Defense Policy as a Pillar of Cohesion and Sovereignty of the EU in the Global Environment
George Vlachos,
Ioannis Vidakis
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, June 2022
Pages:
1-4
Received:
10 January 2022
Accepted:
4 February 2022
Published:
23 March 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijes.20220601.11
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Abstract: During the current political period, substantial political changes are taking place in the European Union (EU) and there are particular external challenges, caused by broader geopolitical rearrangements, mainly due to the shift in US interest towards Southeast Asia. Addressing these issues requires the building of a politico-economic, military, cohesive, and sustainable trans-European network, which will provide solidarity and, above all, security to the European citizens. A decisive step in / towards this direction is the establishment of a permanent and more effective defense mechanism that will not degrade the prestige and role of NATO. In addition, and taking into account that the EU functions, in essence / substantially, as an intergovernmental rather than a supranational organization, the model of multilevel governance as an EU sustainability tool is suggested, citing the recent “Strategic Partnership for Cooperation in Defense and Security” between Greece and France. The recent Russian military invasion of Ukraine, which is upsetting the balance of the global geopolitical environment, demonstrates the need for initiatives and actions by EU Member States to build a new and modernized strategic framework for a common European security and defence policy. It is time for Europe to build a society of security and conflict prevention for all its citizens.
Abstract: During the current political period, substantial political changes are taking place in the European Union (EU) and there are particular external challenges, caused by broader geopolitical rearrangements, mainly due to the shift in US interest towards Southeast Asia. Addressing these issues requires the building of a politico-economic, military, coh...
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Emperor Tewodros II and the Antithesis Between Modernity and Tradition in Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, June 2022
Pages:
5-11
Received:
29 June 2022
Accepted:
27 July 2022
Published:
5 August 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijes.20220601.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: In the western world, the genesis of modernity lies in the negation of custom, tradition and authority and in return the exercising of rationality that enlightens the world. Such a quest of the rational subject is believed to lead to a technical mastery of the environment. Modernity rests on the antithesis between tradition and modernity, where tradition is a seat of custom and conventional authority, and the idea of modernity signifies novelty and perfection. In the Ethiopian context, conventional views on modernity narrowly focus on instrumental rationality, economic development and imitation of western cultural values. Carrying out a thorough investigation of Ethiopia’s history reveals that there are many precursors to the Ethiopian discourse on modernity. Some are literary and artistic and others situated in visions of development and societal progress. One Ethiopian vision of modernity is found in the system of administration introduced by Emperor Tewodros II. Ending the era of the Zemene-Mesafint, the emperor laid the foundations for the modern Ethiopian state, in the process entering into a conflict with the church and established authority. This paper engages in a philosophical analysis of the notion of modernity to show how Emperor Tewodros II made lasting contributions to Ethiopia’s modernity by questioning the authority of the church, instituting a modern system of administration and trying to accelerate technical progress through the building of a military power as foundation to Ethiopia’s modernity.
Abstract: In the western world, the genesis of modernity lies in the negation of custom, tradition and authority and in return the exercising of rationality that enlightens the world. Such a quest of the rational subject is believed to lead to a technical mastery of the environment. Modernity rests on the antithesis between tradition and modernity, where tra...
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