EU Society Research Articles

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals – pesticide regulatory issues from the EU perspective

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including substances used in plant protection products (PPPs), are a source of ongoing concern for the EU society. Under the EC Regulation 1107/2009, the endocrine-disrupting (ED) properties of active substances, safeners, and synergists used in PPPs shall be investigated. The scientific criteria established by the Regulation (EU) 2018/605 and the joint guidance of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)/European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provide the basis for this assessment. Data requirements for the approval of safeners and synergists have been recently published in Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1487, allowing a consistent assessment of these substances. The approach to assessing co-formulant hazards is currently a subject of EU-wide discussion. It outlines the necessity to take into account information or evaluation data from other than pesticides' EU regulatory frameworks, such as REACH or SCCS applications for cosmetic ingredients. This paper outlines: a) current EU approach applied for identification of endocrine disrupting properties of pesticides; b) issues related to European regulations that may have an indirect impact on the safe use of plant protection products and c) an analysis of the European Commission's activities aimed to limit exposure to EDCs associated with use of PPPs in the society.

The spatial dimension of ageing and growth in European regions

AbstractThis study aims to tackle the potential effects of population ageing on regional growth dynamics in the EU. We collected information at a NUTS2 level for EU countries from the years 2000 to 2020 to understand the extent to which the ageing of EU society might impact the EU convergence process. Our results emphasize that the ageing of EU society does not seem to harm the possibility of regional economic growth if we think that immigrants can fill openings in local labour markets (left by retired persons), as well as new jobs stemming from new services needed by retired persons (mostly in health and daily care). Our outcomes also stress the relevance of considering the spatial dimension of the analysis to detect the place-based dimension of this dynamic and, hence, the need for tailored policies.

Opportunities for the integration of muslim immigrants in European Union countries

The presence of Muslim immigrants in European Union countries has become an undeniable reality, as these immigrants have become an integral part of the demographic composition of EU societies. The strength of these immigrant communities has increased as a result of the intensification of family reunification policies, which have contributed to reshaping and expanding minorities within the European space. Consequently, questions, concerns, and doubts have arisen about the integration of these immigrants into most national communities. These apprehensions are primarily based on the legal mechanisms required to integrate these minorities into the nation-state, which is founded on citizenship rights in Europe, and on the practical measures that guarantee their integration in an appropriate form and content. On this basis, the adopted integration policies that attempt to reposition Muslims in Europe at the economic, social, and, to some extent, cultural levels raise many concerns about their ability to integrate these Muslim immigrants and about the possible opportunities for their proper integration in light of their cultural, religious, and social specificities. Through this paper, researchers attempt to examine the opportunities for these Muslim immigrants to integrate, considering the legal complexities and social problems they face, which hinder their complete integration into these societies.

Why the EU risks missing its 2050 carbon neutrality target by focusing only on new (electric) car sales

In 2016, by signing and ratifying the Paris Agreement, the European Union committed to making the EU economy and society climate neutral by 2050. In 2016, partly because of this goal, the European Council endorsed an interim target of a 55% net domestic reduction in climate-changing gas emissions by 2030. The transport sector is among those called upon to make the greatest effort, both because of its percentage weight (25% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions) and its progress to date (-10% from 1990 levels). Recent regulatory measures suggest that there is still much work to be accomplished to attain climate neutrality in the transportation sector. The paper examines the impact of vehicle emission performance stand- ards (443/2009/EC; 333/2014/EU; 2019/1242/EU; 2019/631/EU; 2023/851/EU) on the sup- ply and demand of cars in the EU automotive market and tests the consistency of the ongoing transformations with the Paris Agreement. Although changes in both production and purchase have been made in the direction desired (perhaps mandated) by policy makers, it appears that the scale of these is not meeting the required timeline. Much remains to be done to eliminate options, such as fuel decarbonization, which can effectively reduce the carbon footprint of the road fleet.

Business safety: adaptation of home legislation to acquis of European Union

Contradictions of the development of Ukrainian society in the post-Soviet period are manifested, firstly: in such phenomena, which are negative for conducting business, such as corruption, the “shadow” economy, the absence, at the legislative level, of a regulated mechanism of property relations, and, secondly,
 in aspirations to become a member of the European Union, with its democratic and universal values.
 When it comes to the harmonization of domestic legislation with the EU acquis, it is worth noting that the specific features of the development of a certain community, its legal awareness and legal culture are reflected in legal relations. This contradiction requires a rational understanding of the peculiarities of the historical development of Ukrainian society.
 Modern EU society is liberal. A universal feature of liberalism, a system of economic relations, is freedom, which is based on the right to own the means of production.
 During the 20th century the influence of the mechanism of economic relations on a person, as a subject of his own rights, increased. Therefore, the state policy, coordinated with international law, is designed to ensure the protection of human rights from abuses of the business environment.
 The social dimension of economic phenomena and processes is manifested through the prism of economic and legal research, thanks to which cause-and-effect relationships, effectiveness and expediency of the adoption of this or that normative-legal act are clarified. A comprehensive analysis of socio-economic processes, while preserving the essential unity of legal phenomena and economic institutions, contributes to an objective assessment of the social effectiveness of individual legal norms, the role of the law, its interaction with such spheres of social life as economy, politics, culture, etc.
 At the end of 2013, the then President of Ukraine’s refusal to sign the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU led to large-scale protests against the authorities. Subsequently, not agreeing with the independent choice of the people of Ukraine, the leadership of the Russian Federation resorted to military aggression.
 At the same time, having lost control over part of the territory and having suffered economic and demographic losses, the authorities and society of Ukraine remained consistent supporters of democratic values and European choices.

Go Back to Your Country? An Overview of Discrimination in Portugal

In the current contextual climate, the phenome-non of racial discrimination in Europe is prevalent across media, politics and education in the inter-national community and EU societies seeing more of the global South within the global North. Rac-ist discrimination is not limited to the EU and is based on gendered, racialised, ethnic/religious and other sociocultural markers reproducing differ-ence. Structural apparatus of bias must, arguably, be considered and treated as an urgent societal issue in EU communities. This thematic overview discusses some of the perspectives of racism and other segregation in the EU and scopes records of discrimination within the Portuguese context to highlight the sociopolitical and legal urgency to acknowledge and counter racist prejudice in its overt and covert forms. The paper traverses across literature on racism in the EU, outsider-within experience, and EU records in Portugal to critically reflect to what extent the EU contains the global South within its colonial lingers and contribute to research on racial discrimination in EU societies towards anti-racist commitments across Europe.

The impact of healthcare system quality and economic factors on the older adult population: a health economics perspective.

This study investigates the influence of economic conditions, healthcare system capacity, and health-related variables on the proportion of the older adult population (Population ages 65 and above) in European Union countries. It aims to identify how factors such as GDP, unemployment, inflation, healthcare expenditure, hospital bed availability, and the prevalence of chronic diseases impact the aging demographic. This study explores the dynamic interactions and temporal relationships between economic stability, healthcare capacity, chronic disease prevalence, and demographic aging patterns. The research employs a mixed-method approach, utilizing System GMM and wavelet coherence analysis on panel data from 27 EU countries between 2000 and 2021. The findings reveal significant positive associations between economic prosperity and healthcare resources with the size of the older adult population. Increased GDP, efficient healthcare spending, and hospital bed availability are positively correlated with a larger older adult demographic. In contrast, high unemployment and inflation are linked to negative outcomes for the older adult population, reducing available resources and access to healthcare. Wavelet coherence analysis further uncovers how fluctuations in the prevalence of chronic diseases influence aging trends across different periods and frequencies. The study highlights the importance of integrated economic and healthcare policies to support the growing older adult population. Ensuring economic stability, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and effectively managing chronic diseases are essential for improving quality of life and promoting sustainable aging in EU societies.

European Security Strategies and the War in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine made European societies wonder how ready they were for it, and exposed new dangers that European leaders had believed gone. First and foremost, once again, a vision of territorial aggression has returned to the list of threats to European security. Does the EU have adequate security strategies to guideline its response to such dangers? Do the strategies structure the development of instruments so that its institutions and Member States can successfully deal with the threat that the war in Ukraine poses to EU societies? The EU has two security strategies, from 2003 and 2016, and it stands to reason to verify their adequateness vis-á-vis the war in Ukraine. This article studies the provisions of these strategies, presents the progress of the war in Ukraine, and verifies the reactions of EU institutions and Member States in face of these events. While it reflects on the provisions of the security strategies in light of the ways the EU and its Member States have reacted to war, it concludes with a proposal of elements that need adjusting within the EU catalogue of possibilities.

Transforming underground coal mine workings into critical cyber security facilities in the perspective of the European Green Deal plan

Purpose: in the cognitive space, the article focuses on cybersecurity as one of the top priorities of the European Commission and a cornerstone of a digital and connected Europe. The increase in cyberattacks during the coronavirus crisis has shown how important it is to protect hospitals, research centers and other infrastructure. Decisive action is needed in this area to future-proof the EU's economy and society. Therefore, cybersecurity is a key element to ensure the safe and effective implementation of the European Green Deal plan. Methodology: the theses presented in the article were verified using the following methods: literature review, critical analysis of literature, analysis and comparison of documents and an example of good practices. Result: the results of analyzes and research clearly revealed that cyberattacks do not stop at state borders, therefore it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between EU Member States, exchange information on threats and develop common standards and best practices in the field of cybersecurity. This allows for effective protection against attacks and minimization of risk to critical infrastructure related to the European Green Deal. Originality: in the perspective described in the article, important and significant challenges arise in the field of protecting critical infrastructure against cyber threats. One of them is the transformation of underground workings of hard coal mines into facilities critical for national cybersecurity. The theses presented in the article were verified using the following methods: literature review, critical analysis of literature, analysis and comparison of documents and examples of good practices. Keywords: transforming, coal, cyber security.

The Interplay between Digital Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in the Context of the EU Digital Economy: A Multivariate Analysis

A real challenge for the EU economy and society is to achieve both green and digital transitions in order to tackle the major economic, social and environmental issues faced by EU member states. In this context, digital entrepreneurship, which lies at the intersection of digital technologies and entrepreneurship, has recently benefited from increasing attention both in theoretical and empirical research and in strategic policies. Given these aspects, the aim of this article was to investigate the interrelationship between digital entrepreneurship and productive and innovative entrepreneurship and its impact on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in EU countries. The results of correlation and regression analysis revealed that digital entrepreneurship, which implies productive and innovative entrepreneurial activities, is positively influenced by the degree of a country’s digitalization and, in turn, has a positive impact on the achievement of the SDGs (Total SDGs, SDG 8 and SDG 9). Furthermore, the findings of the principal component analysis and cluster analysis emphasize that there are differences and common features between EU countries in terms of the interrelationship between digital entrepreneurship, digitalization, economic development, national competitiveness and achievement of the SDGs. Therefore, specific measures should be implemented to boost digital entrepreneurship (especially in some central and eastern EU countries) so that this will be the key driver for sustainable development.

Transformation of the Political Parties of the EU Member States

The study aims to provide an analysis and systematize the complex of factors influencing the transformation of party systems. We attempt to identify the relationship between their general and specific influences in particular countries to explore the transformation process's general patterns and national characteristics in European Union's political spaceion. This study's method is based on an overview of the unique bibliography collected by the researchers, which includes sources devoted to the study of foreign parties and party systems in the European Union by modern political scientists. The analysis shows the specification of internal and external factors that influence the adaptation of the political parties and systems to the EU's changing situation, country, and society. The modern transformation of political parties and party systems in the EU is caused by the phenomenon of globalization, the financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009, the overlapping migration crisis of 2015-2026, Brexit and changes in the institutional environment, and the democratic deficit in the EU itself. The obtained results have verified the research hypothesis. This study discussed modern tendencies in the transformation of political parties and political space in the European Union under the influence of different, controversial but discrete factors of development and complete explanation about the essence of new types of political parties

INSTITUTIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF SECURITY IN THE CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN GOODS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS

Ensuring security in cross-border trade in the European Union means counteracting threats and facing the challenges of globalization, changes in world trade and the development of the common market. The customs administrations of the Member States play a key role in ensuring the security of cross-border trade. Customs administrations pursue the following goals and tasks: first, a traditional fiscal target (of diminishing importance); second, they play a protective role in preventing dangerous and non-compliant products from entering the EU market. Particularly important is the protective function associated with ensuring the safety and security of the EU industry, the state and society, the natural environment, and the world’s fauna and flora. The aim of the article is to present the institutional security architecture in cross-border trade in goods involving specific institutions along with the tasks falling under their responsibility. Particular attention was paid to the tasks of customs authorities in ensuring security in cross-border trade in goods.

Measuring Outcomes of Digital Transformation in Public Administration: Literature Review and Possible Steps Forward

Abstract Digital transformation is the modern mainstream of social and economic development promising significant digital dividends to citizens and businesses worldwide. The theory highlights the importance of digitalization for optimizing the public value of government services for citizens; however, despite the high enthusiasm about the prospects of digital transformation in public administration, there is little literature on measuring actual benefits this process might provide to all stakeholders concerned. While some recent research suggests high correlation between governance indicators and e-government development, the causality between the two is not confirmed statistically for most public administration indicators. International indices used to measure government digitalization (such as the UN E-Government Development Index) often concentrate only on e-services and are based on measuring the availability rather than the actual use or quality of such modes of service delivery; they concentrate more on measuring G2C and, to some extent, G2B interactions and often omit the effects of digitalization for the G2G and G2E dimensions. The EU Digital economy and society index (DESI) is one of the most advanced cases for measuring the progress of digitalization in the EU, but even in this case the costs of digitalization and potential risks of digital government are not fully accounted for. The paper provides an extensive review of theoretical and practical approaches to measuring government digitalization, identifies key limitations and proposes some steps for enhancing the existing practices. The paper argues that government digital transformation should not be performed for its own sake but should be a means for raising effectiveness and efficiency of public administration. Therefore, both benefits and risks of digital transformation of performing all core government functions for various stakeholders (citizens, businesses, government itself, and public officials) should be accounted for.

European Green Deal Policy for the Circular Economy : Opportunities and Challenges

In December 2019, a European Green Deal was introduced to the EU and its community as a new development strategy by the European Commission (EC). The key goal of the European Green Deal is to reshape the EU into an ethical society with efficient use of resources and a modern-competitive economy. The European Commission targets an absolute reduction of greenhouse gases net emissions by 2050 in all EU. Thus, one of the most important actions in implementing this new growth strategy “EGD” is to coordinate the industry for a circular and clean economy. To reach this goal, EC introduced the most advanced legislation follow-up package that EU's society and businesses can benefit from. This legislation package includes actions and steps with a connecting guideline of principal policies, starting from a very determined goal in eliminating emissions, as well as investments in related innovation and research in order to protect the natural environment of Europe. However, reaching the goal of being the first among other continents to be climate- neutral by 2050 is so far the biggest challenge, as well as the greatest opportunity for Europe. In reality, in order to implement such advanced goals, obstacles need to be addressed as well, in national and international level. Thus, this paper analysis the European Green Deal (EGD) policy, the opportunities provided by EGD, and in particular the challenges faced for reaching the targets of EGD.

Modeling the development of the tourism industry in the smart age of globalization through transnational cooperation and capacity building

The relevance of the chosen topic is related to the growing interest of researchers in technologies and mechanisms of growth of new touristic opportunities in the smart era of society, features of its impact on national policies in order to achieve strategic socio-economic goals of the countries both for domestic territories and along the path of development of geoeconomic strategies in the global space. In addition the relevance of the research direction is enhanced by the fact that tourism is one of the sectors of the world economy that has suffered the most from restrictions on movement during the pandemic crisis. The European Commission has recently presented a series of proposals setting out the foundations of the EU economy and society suitable for the digital age, outlining the development of a genuine European data space and offering a European approach to new technologies. The new industrial strategy and the SME strategy (adopted on March 10, 2020) identify the path to digital transformation to empower industry and small and medium-sized enterprises. The latest strategic communication of the European Commission “Tourism and Transport for 2020 and beyond” emphasizes the role of digital transformation and sustainability. This involves investing in digital skills and promoting digital innovation, as well as linking the tourism business and businesses to existing data spaces, technology providers, and community actors at the local and regional levels. To determine the possibilities of further evelopment of the industry, ithe article proposes a factor model of the total revenue from tourism activities, taking into account regional changes in tourist flow, provide recommendations for the effective development of the industry with account of future trands of tourism industry and ecosystem development. These issues are equally pertinent both for tourism, given the advantages innovative, new technologies can bring to tourism destinations and for businesses, local communities and travellers. They can facilitate tourism management both at destination and business level, contributing to balanced and sustainable growth of tourism in post Pandemic time. New smart technologies can help businesses provide more personalised services and therefore enhance the tourism experience.

Oligarchic corruption: scenarios and technologies of external influence in Ukraine (theoretical and sociological aspect)

The article describes the relationship between oligarchic corruption and scenarios of external influence from the EU/NATO and Russia geopolitical alliances. It is concluded that the corruption of the oligarchs is one of the key conditions for effective external influence on Ukraine and the limitation of its cultural, political and economic sovereignty. At the same time, information campaigns by intellectual groups of opinion leaders are combined in media discourses with public communication of political actors and are converted into relevant decisions of the legislature and the executive.It is emphasized that the information confrontation takes place in line with two discourses: populist-pro-Russian and liberal-pro-Western. On the part of pro-Russian external actors, key arguments relate to the identification of the fight against corruption with the restriction of Ukraine's cultural and political sovereignty by the EU and NATO. For external influence through the oligarchy on the authorities and administration of Ukraine, the Russian Federation uses cultural and media trendsetting, criminal curation and political emissary.It is noted that the EU and NATO are counter-propaganda in the direction of continuous "pushing" programs to reform the political, economic, educational system with the leitmotif of combating corruption and the use of cultural and media trendsetting, political emissary and touring. For EU and US societies, political touring is one of the priority forms of external influence because of the significant benefits that external centers of power derive from the placement of groups of influence in state institutions. It was stated, first of all, that the surplus of non-ruling elites was moved to the periphery, which allowed to get rid of the corresponding inconveniences due to their possible transformation into political actors. Secondly, the strengthening of the cultural influence of society through the conquest by political tourists of the status of temporary role models in the field of public administration. Third, political touring is beneficial to the oligarchy because of the possibility of avoiding responsibility for corruption by transferring it to external centers of power. Fourth, political touring allows to maintain the image of Ukraine as a failed state, which is unable to recruit and select its own elites and create social elevators for leaders.

The EU refugee crisis as a factor of destructive influence on the policy of multiculturalism

The article examines the problem of the refugee crisis as a factor of destructive influence on the policy of multiculturalism. The causes of the refugee crisis and its features are revealed. The reasons for the departure of migrants from their countries of origin are identified, the key ones being military operations, economic and social. The grounds for the emergence of the refugee crisis in the European Union have been established.The legal status of refugees and the regulatory framework for their integration into European Society are studied. The main documents regulating this process are defined. The main signs of assimilation and multiculturalism policies are revealed. Based on this, the policy of integration of migrants into EU society, its advantages and disadvantages are analyzed.The results of modernization of the multiculturalism policy are described on the example of Germany. Special attention is paid to the existing problems that have developed since the beginning of the crisis, based on the key miscalculations of this policy. The challenges that have arisen in European Society during this time are identified.The assessment of the degree of integration of migrants into the EU society, the state of ensuring their rights and freedoms is given. The article analyzes the obstacles to the social integration of refugees into European society, their education and employment. The nature of conflict-causing factors of coexistence of the local population and refugees, as well as side threats that waves of migrants carry with them, is revealed.Recommendations are proposed for further modernization of the policy of integration of refugees into EU society. The main measures to implement this policy have been identified. In particular, the creation of a flexible system of social integration of migrants, which would provide for the implementation of measures for social assimilation, while preserving the basic principles of multiculturalism and freedom of religion.

Becoming European: Strangers Finding a Place in the European Union

This article addresses the idea of belonging in Europe from the perspective of postcolonial migrants settling in EU societies. It draws on over one hundred in-depth interviews with Algerian, Ecuadorian, and Indian individuals settled mainly in and around the cities of London, Madrid, and Paris. Rather than investigating migrants’ orientations to Europe through a narrow interest in self-identification (feeling vs. not feeling European), it delves into individual migration narratives for evidence of how Europe is imagined (if it is imagined at all) during the migration process and its relation to other physical and symbolic sites. As a frame for interpreting individual migration narratives, I introduce the concept of ‘migratory rupture’, a dialectical experience of both the disorienting and creative aspects of migration. In excavating some of the reflexive processes involved in constructing symbolic geographies of attachment, I find that regardless of the scales of comparison used to articulate place affiliation across different contexts, e.g. whether small-scale (neighbourhoods or city districts) or larger-scale (supranational or de-territorialized categories), symbolic geographies allow migrants to view their transnational life experience on a single, coherent plane and express a form of global consciousness.

Civil society and the European Union. From enthusiasm to disenchantment

Abstract This paper adopts the wide definition of civil society, namely the one suggested by the EU. It includes all sorts of private collectives from producer groups, trade unions, care and common cause organizations, NGOs, to social and protest movements. Distinguishing between a structural (governance) and an actor-centred perspective (collective action) and, orthogonally, two levels of territorial complexity (the sub-, and the supranational), the history of the relationship between the EU and civil society is presented for the period of the past 35 years. It turns out that despite enormous efforts invested in the relationship from the part of both sides, and of many heroic declamations aimed at pathbreaking reform, the outcome tends to be relatively meagre and disenchanting both in institutional and organizational terms.

A comparison of three transformation pathways towards a sustainable European society - An integrated analysis from an energy system perspective

An energy system transition in the European Union is required to meet the decarbonisation targets determined in the Paris Agreement. To realise this transition, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 is required. However, ambitions are being raised towards carbon neutrality. Such transition will likely imply deep changes across all sectors of the EU economies and societies. The impacts on these sectors need to be analysed with a multi-disciplinary approach, to unveil cross-sectoral risks and opportunities of the transition. Additionally, the pace and effectiveness of the transition may be affected by technical and economic drivers within the EU. In this paper, we soft-link three modelling frameworks specialised in assessing technology transitions, spatially-disaggregated health impacts of air pollutants and economic impacts and we apply them to the study of deep decarbonisation pathways for the EU. An energy system model, TIMES PanEU, is soft linked with an impact assessment model, EcoSense, and with a general equilibrium model, NEWAGE. The application looks at three clearly distinguished but likely paths: one where the decarbonisation effort is mostly undertaken by decarbonisation of the energy supply; one where consumers take on a more active role in the decarbonisation, instead; one where ambitions are raised and all sectors of the economy must act together to achieve the targets. In the specific application, it is concluded that 80% reduction is achievable with a decentralised, demand driven system as well as with a centralised one, where the decarbonisation effort mainly comes from the supply side. On the other hand, to achieve a more ambitious reduction target, a broader technology mix and also the effort from both supply and demand side will be required. The synergy between the sectors, especially for the utilisation of the domestic sources such as biomass, will be a decisive factor for the direction of the energy transition.