Central EU Research Articles

Die Renaissance des autoritären Liberalismus?

The unfolding crisis of capitalism – the most severe since the 1930s – is taking the shine off those neoliberal projects that were implemented in the context of the European Union. As a result, the present, competition-state mode of integration, which is based on consensus, is sliding into an ever deeper crisis of hegemony. To maintain the status quo, coercion is, if necessary, substituted for the disappearing consensus. That the central EU crisis initiatives (Economic Governance and the Fiscal Compact) are eroding formal democracy and the rule of law in particular heralds the beginning of an authoritarian turn in Europe. Drawing on the theory of Nicos Poulantzas this turn can be described as authoritarian competitive statism. In a – to a certain extent – comparable crisis of hegemony in the 1930s Carl Schmitt and German neoliberal intellectuals developed a strategy of dominance which can be described as authoritarian liberalism. In comparing this discourse with the present crisis mode of the European Union I try to sensitize the analytical framework for a counter-hegemonic strategy.

Insight into the structural versatility of the Ln(III)[15-metallacrown-5] platform by comparing analogs with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ring ions

The promise for tuning the molecular recognition and physical properties of coordination driven assemblies through metal ion substitutions has prompted this structural investigation into the structural versatility of Ln(III)[15-metallacrownM(II),L-5]3+ complexes. The structural versatility of this molecular class is expanded through the synthesis of Ln(III)[15-metallacrownZn(II),picHA-5](NO3)3, the first Ln(III)[15-metallacrownM(II),L-5]3+ with Zn(II) metal ions. X-ray crystallography reveals the pentagonal macrocycle has a severely ruffled face, which is attributed to a non-equatorial alignment of the picHA ligands by the square pyramidal Zn(II) ions. ESI-MS and 1H NMR suggest the complex maintains its integrity in pyridine. Comparison of the Eu(III)[15-metallacrownM(II),picHA-5]3+ structures with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) reveal elongated M(II)–NpicHA bond lengths and bending of the picHA chelates at the ring metals with Zn(II). Surprisingly, the metallacrowns provide similar coordination environments for the central Eu(III) ion despite the structural differences in the ring. Differences in the visible absorption spectra of the Eu(III)[15-metallacrownM(II),picHA-5]3+ complexes with Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) demonstrate that the electronics of the metallacrown platform can be varied through ring ion substitutions. The ability of Ln(III)[15-metallacrownM(II),L-5] complexes to accommodate ring ions with disparate coordination geometries is unique for coordination driven assemblies and has implications for the design of modular complexes with tunable magnetic and electronic properties.

Role of Institutions in the Economic Development of Central and Eastern EU Countries

Economic development of countries who experienced transition processes from autocratic regimes to democracy and the catching up of EU developed countries need to radical reform the institutional framework. The institutional quality can promote or inhibit development processes, especially in the countries that faced deep political, institutional and economic reforms and crises. This article intends to study the role and importance of institutions in the development process of Romania and other central and eastern EU countries and to identify the characteristics of the institutional framework exerting a stronger influence on the development. With this purpose we used data and information form different sources: World Bank statistics and reports, World Economic Forum Reports, reports of Legatum Institutes from London, scientific studies etc. We considered as useful the analysis of the nature and intensity of connection between institutional quality and the synthetic indicators of development. Romania and Bulgaria occupy the last two places in terms of development among the 27 EU member states, but they also register the lowest values for institutional quality. The quality of the institutional framework is strongly dependent on aspects such as: property rights (including intellectual property), illegal payments and bribe, the independence of justice, the efficiency of the legal framework, the quality of political leadership, the capacity of economic and social actors to exert pressure to eliminate and change inadequate institutions, the quality of the connection between institutions and the organizations that are meant to supervise it.

Bipolar-transporting dinuclear europium(III) complexes involving carbazole and oxadiazole units: Synthesis, photophysical and electroluminescent properties

Abstract A class of bipolar-transporting dinuclear europium (III) complexes involving a carbazole and a oxadizaole fragments was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectro-scopy and thermal analyses. Compared to the mononuclear europium (III) tris(dibenzoylmethane) (1,10-phenanthroline), these dinuclear europium (III) complexes presented better thermal stability, and similar UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra in dichloromethane. Two intense UV-vis absorption bands at around 282 nm and 352 nm, and a characteris-tical red emission peak at 614 nm from the 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition of the central Eu 3+ ions were observed under photo-excitation, respectively. Using the Eu 2 (DBM) 6 (FPhOXD6CzPhen 2 ) as emitters and a blend of poly (vinylcarbazole) and 2-(4-biphenyl)-5-(4- tert -butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole as a host matrix, the single emitting-layer polymer light-emitting devices exhibited saturated red electrolumine- scent emission from Eu 3+ ion at dopant concentrations from 1 wt % to 8 wt %.

EU Climate and Energy Policy: A Hesitant Supranational Turn?

This article examines the recent changes of three central EU climate and energy policies: the revised Emissions Trading Directive (ETS); the Renewables Directive (RES); and internal energy market (IEM) policy. An increasing transference of competence to EU level institutions, and hence “vertical integration,” has taken place, most clearly in the case of the ETS. The main reasons for the differing increase in vertical integration are, first, that more member states were dissatisfied with the pre-existing system in the case of the ETS than in the two other cases. Second, the European Commission and Parliament were comparatively more united in pushing for changes in the case of the ETS. And, third, although RES and IEM policies were influenced by regional energy security concerns, they were less structurally linked to and influenced by the global climate regime than the ETS.

Romania's Development to a Low-Tax Country: Effective Corporate Tax Burden in Romania from 1992 to 2010 and Romania's Current Ranking Among the Eastern European Member States

We trace back Romania’s development to a low-tax country among the Member States of the European Union by analysing the major tax law changes in corporate taxation since 1992. We find that the significant reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 45% in 1992 to 16% since 2005 has not been accompanied by a comprehensive broadening of the corporate income tax base as prevalent in many longstanding Member States of the EU and the OECD. Our analysis is not limited to a comprehensive description of the development of corporate taxation in Romania, but goes on with a numerical analysis of the tax burdens at different periods of time which constitute milestones in the development of corporate taxation in Romania. For this purpose, we apply the European Tax Analyzer, which is a computer-based model firm approach. We find that the average company tax burden of the underlying model company has dropped significantly by almost 65% since 1992. Furthermore, our numerical analysis does not confirm the tax base broadening policy. As a result, Romania holds position two among the group of Central and Eastern European EU Member States.

Lanthanide homometallic and d–f heterometallic MOFs from the same tripodal ligand: structural comparison, one photon (OP) vs. two photon (TP) luminescence and selective guest adsorption behavior

In this paper, we report the design of a new functionalized tripodal ligand triCB-NTB (4,4′,4′′-(2,2′,2′′-nitrilotris(methylene)tris(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-2,1-diyl)tris(methylene))tribenzoic acid) and its assembly of Eu(III) homometallic or Zn(II)-Eu(III) heterometallic lanthanide-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). C3 symmetric Eu(III) center is achieved in the homometallic MOF, [Eu(triCB-NTB)]·DMAc·4H2O (1). The C3 axis of the three coordinated imino N atoms on the propeller-extended central triCB-NTB ligand coincides with the C3 axis that directs the three para-methyl carboxylic benzene arms on three surrounding ligands coordinating with the central Eu(III) simultaneously. Therefore, a (6, 3) pattern is formed in the framework with relatively large porosity. In the Zn-Eu heterometallic framework, [EuZn(triCB-NTB)(H2O)(Cl)2]·2DMAc·H2O (2), the N atoms on the triCB-NTB are coordinated with Zn(II) and the carboxylic O atoms are coordinated with Eu(III). A paddle-wheel linked Eu(III)2 cluster is formed and 1D loop-and-chain structure is obtained. Two ligands, two Zn(II) ions and two Eu(III)2 clusters constitute one box-like unit on the loop chain. Due to the non-inversion symmetry imposed on the central Eu(III) and the large polarizability of the ligand, both one photon (OP) luminescence based on the energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+ and two photon (TP) luminescence based on the hypersensitive transition of the Eu3+ ions are observed in the two lanthanide-based MOFs. This satisfies the urgent needs of multi-mode luminescent lanthanide complex. Simultaneously, N2 gas and selective vapor adsorptions were also detected in the porous structure of complexes 1 and 2 due to their benzene-filled channels. The six-pointed-star like cavities in 1 can let the gas and vapor molecules go in and out smoothly subject to changes in the pressure, while the narrower and more irregular channels in 2 show irreversible adsorption behavior for benzene and cyclohexane vapor molecules in vacuum under room temperature.

Acropolis Now! An Economic Tragedy of Greek Proportions

To mask the consequences of escalating sovereign debt, individual countries, regional groupings such as the EU, and international financial organisations including the IMF and the World Bank have provided short-term relief by pumping huge injections of rescue capital into flagging economies. The problem with this policy of kicking the can down the road is that one day the road runs out. At this point we are forced to deal with the problem. The end of the road is now is sight. Consequently, governments need to come up with some sensible answers quickly. Otherwise, the growing inequality and increasing chances of sovereign default will knock the entire global economy out of kilter; an event with the potential to usher in a global depression of a magnitude which has not been seen for 80 years. GREECE IS NOT THE WORD – OVERVIEW Investors are currently apportioning unprecedented levels of blame on Greece for causing the current volatility that has beset global markets and weakened the global economy. There has always been a risk that the entire Euro project would collapse – and the European Central Bank (ECB), EU and French and German banking systems and economies along with it – if the Greek sovereign debt crisis was not handled effectively. There were basic four policy choices that the national politicians, Eurocrats, bankers and financiers could have taken in response to the situation:  Create adequate liquidity to recapitalize and provide sufficient funding for European banks  Try to buy time by kicking the can down the road  Vacillate and hope  Write off debts and address imbalances Either of the middle two options would have essentially led to the same outcome – markets might initially stabilize but simply burying the toxic mess would see the problems resurface at a later date. Unfortunately, EU policymakers managed to combine these options because of a combination of weakness and negligence by the periphery in the face of cynicism and exploitation by Germany accompanied by desperation and collaboration by the soft core such as France.

Is the Board Neutrality Rule Trivial? Amnesia about Corporate Law in European Takeover Regulation

Whether the European Union's Takeover Directive should have adopted a mandatory neutrality rule has been the subject of much debate. As the European Commission commences its review of the Directive this debate is being reignited. A view is crystallising that the success and failure of the Directive can, in large part, be measured by the number of Member States that have opted-in, or out of the neutrality principle, or have opted-in subject to the reciprocity option. The contestability of European corporations is viewed through this lens as a function of the extent to which EU Member States have adopted an unqualified neutrality rule. This article takes issue with this viewpoint. It argues that the pre-Directive debate and the post-Directive assessment have failed to consider the core lesson of takeover defences in the United States, namely that the construction of defences and their potency are a function of basic corporate law rules. If corporate law rules do not enable the construction of takeover defences, or undermine the extent to which they can be potently deployed, then the adoption or rejection of the neutrality principle in Member States is of trivial significance. This article explores the triviality hypothesis in three central EU jurisdictions: the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. It concludes that, although there is variable scope to construct and deploy takeover defences in these jurisdictions, the triviality thesis is well founded.

Price convergence in the EU in general and in the Central, Eastern and Southern European EU member states in particular

The subject of the paper is the analysis of price convergence in the European Union in general and in the Central and Eastern European member states in particular. The first part of the paper is an overview of the relevant literature on price convergence serving as the theoretical foundation of the subsequent empirical analyses on comparative price levels. The second part discusses sigma convergence in the EU-27 including the old (EU-15) and the new (EU-12) member states, as well as within the Economic and Monetary Union. Conditional (weak) beta convergence in the EU-12 is also analyzed. The first conclusion of the paper is that a rather strong relationship exists between sigma convergence and the process of economic integration, more precisely between sigma convergence and the establishment of the individual stages of regional economic associations. The second conclusion is that price convergence is not a secular process; it may be impeded or accelerated by a great number of micro and macroeconomic factors.

From transition crisis to the global crisis: Twenty years of capitalism and labour in the Central and Eastern EU new member states

This paper analyses the developments in wages, employment and income distribution in the Central and Eastern European new member states twenty years after transition to capitalism, divided into three periods: 1) the transition crisis; 2) post-transition growth; and 3) the crisis episode of 2008-9. Total employment has at best stagnated or slightly decreased. Modest wage increases have fallen behind productivity increases. Furthermore, the global crisis has led to employment losses in all countries, and real wages have already started to decrease in several countries.

Is the Board Neutrality Rule Trivial? Amnesia About Corporate Law in European Takeover Regulation

Whether the European Union's Takeover Directive should have adopted a mandatory neutrality rule has been the subject of much debate. As the European Commission commences its review of the Directive this debate is being reignited. A view is crystallising that the success and failure of the Directive can, in large part, be measured by the number of Member States that have opted-in, or out of the neutrality principle, or have opted-in subject to the reciprocity option. The contestability of European corporations is viewed through this lens as a function of the extent to which EU Member States have adopted an unqualified neutrality rule. This article takes issue with this viewpoint. It argues that the pre-Directive debate and the post-Directive assessment have failed to consider the core lesson of takeover defences in the United States, namely that the construction of defences and their potency are a function of basic corporate law rules. If corporate law rules do not enable the construction of takeover defences, or undermine the extent to which they can be potently deployed, then the adoption or rejection of the neutrality principle in Member States is of trivial significance. This article explores the triviality hypothesis in three central EU jurisdictions: the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. It concludes that, although there is variable scope to construct and deploy takeover defences in these jurisdictions, the triviality thesis is well founded.

Ionic Liquids as Crystallization Media: Weakly-Coordinating Anions Do Coordinate in 1∞[Eu(OTf)3(CH3CN)3

Tris(acetonitrile)tris(trifluoromethanesulfonato)-europium(III), (1)(infinity)[Eu(OTf3-(CH3CN)(3)], is the first structurally characterized Ln(OTf)(3)-solvate where triflate is still in the coordination sphere of the Ln(III) cation and not substituted by solvate molecules. This fact is attributed to the unique crystallization conditions that an ionic liquid provides: (1)(infinity)[Eu(OTf)(3)-(CH3CN)(3)] was obtained from a solution of europium(III) triflate, Eu(OTf)(3), with acetonitrile in the ionic liquid [C(4)py][OTf] (1-butylpyridinium triflate). The crystal structure (triclinic, P (1) over bar (no. 2), a = 5.734(1) angstrom, b = 10.500(2) angstrom, c = 19.088(4) angstrom, alpha. = 98.09(3)degrees,beta = 93.79(3)degrees, gamma = 91.46(3)degrees, V = 1134.5(4) angstrom(3), Z = 2, R-1 for 4388 reflections with I-o > 2 sigma.(I-o): 0.0335) contains 9-fold coordinated Eu(III) atoms: Six trans coordinating triflate anions and three equatorial acetonitrile molecules form a tricapped trigonal prism around the central Eu(III) cation. These polyhedra are linked to 1D chains by bridging triflate ligands and are further connected into a 3D supramolecular structure via C-H center dot center dot center dot O and C-H center dot center dot center dot F bonds. Eu(OTf)(3)center dot 3CH(3)CN loses acetonitrile already at room temperature. Thermogravimetry shows that upon heating to 165 degrees C all acetonitrile is lost and a complete decomposition occurs at 452 degrees C.

Konkurenceschopnost v mezinárodním prostředí. Vybrané aspekty postavení nových členských zemí EU

The purpose of the study is to analyse and evaluate the position and trend of international competitiveness of the Central European EU countries, and the results of the influence of their EU membership on the competitiveness of the chosen countries. The study method is based on a complex set of multidimensional analyses using, firstly, quantitative indicators, namely input and output indicators, and secondly, qualitative evaluations. The results of the empirical evaluations had to monitor the changing positions of the new EU Member States in the International Competitiveness Scoreboard: Yearbooks of IMD Lausanne; Reports of WEF Geneve. The study conclusions confirmed the influence of the involvement of the New Member States in the common and shared EU policies (common trade policy, agricultural policy, liberalization of the movement of capital and services within the EU, EU regional and structural policy, and other common policies) on the increasing competitiveness of the new EU Member States.

Governance of complex socio-environmental risks: the case of hazardous chemicals in the Baltic Sea.

Complex socio-environmental risks challenge society. In response to scientific uncertainty and sociopolitical controversies, environmental governance, precaution, and the ecosystem approach to management are held forward as complements to governmental risk-based sector-restricted regulation. We analyze this development for hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea. Based on interviews and policy analysis, we study informal governance and, in particular, four central EU and international policies, and investigate how present governance relates to risks and objectives at hand. While showing emergence of broader governance approaches, we conclude that central objectives will not likely be met. Furthermore, we question the quest for broad environmental governance and emphasize the value of command and control regulation, if it implements precaution. These findings contribute to the theorizing on environmental (risk) governance. Finally, we provide some ideas that could help development and implementation of risk policies for hazardous chemicals in the Baltic Sea as well as other complex risks.

Site Selective Magneto-Optical Studies of Eu ions in Gallium Nitride

ABSTRACTWe report site-selective studies of the Zeeman splittings that are observed for magnetic fields up to 6.6T for different Eu incorporation sites in GaN. Utilizing resonant excitation with visible light, we are able to distinguish the site and find for one center (Eu1) a splitting into five components as expected for C3v symmetry. The corresponding g-values are 1.66 and 1.90. The two lines of another center Eu2 each split into two levels corresponding to g-values of 1.9 and 2.84. Most surprisingly a third center, for which only one line is clearly identified, a g-value of 6.16 is found which is larger than can be explained for a 7F2 purely ionic Eu state.

镓置换铝对SrAl2Si2O8∶Eu2+晶体结构和发光特性的影响

A series of phosphors Sr0.955Al2-xGaxSi2O8∶Eu2+(x=0~1.0) was prepared via solid-state reaction in weak reductive atmosphere.Lattice positions and the luminescent mechanism of Eu2+ in the host were discussed,and effects of Ga3+-substitution on the host lattice and spectral properties were investigated.The results showed that complete solid solutions formed in the whole range of x=0~1.0 while Ga3+ entered SrAl2Si2O8 lattice and substituted Al3+.The lattice parameters(a,b,c) and unit cell volume of phosphors Sr0.955Al2-xGaxSi2O8∶Eu2+(x=0~1.0) increased linearly as Ga3+ content increased in the phosphors.When Ga3+ substituted for Al3+,the most obvious changes happened in cell parameter c,b was the second and a was the minimum.A broad excitation spectrum of Eu2+ presented from 230 nm to 400nm and peaked at 350 nm,which consists of 267 nm,305 nm,350 nm and 375 nm excitation bands.The three shorter wavelengths excitation peaks were shifted to red and the peak intensities of 267 nm and 350 nm were decreased.The peak intensity of 305 nm increased significantly while the peak position and intensity of 375 nm unchanged basically as the increased substitution of Ga3+.The FWHM of the apparent excitation peak narrowed from 109 nm to 98 nm.The broad and asymmetric emission spectrum among 380 nm and 600 nm and apparent peak was at 407 nm,which could be fitted by two peaks at 406 nm and 441 nm.The two fitted peaks were red shifted and the intensity ratio of the fitted peaks increased linearly with the increasing of the amount of Ga3+-substitution.The apparent emission peak was red shift from 407 nm to 422 nm and FWHM increased from 58 nm to 79 nm while Ga3+ content was up to 1.0 mol.The distance of Eu-O was shorted due to Al3+ is replaced by Ga3+.The crystal field of the emitting center Eu2+ location was enhanced.The splitting of 5d orbital levels was increased and the lowest emission level was expanded to lower.

Democracy and Federalism in the EU: A Liberal Contractualist Perspective

What powers should small states hold in the European Union? Currently small states play important roles within the federal elements of the Union, but their future status is at stake. In a federation there are two tiers of government: a central unit and regional sub-units. Each tier enjoys final authority with regards to some functions, without reference to the preferences of the other (RIKER 1993, 509). Moreover, regional governments are represented in the central decision-making processes (KING 1993). In confederal arrangements sub-units can veto decisions, and even leave the confederation. Hence in federal procedures, both member states and directly elected representatives play political roles. To be sure, the EU may never become a full federation: territorial and functional internal sovereignty is not forthcoming (cf. SCHMITTER, this volume). Nevertheless, starting with the European Coal and Steel Community, the European institutions have had strong federal elements. Historically, in the case of Europe as in other systems of pooled sovereignty, the prominent role of states is no doubt due to the actual social contracts among formally equal sovereign members. As an example, consider the High Authority of the Coal and Steel Community, not strictly an intergovernmental executive but responsible to a European Common Assembly. The High Authority was also checked by the intergovernmental Council of Ministers. Introduced by the Netherlands, this feature ensured the interests of smaller states within the community (PINDER 1993). As general economic integration followed in the EEC in 1958, the executive body - the Commission - continued to enjoy broad powers, yet clearly under the control of the Council of Ministers.The Single European Act of 1985 introduced federal elements: majority voting in the Council enhanced its ability to remove market distortions, and the European Parliament gained in power. The 1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union added to the central powers by increasing Community influence over currency, and by establishing the economic and monetary union (EMU) by 1999.Thus the central EU institutions enjoy supra-national powers, authorized to enact laws and regulations even contrary to the will of individual governments. State governments have given up some sovereign powers, since central decisions may override them. All the same, states retain the power to block common decisions, sometimes through requirements of unanimity, and sometimes through qualified majority voting. And the Principle of Subsidiarity confirms a commitment to the sovereignty of member states, limiting the competencies of central institutions, albeit in unspecified ways.

Exchange rate pass-through in central and eastern European EU Member States

This paper provides estimates of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to consumer prices for nine central and eastern European Member States. Using a five-variate cointegrated VAR (vector autoregression) for each country and impulse responses derived from the VECM (vector error correction model), we show that ERPT to consumer prices averages about 0.6 using the cointegrated VAR and 0.5 using the impulse responses. We also find that the ERPT seems to be higher for countries that have adopted some form of fixed exchange rate regime. These results are robust to alternative normalisation of the VAR and alternative ordering of the impulse responses.

The effect of nominal exchange rate volatility on real macroeconomic performance in the CEE countries

This paper analyzes the relation between nominal exchange rate volatility and several macroeconomic variables, namely real output growth, excess credit, foreign direct investment (FDI) and the current account balance, in the Central and Eastern European EU member states. Using panel estimations for the period between 1995 and 2008, we find that lower exchange rate volatility is associated with higher growth, higher stocks of FDI, higher current account deficits, and higher excess credit. At the same time, the recent evidence seems to suggest that following the global financial crisis, “hard peg” countries may have experienced a more severe adjustment process than “floaters”. The results are economically and statistically significant and robust.