Issue published: 31 December 2014

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Culture and Experience: Generalized Trust among Romanian Migrants in Italy and Spain

Paul E. Sum and Gabriel Bădescu, p. 7–26

Abstract: Generalized trust is associated with many positive political outcomes including enhanced social cohesion. Theory explains generalized trust as a combination of cultural and experiential factors. We consider sources of generalized trust among Romanian migrants, a dynamic population confronting a new environment. What factors within their new cultural context explain the level of trust they have toward strangers? Using data collected from Romanian migrants in Italy and Spain, we address this question. Our model includes exposure to an ethnically diverse environment, the presence of family, perceived hostility from host country citizens, personal crises, and illegal work status. We find that interpersonal experiences contribute to the level of generalized trust among migrants. Most importantly, negative social interactions or episodes correlate with lower levels of trust. We show that generalized trust is malleable amongmigrants suggesting that the experience of migration overrides the normally rigid level of trust that individuals hold. Our findings further suggest that successful integration of migrants, a collective good for the host country, can be effectively advanced through minimizing triggers of social vulnerability.

Keywords: generalized trust, migration, social intergration, Romania, Italy, Spain

In the Shadow of Empire. Reflecting on the Political-Strategic Position of the Small States in Europe and the Caribbean Basin during Cold War

Mitchell Belfer, p. 27–45

Abstract: Revisionist takes on the Cold War have entered public discourses and rendered understanding of the lead‑up to, and unfolding of, the long game of brinkmanship between the US and USSR unintelligible. While this work does not seek to redress the meta‑problems of current treatments of the Cold War, it does seek to examine some of the undercurrents during that period of international relations history. Specifically, this work presents a theoretical assessment of the small states that comprised the rank and file members of the Cold War blocs. The states of the Caribbean Basin, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe are used to illustrate the theoretical underpinnings of this work. Ultimately, this work deviates from more conventional understandings of the Cold War by intellectually reflecting on the manner in which small states were treated by their bloc leaders.

Keywords: Small States, Cold War, Latin America, Caribbean, Central and EasternEurope, Revolution

The Polish and Spanish Roads to Democracy over the Last 25 Years: A Comparative Analysis

Agnieszka Kasińska-Metryka, p. 47–56

Abstract: In contemporary Spain, we can observe the turbulence of the political system.This is closely connected with ‘de‑democratisation,’ which describes the erosion of existing values and the search for new forms of political participation and the organisation of power. The main questions of this study refer to historical similarities in the transformation/transition of Poland and Spain and the nature of changes during the economic crisis, and try to predict future events in these two countries. Geopolitical factors and historical similarities enable us to use comparative methods to study the developmentof the Polish and Spanish systems and the direction of changes. The research hypothesis points to a weakening of ideological determinants and the growing importance of economic factors (especially in Spain). Current issues in Spain help us draw the conclusion that existing differences between Poland and Spain affect thinking about politics.

Keywords: Spain, Poland, transition, elites, democratisation, de‑democratisation

European Tax Policy and the Single Common Market

Monika Bušovská, p. 57–70

Abstract: Achieving a single and common market is one of the main priorities duringthe European Union (EU) integration process. For this purpose, it was planned to unify tax rules throughout the entire Community of 28 countries. Subsequently, the original purely economic‑oriented cooperation gave rise to a Community that is now working together in a number of areas, of which taxation is one. The main question of this paperis whether European Union tax policy has met the objective of a single common market.This research focuses on the issue of whether tax systems converge in the areas of tax burdens and tax rates. Beta- and sigma‑convergences are used to meet the goals of the paper. A number of models are created as proof of this convergence. The results suggest evidence of convergence in the areas of tax burdens and tax rates during the analysed period.

Keywords: convergence, tax burden, tax rates, EU, beta‑convergence, sigma‑convergence