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Научни трудове на Съюза на учените в България-Пловдив. Серия В. Техника и технологии, естествен ии хуманитарни науки, том XVI., Съюз на учените сесия "Международна конференция на младите учени" 13-15 юни 2013. Scientific research of the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria-Plovdiv, series C. Natural Sciences and Humanities, Vol. XVI, ISSN 1311-9192, Union of Scientists, International Conference of Young Scientists, 13 - 15 June 2013, Plovdiv.
"THE FUTURE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:
MANAGING GLOBALIZATION"
PhD. Elena Tilovska-Kechegi*
PhD. Elizabeta Toseva
Assistant Professors at the Faculty of law-Kicevo
University "St. Kliment Ohridski" - Bitola, Republic of Macedonia
e-mails: elena-tilovska-kechegi@hotmail.com
elizabetatoseva@yahoo.com
Abstract: "Globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade, investment and aided by informational technology".1 Having in mind of what globalization represents, it is obvious that the future of the European Union goes hand in hand with globalization. But globalization as a phenomenon does not only apply to the economic exchanges it applies to the technological, political, cultural aspects in the world. The European Union today plays the role of a global actor through its large economy, by representing the largest market in the world, and it plays the role as a protector of the global security. Through the process of managing globalization the EU will become stronger and stable.
Many analysts believe that globalization can at the same time be a threat and an opportunity for the European Union. Can the European Union mange globalization or is this idea a political rhetoric? The impact of globalization can be positive or negative and can affect everyone. The European citizens believe that the stronger the EU is it can help its citizens have the advantage of globalization while protecting them from its negative effects. So far, it is visible that the EU can manage globalization, because it has the role of a globalizer and it is influenced by the globalization process at the same time.
Key words: Globalization, EU, managing globalization
Introduction: Globalization is an attempt to stop the barriers of trade, communication and cultural exchange. The theory of globalization introduces the openness to the world and through that it will promote the wealth of all nations.2 Globalization as a phenomenon applies to the economic exchanges, to the technological, political and the cultural aspects of life. Many analysts
1 "What is globalization". Online. Available: http://www.globalization101.org
2 "What is Globalization?". Online. Available: http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/introtoforeignpolicy/a/What-Is-Globaliza-tion.htm
believe that globalization is defined more from what it is not, than from what it is. Globalization represents the interconnection and cooperation outside the nation state, which leads to today's model of modern world system. Furthermore, it defines a process where the events, decisions and activities in one part of the world can have significant positive or negative consequences in other parts of the world. 3 Therefore, globalization does not affect only one country but it affects the whole world. Having in mind of what globalization represents, it is obvious that the future of the European Union goes hand in hand with globalization.
The European Union managing globalization: The implications of globalization are worrisome for the EU. Today, even do the European Union is one of the largest economic forces; it still faces the challenge from the fast growing economies of China and India. The problems that the EU faces in this context are: high unemployment, weakness of the education and research system, the barriers for entering the labor market, the gaps between the rich and the poor and many more.4 Managing globalization by the EU is understood as an attempt by private and public actors to ensure that liberalization of rules that apply to the flow of goods and services, capital and labor, are respected, in order to bring together the market players and the governments. But, is managing globalization an expression which is used to calm the Europeans or is it a real policy? Many analysts believe that managed globalization is a rhetoric used to explain to the Europeans that politicians are acting upon the problems created from globalization. 5
Globalization represents big problem to the Europeans. They want the European Union to start acting upon and managing globalization instead of just receiving it. Also managing the enlargement of the European Union is a good way to start managing globalization because these countries present a bigger threat than an opportunity for the EU stability and prosperity. 6
A globalized or globalizing Europe: Globalization and Europeanization are definitions that are very difficult to differentiate. The first definition explains that instead of contributing or participating in the race of globalization, globalization is vied by standing aside and defining its social model, values, and standards. And the second is saying that globalization is not something that can be resisted, you just have to accept it. The only way for the European Union to keep the leading place in the world and to stay the globalizer is by improving its competitiveness7. The European Union holds a strong position in the international political economy; it owns five out of ten largest national economies in the world. Also the European Union integration process can be considered as a globalization project that will lead to EU being a globalizer instead of being globalized. The enlargement of the EU will bring together new financial markets and new political and economic agenda that will contribute to the global integration and the transformation of the international political economy in terms of globalization. 8
Conclusion: The globalization of the economy has created more challenges than opportunities for the EU. At the beginning of this century the European Union started to feel the pressure from the emerging new economies, but none the less the EU still plays a huge role in the world's economy by having the world largest market, being the largest exporter and importer of goods and services. From a global perspective the future of the EU is rather good. The EU may not stay the leading player and the biggest market in the world, but with the institutional innovation and
3 Simon Reich. "What is Globalization?". (The Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies) Online. Available: http:// kellogg.nd.edu/publications/workingpapers/WPS/261.pdf
4 Florin Bonciu. "European Union and the challenges of Globalization". (Roman journal of European affairs). Online. Available: www.ier.rd/documents/rjea_vol6_No2/RJEA_Vol6_No2_EuropeanUnion_and_the_Challanges_of_Globalization.pdf
5 Wade Jacoby, Sophie Meunier. "Europe and the menagment of globalization". (Journal of European public policy, 18 may, 2010). Online. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13501761003662107
6 Wade Jacoby. "Managing globalization by managing Central and Eastern Europe: The EU's backyard as threat and opportunity". (Brigham Young University) Online. Available: www.democracy.uci.edu/files/democracy/docs/conferences/jacoby.pdf
7 Andreas Antoniades. "Social Europe and /or global Europe? Globalization and flexicurity as debates on the future of Europe". Online. Available: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/28871/
8 Andreas Antoniades. "Social Europe and /or global Europe? Globalization and flexicurity as debates on the future of Europe". Online. Available: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/28871/
the new policy this faith can be changed.9 By managing globalization the European Union will become stronger and stable. The European citizens believe that the stronger the EU is it can help its citizens have the advantage of globalization while protecting them from its negative effects. So far, it is visible that the EU can manage globalization, because it has the role of a globalizer and it is influenced by the globalization process at the same time.
References:
Andreas Antoniades. "Social Europe and /or global Europe? Globalization and flexicurity as debates on the future of Europe". Online. Available: http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/28871/
Andrea Renda. "Globaliation, the New Geography of Power, and EU policy
response". Online. Available: http://www.iai.it/pdf/Transworld/TW_WP_10.pdf March,
2013
Florin Bonciu. "European Union and the challenges of Globalization". (Roman journal of European affairs). Online. Available:
www.ier.rd/documents/rjea_vol6_ No2/RJEA_Vol6_No2_EuropeanUnion_and_the_ Challanges_of_Globalization.pdf
Simon Reich. "What is Globalization?". (The Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies) Online. Available: http://kellogg.nd.edu/publications/workingpa-pers/WPS/261.pdf
Wade Jacoby. "Managing globalization by managing Central and Eastern Europe: The EU's backyard as threat and opportunity". (Brigham Young University) Online. Available: www.democracy.uci.edu/files/democracy/docs/conferences/jacoby.pdf
Wade Jacoby, Sophie Meunier. "Europe and the menagment of globalization". (Journal of European public policy, 18 may, 2010). Online. Available: http://dx.doi. org/10.1080/13501761003662107
"What is globalization". Online. Available: http://www.globalization101.org "What is Globalization?". Online. Available:
http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/introtoforeignpolicy/a/What-Is-Globalization.htm
9 Andrea Renda. "Globaliation, the New Geography of Power, and EU policy response". Online. Available: http://www.iai.it/
pdf/Transworld/TW_WP_10.pdf March, 2013
