European Context Research Articles

Never bring a knife to a gunfight? Lethality of weapon use in Dutch homicides

Firearm violence is a serious issue in Europe, yet the validity of existing theoretical approaches to weapon use in violent encounters have not been explicitly tested in the European context. This study tested existing hypotheses on weapon use and lethality – the Adversary Effects Hypothesis, the Physical Strength Hypothesis, and the Social Distance Hypothesis – using homicide data from the Netherlands, where detailed data on weapon use in homicide are available. Based on these hypotheses, we expected victim characteristics and the social distance between the victim and perpetrator to affect the modus operandi. However, our results do not align with these expectations when situational control variables are included. We conclude that existing studies on weapon lethality have a limited generalizability due to their assumption of free weapon choice. This is only met in contexts in which legal availability of firearms is high, which is not the case in the Netherlands. In addition, the hypotheses focus too narrowly on victim characteristics, without accounting for the situational factors influencing violent encounters. Based on these insights, we provide suggestions for theoretical and empirical improvements on firearm violence research.

Enhancing freight train delay prediction with simulation‐assisted machine learning

AbstractBoosting the rail freight modal share is an ambitious target in Europe and North America. Yards, where freight trains are arranged, can be crucial in realizing this target by reliable dispatching to the network. This paper predicts freight train departures by developing a simulation‐assisted machine learning model with two concepts: general (adding all predictors at once) and step‐wise (adding predictors as they become available in sub‐yard operations) for hump yards with the conventional layout to provide a generalized model for European and North American contexts. The developed model is a decision tree algorithm, validated via 10‐fold cross‐validation. The model's performance on three data sets—a real‐world European yard, a baseline simulation, and an ultimate randomness simulation for a comparable North American yard—shows a respective of 0.90, 0.87, and 0.70. Step‐wise inclusion of the predictors results differently for the real‐world and simulation data. The global feature importance highlights maximum planned length, departure weekday, the number of arriving trains, and minimum arrival deviation as key predictors for the real‐world data. For the simulation data, the most significant predictors are departure yard predictors, the number of arriving trains, and the maximum hump duration. Additionally, utilization rates—except for the receiving yard—enhance the predictions.

Young Flexitarians: An Insight into Barriers and Facilitators Related to Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Meat Reduction

In recent decades, meat consumption has faced growing scrutiny from an environmental, health, and animal welfare perspective. As a result, reducing meat consumption has emerged as an important strategy to mitigate its negative effects. Flexitarians, a growing group of meat reducers, have attracted attention for potentially shaping future dietary trends. This study uses a qualitative approach and draws on 15 in-depth interviews with young flexitarians in Slovenia (YFS) to identify the main facilitators and barriers to meat reduction by exploring their motivations, capabilities, and opportunities as described in the COM-B behavioral model. This study fills the gap in studies on flexitarians using the COM-B model by looking at capabilities and opportunities, not solely motives. In addition, it fills the gap in qualitative in-depth studies on all three COM-B categories, as well as a gap in studies conducted outside northwest Europe and other primarily western geographical contexts. This study highlights important findings for the central and eastern European context that industry and governments should consider when developing behavior change strategies for healthy, sustainable diets. This study shows that strong rural family ties and limited access to meat alternatives are the major barriers to meat reduction in Slovenia. The YFS preferred whole, unprocessed foods (legumes, vegetables, grains) over processed meat alternatives and reduced their meat consumption primarily for health and environmental reasons, relying on social support from peers and information from popular documentaries and social media influencers.

Evolution of the Concept of Traumatic Experience: Cultural Aspect

The purpose of the article is to conduct a cultural reflection to clarify the peculiarities of the evolution of the concept of traumatic experience, to outline the specifics of its conceptual and semantic deployment in the European socio-cultural space. The research methodology includes general scientific principles of systematisation and generalisation of the problem under study, which allowed to identify and scientifically substantiate existing theories, conceptual approaches to understanding the content of the concepts of ‘trauma’, ‘traumatic experience’, ‘trauma of modernisation’, ‘trauma of social change’. The purpose and objectives of the article led to the use of an axiological approach, which allowed identifying the interdisciplinary nature of the theories under consideration, revealing personalised scientific positions and their cultural context. The use of the analytical method allowed us to identify conceptual foundations for further scientific perspectives on the problematisation of traumatic experience, namely, to clarify the role and significance of cultural/creative practices in processing traumatic experience by studying the evolution of this concept within the framework of the formation of trauma studies as an independent field of scientific knowledge and to make an attempt to develop algorithms for their practical implementation in the discourse of applied cultural studies. The scientific novelty lies in the cultural analysis of personalised scientific positions on the evolution of the concept of ‘traumatic experience’, in view of the specifics of its conceptual and semantic deployment in the European socio-cultural space. Conclusions. The conceptual and semantic development of the concept of traumatic experience unfolds against the dynamic change in the European general socio-cultural context caused by the outbreak and course of the First World War. Already during the war and after its end, on the basis of the empirical experience gained in the treatment of numerous traumas and mental disorders, scientific understanding of their nature, the specifics of traumatic experience manifestations began, and practicing military doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists developed recommendations for its experience, overcoming, and processing/working through. The evolution of the concept of traumatic experience in the discourse of classical psychoanalysis developed in the unity of epistemological and hermeneutical theory of experience, playing a leading role in explicating trauma and traumatic experience in the sphere of interest of various social sciences and humanities, from art history and cultural studies to sociology and political science. By expanding the subject field of studying trauma and traumatic experience, Freud laid the foundation for a methodological principle that is called interdisciplinary and becomes one of the basic ones for further studying trauma and traumatic experience against the broad background of a holistic picture of human existence in society and the world of culture.

Normative and Security Challenges of Transborder Ethnic Kinship in Africa: The Case of Ethiopia

Abstract This article extends the study of securitization of cross-border ethnicity beyond its conventional European focus, by analyzing ongoing security challenges surrounding ethnic Somalis in Ethiopia and their relationship to neighboring Somalia. In methodological terms, it looks beyond the irredentist prism through which this case is usually considered, applying newer conceptual and normative frameworks on cross-border ethnicity developed in a European context and assessing their applicability to Africa. Applying Brubaker's “triadic nexus' concept to the Ethiopian case, I discuss how the conclusion of the Ethiopia-Somalia war and Somalia's collapse as an external kin state did not end the securitization of cross-border Somali kinship, but merely repackaged it in new forms. In this regard, the article highlights a continued need to ensure the human security of Somalis in Ethiopia by recognizing and accommodating them as a cross-border ethnic group. From the standpoint of contemporary norms on the regulation of minority issues in interstate relations, the federalization model adopted by Ethiopia after 1991 seems to provide a promising foundation. Thus far, however, the hegemonic nature of the federal project has failed to grant Somalis an appropriate measure of internal self-determination.

Symposium 3: Content and Language Integrated Learning

European policies mandate encouraging plurilingualism in a digitally enhanced world. This mandate is placing increased demands on higher educational practitioners and institutions to prepare today’s learners with new linguistic skills. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) policy appears to resonate strongly with European aspirations and goals of educating citizens and promoting lingual diversity, pluriculturism, and mobility within the European Union. Whilst offering a potential solution through the interweaving of content and language in a dual-focused educational approach, CLIL is at risk of becoming a ‘buzz word’ without evidence-based research on emerging CLIL practices. This paper suggests a framework for practice-based research in the initial steps of CLIL implementation into HE curriculum and considers expansive learning theory as a theoretical and analytical framework to advance knowledge creation. The deliberate construction of a transciplinary networked learning community is advanced as the outcome and vehicle as the first initiative for CLIL implementation. The partnering and convergence of the knowledge expertise of language experts and subject experts in collaborative reflective practice enhances networked learning within and beyond the institutional boundaries, professional development and learner multiliteracies, including languages, culture, content and digital media. The context for this study is within tertiary architectural education in France where students study architecture in the first language, French, and Language and Communication Skills in the additional language of English as a separate discipline. This lack of convergence appears at odds with the emerging trend and evolution of transdisiplinarity in architectural education and practice where academia and associated professions of architecture, design and engineering increasingly teach, practice and research collaboratively. This desk-based research first examines the significance of CLIL in the European context, its variants, along with the challenges and drawbacks in crossing disciplinary boundaries. The implications for language and disciplinary practitioners and their role are discussed. Transdisciplinary collaborative work, teaching and learning can bridge language and knowledge barriers between the different disciplines in and through the fusion of language learning of, for, and through the languages of architectural practice and content, leading to innovation in curriculum development. Relational agency, in other words calling on the capacity of individuals to jointly work and learn with other practitioners, pedagogies, theories and resources distributed within institutional settings, given that a supportive learning community is possible, can lead to enhanced professional agency, in other words the capacity to act effectively informed by appropriate professional knowledge.. This paper concludes that further research is needed on relational agency within collective activities, such as networked learning communities to advance CLIL implementation.

Early Modern Diplomacy and French Festival Culture in a European Context, 1572-1615

Early Modern Diplomacy and French Festival Culture in a European Context, 1572-1615

ERN eUROGEN Guidelines on the Management of Anorectal Malformations, Part IV: Organization of Care and Communication between Providers.

Being born with an anorectal malformation (ARM) can have profound and lifelong implications for patients and parents. Organization of care and communication between health care providers is an overlooked area of patient care. The European Reference Network eUROGEN for rare and complex urogenital conditions assembled a panel of experts to address these challenges and develop comprehensive guidelines for the management of ARM. The Dutch Quality Standard for ARM served as the basis for the development of guidelines. Literature was searched in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane. The ADAPTE method was utilized to incorporate the newest available evidence. A panel of 15 experts from seven European countries assessed currency, acceptability, and applicability of recommendations. Recommendations from the Dutch Quality Standard were adapted, adopted, or rejected and recommendations were formed considering all available evidence, expert consensus, and the European context. Aspects pertaining to organization of care, patient/parent/health care provider communication, and referral and collaboration between providers caring for ARM patients were assessed. Two new studies were identified. In total, the panel adapted 12 recommendations, adopted 7, and developed 2 de novo. The overall level of newly found evidence was considered low and most recommendations were based on expert opinion. Collaborative care and organization of care are gaining importance in the field of ARM. This guideline gives practical guidance on how to achieve better communication and collaboration between all involved parties, applicable at the European level.

Managing waste packaging for a sustainable future: a strategic and efficiency analysis in the European context

AbstractThe management of package waste has become a critical concern in pursuing sustainable development, particularly within the European context, where environmental regulations and sustainability goals are stringent. This paper presents a comprehensive strategic and efficiency analysis of waste packaging management across Europe, examining current practices, policies, and technological innovations in a sample of countries. The work identifies critical challenges and opportunities in the sector using Data Envelopment Analysis and Multicriteria decision analysis. Our findings reveal significant variations in the efficiency and effectiveness of waste packaging management practices among European countries, influenced by differing policy frameworks, recycling infrastructures, and public awareness levels. Sweden and Luxembourg excel in the sustainable and technical model for recycling, while Austria prevails for recovery in both. The strategic vision suggests an emphasis on green premium, and the most sustainable alternatives are those marked by natural fibres and respect for human conditions. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and communities to enhance waste packaging management efficiency. These include policy harmonisation at the EU level, investment in innovative recycling technologies, and fostering public–private partnerships to drive systemic change. By adopting these strategies, Europe can move closer to achieving its sustainability targets, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a circular economy. So, the implications of this paper are both strategic and political. The former is related to identifying the best strategy related to packaging waste, and the latter is to uniform the efficiency of waste packaging management in Europe.

Is It Possible to Establish an Economic Trend Correlating Territorial Assessment Indicators and Earth Observation? A Critical Analysis of the Pandemic Impact in an Italian Region

The paper is set within the methodological framework of the Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA) process, which is an instrument designed to facilitate sustainable and cohesive policy-making choices at the European level. The article is developed within the context of a European H2020-RICE cooperative project, which utilises the STeMA (Sustainable Territorial Economic/Environmental Management Approach) TIA methodology to investigate the potential relationship between statistical economic indicators, specifically Gross Domestic Product, and related parameters (metadata), and Earth Observation (EO) data. The objective is to provide evidence of socioeconomic trends during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic in the Lazio Region (Italy), with a particular focus on the metropolitan area of the Rome capital city Rome. In line with the pertinent European context and the scientific literature on the subject, the paper examines the potential for combining classical and Earth observation indicators to assess macroeconomic dimensions of development, specifically in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). The results of the analysis indicate the presence of certain correlations between grey data and EO information. The STeMA-TIA approach allows for the measurement and correlation of both qualitative and quantitative statistical indicators with typological functional areas (in accordance with European Commission-EC and Committee of Ministers responsible for Spatial/Regional Planning—CEMAT guidance) at the NUTS (Nomenclature des unités territoriales statistiques) 2 and 3 levels. This facilitates the territorialisation of information, enabling the indirect comparison of data with satellite data and economic trends. A time series of data was gathered and organised for the purpose of facilitating comparison between different periods, beginning with 2019 and extending to the present day. In order to measure and monitor the evolution of the selected territorial economies (the Lazio Region), a synthetic index (or composite indicator) was developed in the economic and epidemic dimensions. This index combines single values of indicators according to a specific STeMA methodology. It is important to note that there are some critical observations to be made about the impact on GDP, due to the discrepancy between the indicators in the two fields of observation.

White-Collar and Corporate Crime in North American and European Contexts

White-Collar and Corporate Crime in North American and European Contexts

Pre-emptive augmentative biological control of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe using Trichogramma spp.

BackgroundFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly invasive pest of maize and other crops worldwide. It has recently been detected in Europe, and it is urgent to test and develop new sustainable control methods adapted to the European context and market. Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids that are sometimes used as biological control agent against S. frugiperda in other continents. However, a major issue using Trichogramma spp. against this pest is that females cannot reach all eggs in an egg mass, which is usually composed of one to three layers of eggs, often covered with scales and hair. Three European Trichogramma species were tested for their ability to parasitize egg masses with one to three layers and with or without hair and scale cover.MethodsTrichogramma brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae were offered five types of S. frugiperda egg masses: one-layer without hair; one-layer with hair; two-layers without hair; two-layers with hair; three-layers with hair. For each treatment, an egg mass laid on paper was placed in a small vial saturated with females, to be sure that all reachable eggs would be parasitized. For each egg mass, the number of eggs in each layer was counted. Fifteen replicates were made per treatment, as well as 10 control vials without Trichogramma sp. Parasitism rates were calculated for each egg mass.ResultsThere were significant differences in the ability of parasitoid species to oviposit through hair and scales and to reach the lower egg layers. Trichogramma dendrolimi was the most efficient species and T. cacoeciae the least. Depending on the number of egg layers and hair and scales, parasitism rates by T. brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae varied between 99 and 41%, 100 and 43% and 100 and 28%, respectively.ConclusionsThe assays confirmed that Trichogramma females cannot easily oviposit through thick layers of hair and scales but overall parasitism rates were higher than found previously. Important variations between species were found, and more Trichogramma sp. and other local natural enemies should be tested pre-emptively before S. frugiperda has invaded Europe.

Toward effective protection of victims of human trafficking in mixed migration flows: referral mechanisms shaped on individual need. The Italian experience and the European perspective

An overview of emerging trends on trafficking of human beings in Italy shows not only an extremely heterogeneous phenomenon but also a complex overlapping of experiences and need of protection of every single victim. In the context of mixed migration flows, persons reaching Italy through the Central Mediterranean and the Balkan routes have often experienced or are at risk of trafficking, and they also apply for international protection upon arrival. Legal categories such as “victims,” “asylum seekers,” and “refugees” are increasingly interconnected and not exhaustive in describing individual experiences and multifaceted vulnerabilities. Against this background, ensuring early identification and assistance for victims of trafficking among asylum seekers is extremely relevant. In Italy, this has led to the development of good practices aimed at implementing the coordination between the asylum and the anti-trafficking systems. In particular, specific Guidelines for Asylum authorities have been adopted to preliminarily identify potential victims of trafficking within the asylum procedure and enable their effective access to protection measures. To comply with specific provisions of the European Trafficking Directive and its transposition into the Italian legal framework, the Guidelines have created a referral mechanism among the asylum authorities and the anti-trafficking system that is unique in the European context. For this reason, the present contribution aims at describing this good practice, its implementation and effects—also at the juridical level—and its limits. Indeed, after the adoption of the instrument, a higher recognition rate of international protection for victims of trafficking has been registered in Italy, both at the administrative and judicial levels; asylum seekers and refugees have also increased their access to the specific protection program for trafficking survivors. In general, the system has strengthened its capacity to fulfill the legal obligation of identifying victims through a multi-agency approach. On the other hand, the ability to conduct screening and preliminary identification of victims of trafficking among asylum seekers is still limited to the “victim model” in terms of gender (women) and form of exploitation (sexual), and to certain stages of the asylum procedure (the first instance before the asylum authorities). With reference to this latter, a comprehensive protection response at the borders is missing despite the political debate on sea and land arrivals to Italy and the recent introduction of border procedures for the assessment of asylum applications. Given the geographical and political centrality of the south-Mediterranean situation in the current migration agenda, the goal of this paper is to analyze the Italian experience on referral mechanisms among trafficking and asylum as an experience that would help to shape future European prospects. The ongoing evolution of mixed migration flows—with particular reference to secondary movement across European countries—and the revised European Directive on trafficking in persons impose the promotion of a reflection on referral mechanisms with a transnational perspective enabling effective protection and the meeting of specific human rights.

CSR as a framework for sustainability in SMEs: The relationship between company size, industrial sector, and triple bottom line activities

Theoretical backgroundCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a very topical issue for companies around the world. In the European context, CSR is especially significant due to legislative demands for its reporting. CSR can positively impact organisations in terms of competitiveness, employer branding, and financial performance. The theoretical background of this study is based on the CSR pillars, which are social, economic, and environmental CSR activities. PurposeThe research aimed to investigate the awareness of CSR among Czech companies and to report the frequency of CSR activities. The purpose of the investigation was to analyse the relationship between the characteristics of companies and the realisation of CSR activities. Research methodologyA quantitative study among 1703 Czech companies focused on their knowledge of CSR, its implementation in corporate strategy, and the realisation of individual CSR activities. Analysis of variance and logistic regression were used with predictors: company size, industry in which it operates, and differences in time between data collection rounds. Main resultsThe results showed the effect of company size and industry sector on both the knowledge of CSR issues and the number of activities realized in the individual CSR pillars. The results further describe in detail the relationship between company characteristics and specific CSR activities. Originality/valueCSR practices in Czech SMEs have not been adequately covered in existing studies. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the frequency of implementation of CSR activities among Czech companies. Research limitationsThe present study provides a large sample of companies selected proportionally to their representation in the Czech Republic, which resulted in an imbalance in the individual characteristics of the companies in the sample. The study is also limited by three main independent variables and cannot provide extensive insight into all influences. Practical implicationsThe results can be used by companies to benefit from comparing themselves with other market participants or with the average situation in the monitored markers. They are also useful for further comparison between countries and for analysing the development of CSR activities over time.© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of the College of Management, National Cheng Kung University. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Adaptation de la vaccinologie aux maladies infectieuses émergentes : innovations en recherche et coopération internationale

A remarkable acceleration in the development of vaccines was witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, progress along the vaccine research and development continuum must continue, particularly in the context of epidemic preparedness and response. In this review, we explore recent innovations that have advanced vaccinology, particularly in the development of antigens and vaccine platforms, as well as clinical evidence strategies that accelerate the evaluation of vaccine candidates, adapted to an epidemic setting. We discuss the challenges of international collaboration, notably in the European context, and accessibility to vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. This analysis leads us to the conclusion that technological innovation and global collaboration must be developed simultaneously and in synergy to improve our response to the next epidemic.

William Wordsworth, Child of Nature, Child of the Century: The Crisis of The Prelude in European Context

When he first heard in May of 1804 that Bonaparte intended to declare himself emperor, Beethoven famously tore off the dedication page of his third (‘Eroica’) symphony. In roughly the same time-frame during 1804–05 Wordsworth was coming to the conclusion of his first full version of The Prelude (completed May 20, 1805), with similar attention to Napoleon. I want to use this compositional coincidence as a lead-in to a concentrated reading of Book X of The Prelude which can lead to a stronger connection between Wordsworth and not just Beethoven, but the whole of nineteenth-century European literature, especially the great tradition of novels in France. By following carefully his intricate structuring of the stages of his crisis and its resolution we can arrive at a new way of seeing Wordsworth’s links to the broad landscape of nineteenth-century European literature.

Comparative Analysis Of Ai Governance In Africa Relative To Global Standards And Practices

Africa as a continent recognizes the need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance frameworks. However, despite initiatives like the African Union's Continental AI Strategy, African nations grappled with challenges in formulating comprehensive AI policies, while established global frameworks provided advanced benchmarks for comparison. To address this disparity, this study conducted a comparative analysis of AI governance in Africa relative to global standards and practices. Employing a comprehensive document analysis methodology, the research examined key policy documents, strategic frameworks, and regulatory guidelines across African, European, American, and Asian contexts. The findings revealed that while the African Union demonstrated commitment to coordinated AI governance, African approaches generally lagged behind global benchmarks in comprehensiveness, formalization, and ethical integration. The study identified a notable fragmentation in AI governance across African nations, contrasting with more unified approaches in other regions. African frameworks emphasized leveraging AI for socio-economic development, diverging from the risk mitigation focus seen in EU regulations. The integration of indigenous African ethical perspectives in AI governance frameworks was limited, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Significant disparities in digital infrastructure and AI capacity between Africa and other regions were found to affect governance implementation. The study concluded that despite these challenges, there was potential for Africa to develop innovative, context-specific AI governance models that could contribute valuable insights to the global discourse on responsible AI development. Recommendations included accelerating the implementation of the Continental AI Strategy, prioritizing investment in digital infrastructure, developing Africa-centric AI ethics frameworks, establishing mechanisms for regular benchmarking against global standards, fostering increased collaboration, and implementing AI literacy programs across the continent.

Rural Attractiveness Index and Its Visualization as Tools to Support Local and Regional Decision-Making

Promoting rural regions is crucial for societies all over the world. Prosperous and vital rural regions can contribute to solving many pressing problems that threaten humanity, such as climate change, poverty, hunger, health or clean energy. The attractiveness of rural regions can be improved through targeted measures and support. For the design of such targeted interventions, high-quality assessments of rural attractiveness can provide a solid information basis. However, the attractiveness of rural regions is a complex construct and therefore difficult to assess. Thus, in this paper, we present tools for the assessment of rural attractiveness that address these complexities and support use and interpretation of the results of rural attractiveness assessments by stakeholders: First, we develop a Rural Attractiveness Index (RAI) which provides a general blueprint for assessing rural attractiveness, yet still is flexible and adaptable to each specific context. As integrated measure of rural attractiveness it also facilitates interpretation by stakeholders. Second, to further enhance interpretation and communication, we propose to visualize the RAI in map-based form. We demonstrate the application of these tools through an illustrative showcase in a European context. We discuss strengths, limitations and challenges of the presented tools and highlight directions for future research.

Combating Food Waste: Legal Analysis and Fiscal Solutions in the Italian and European Context

This contribution aims to analyze the new measure of Food Income, an Italian legislation that has been introduced recently to combat food poverty. This tool enables the free distribution of food parcels made from unsold commercial products, donated by participating businesses to people in absolute poverty. Beginning with the analysis of the measure, which is currently being tested in some Italian municipalities, the goal of this contribution is to provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and developments in addressing food waste within the Italian legal system, offering a comparative and multilevel perspective on the multiple purposes that can be served by a sustainable food chain.

Le gouvernement est encore le seul Européen de la Russie… О концепции «Русского момента» Маршалла Т. По

The history of studying the processes of modernization of the state and society and the transition from tradition to modernity in Russia has come a long way. Researchers from different schools and directions have offered a wide variety of explanations for the phenomenon of Russian modernization, trying to answer the question of whether Russia was really able to go this route to the end and what is unique about the Russian version of modernization. Naturally, when discussing this problem, most humanities scholars viewed it from a Eurocentric position, placing Russia, depending on the traditions of the school to which they belonged, either in a European context or in an Asian one. The American historian Marshall Poe, in his book about the “Russian moment” in history, which became a bestseller, tried to give his original answer to the question – why Russia, unlike other early modern nonEuropean empires, succeeded on the path of modernization, given that the starting conditions were unfavorable to her. The secret of the success of Russia, which, according to M. Poe, is not Europe, and especially not Asia, was that the Russian military elite was able to create a political regime (autocracy as an ideal form of monarchy, brought to the absolute), which ensured the mobilization of the meager Russian resources to resist Western expansion. Along the way, the autocracy, as M. Poe believed, restructured Russian society accordingly, resorting to methods of sophisticated social engineering. M. Poe’s concept cannot be denied of harmony, logic and persuasiveness, but, as the author of the review shows, in pursuit of an effective presentation, the author of “The Russian Moment” deliberately omitted a number of essential details of the Russian historical process. As a result, closer examination of his concept reveals that it suffers from a number of inherent flaws that cast doubt on its entirety and, according to the author of the review, make it nothing more than a curious historiographical artefact.