The Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy Yearbook 2009

Description

The year 2009 finds Europe at a crossroads. The European Union faces the challenges posed by the Lisbon Treaty under the impact of a major international financial and economic crisis. Transatlantic relations are stimulated by the change of administration in Washington. On both sides of the Atlantic political priorities focus on the build-up of social protection against economic recession, the adoption of innovative energy and environmental policies, the promotion of security and the prevention of humanitarian disasters in unstable areas, notably the Middle East and Africa. This book addresses this complex international environment through essays that were presented in publications and public events of the Constantinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy. It brings together prominent scholars and policy makers from various national backgrounds. Their contributions highlight policies and ideas that shape issues of international interest, reflecting also the public debate in Greece within the European context. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-8 Transforming South-East Europe: A Challenge for Smart Power....Pages 9-14 Greece–France: A New Alliance....Pages 15-19 The Czech Presidency of the European Union: A Return to Roots....Pages 21-25 Quo Vadis , Europe?....Pages 27-34 The ‘Promise’ of the Lisbon Treaty: A Critical Reading....Pages 35-40 Climate Change and Its Effects in Greece....Pages 41-46 Union for the Mediterranean, or Nicolas Sarkozy's Voluntarism in International Relations....Pages 47-53 Does Too Much Regulation Stifle Employment?....Pages 55-65 Greek Ideals in the American Democracy....Pages 67-71 The Miracle and the Defects....Pages 73-77 Euro–Atlantic Relations Following the Election of Barack Obama in the United States....Pages 79-86 The Forgotten Crisis: Rising Food Prices....Pages 87-91 On the Road to Damascus: Towards a New European Policy on the Middle East?....Pages 93-97 The Unrest of the 1960s: Common Grounds and Legacy....Pages 99-102 The Return of Cultural Property to Its Countries of Origin....Pages 103-107 Back Matter....Pages 109-113