Eurasia is very complex and strategic competition for resources among the powers extremely tense, PR China will not be able to implement this project without active cooperation from Russia, the United States and European Union, or at least without securing their non-interference.

Abstract ▼

The idea of a security community that is based on trust, closeness in values and interests and common perception of security and processes that threaten it, represents a model that can create a social context for permanent stabilization and strengthening the security culture in the Balkans. The initiators and the main agents in ending violence and promoting post-conflict stabilization of the Balkan region through the process of socialization and affirming models of the security community are undoubtedly EU and NATO. After stopping armed violence, primarily through the idea of membership and the enhancement of regional ties and cooperation, both organizations have sought to encourage the process of reconciliation of conflicting nations and to promote confidence as important prerequisites in building a security community in the Balkan area. Such efforts have given undeniable results in the elimination of the most dominant factors threatening regional security. However, without denying contributions, the idea of a security community is faced with many challenges. Although the experience of unity in the former common state should be a factor that would encourage the concepts of regional unity, the legacy of the recent past still largely limits the full range of the security community. Confidence and a sense of regional unity, as important aspects of common security perception, are very controversial and of variable intensity.

Abstract ▼

Happenings on the Middle East have undoubtedly left remarkable mark among the Muslims who live on the territory of Balkan. The events in Syria and Iraq, and the crisis in other Middle Eastern countries pose a significant threat to the Balkan countries. For better understanding of the political, social, economic and security processes in the Middle East, it is necessary at least to analyze all the processes that led to the creation of a unified Arab state, its ideology and aims. This work will try to answer some really important questions about ISIS and the idea of spreading the territory of a Great Muslim Country with an attention on Balkan countries.

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This paper analyzes the issue of immunity of state officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction, the content of the Institute itself, its position in the existing sources of International Law and its relation to related institutes. Special attention is given to the issue whether the work of the Commission has provided answers to the two most controversial theoretical-legal dilemmas of this institute – the issue of immunity holders and the relationship between jus cogens norms and the norms of criminal law immunity, what is the content of the given solutions and whether these solutions will influence the increase of legal certainty in international relations.

Abstract ▼

The Republic of Serbia is facing, as many other countries with similar characteristics, disastrous consequences of the recession that has captured the global economy since 2008. All this is happening today, in the time of intense and painful reforms, as a prerequisite for its entry into the European Union. This represents a long-term strategic goal of Serbia. According to the conception of the author, one of the ways that the foreign policy and foreign economic performance of Serbia become productive is to help Serbia step out the recession and make economic progress. Therefore, the key is to have a modern, well-organized and effective economic diplomacy. Unfortunately, we are faced with the inherited practice with formalized and out-of-date managers, who do not have enough understanding or faith in the possibilities and the importance of economic diplomacy. This is disappointing because the experiences of successful economic diplomats were supposed to be implemented in Serbia. Failures of the proper and qualitative selection of the first generation of 28 young economic diplomats, who were sent into the world in 2010, are used as an excuse so that the development of economic diplomacy can be aborted. Instead of correcting the mistakes of the most promising staff and their performance in the capital economic centers, it is easier to keep everything the same. The goal of this article is to underline, once again, the importance of real, well-chosen and prepared economic diplomacy for the communication with a lot of governmental institutions in charge for the economy and our performance on the global markets in the fight for consumers, foreign investments or strategic partnerships for the economic prosperity of Serbia. There are also a number of positive evidence on the successes and achievements of economic diplomacy. What the author wants to show is the first understandings of the importance of economic diplomacy in Serbia, in “Načertnije” (Program of foreign and national politics of Serbia), wrote by Ilija Garasanin in 1844. Maybe this will help for a better understanding of the significance of today’s modern economic diplomacy in Serbia.

Abstract ▼

Nowadays, economic diplomacy is a priority within overall diplomacy in many countries, especially in the conditions of economic recovery. Economic recovery is one of the most important priorities in almost all countries in the world. Therefore, primary goal of this paper is affirmation of economic diplomacy as priority in activities related to solution of the problems related to economic recovery, and with the aim to achieve that goal, the paper presents the most important characteristics of economic diplomacy, institutional aspects of economic diplomacy, and position of economic diplomacy in its support to the country. Within scientific explanation of the topic and proving proposed hypothesis, during the research of economic diplomacy as priority in economic recovery, a special attention has been paid to the role of economic diplomacy in the support given to the country and its equilibrium, specifying the measures which, together with economic diplomacy, may be utilised to significantly accelerate economic recovery of any country. The paper, at its very end, elaborates the economic diplomacy of the Republic of Serbia which is facing a major crisis due to its high expenditure and inability to present actual results.

Abstract ▼

International exchange of services is gaining more and more significance. It has both direct and indirect effects on the overall trade and economic growth and development. As a powerful part of service activities, business services, in particular professional ones, have shown to be quite effective in improving the overall productivity and economic growth across economies. Also, this sector contributes considerably to poverty reduction, thus making the overall market situation more dynamic and complex. The aim of this paper is to show that the branding process of professional services has become inevitable and mandatory for achieving the desirable market position. Successful professional companies use the valuable branding strategy for developing a sustainable competitive advantage in professional services market, as this strategy could be a valuable source for differentiation, satisfaction and client retention. The ultimate goal of professional services branding is to make the brand understandable, which is the basis of a good relationship with clients. Research results indicate that customization of consulting services adds value to the interaction with clients. Having that in mind, branding of professional services can be an important source of market power, “living business asset”, which generates different quality value, optimizes costs and stimulates loyalty.

Abstract ▼

The number of older adults is rapidly increasing in Europe, which will produce a number of consequences. This demographic change will challenge Europe’s size, Europe’s wealth and Europe’s social contract. Europe will lose 11% of its total population by 2050 (if the immigration is not taken into account), while the world population will obtain 32%. European workforce will decrease, which could produce new economic crisis. Studies on demographic change are mostly focused on economic, ethnographic and social aspects of this problem, while legal and identity dimensions of the demographic change are not sufficiently explored yet. This inquiry is not only focused on the possible solutions for this negative demographic trend in Europe, but also looks at the dimensions of legal and institutional change, which is necessary in order to make these solutions effective.