Scientific Annals of “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi (New Series) POLITICAL SCIENCE

The Revision of Albania’s National Interest in the Context of the Strategic Partnership

Elmas Haxhiraj — 2023-12-18

This paper aims to analyze a previously unexplored issue, such as the revision of Albania’s national interests in the context of the strategic partnership. The objective is to move away from traditionalist approaches in the Western Balkans which consider Albania’s ‘National Interest’ as unsustainable and a derivative of changes in Foreign Policy with direct implications in the framework of constitutive rules in multilateral relations. Through the qualitative method, the study sets to add knowledge to the body of literature that the constructivist approach in relation to other theories can offer a more acceptable understanding of Foreign Policy in the Western Balkans and change our view regarding the National Interest of Albania. The data used for Albania were obtained from the National Strategies of the last two years. Having such a perspective, the article, argues that the growth of and revision of Albanian National Interest in the Balkans and specifically in Northern Macedonia, also supported by the strategic partnership with the allies, has transformed it into one of the main actors in the region from a geostrategic point of view. At the same time, Open Balkans Initiative is a constant priority of Albanian Foreign Policy and the wider region, positively evaluated by the EU for opening membership negotiations and improving interstate cooperation. Consequently, Albania’s Strategic Partnership with the European Union, the United States of America, and Turkey is a key priority for strengthening the geostrategy‑economy‑politics triangle. This further adapted in geopolitical terms for the region, the importance of the Adriatic Sea‑Eighth Corridor, and integration into the European Union.

Three Types of Criticism of Machiavellian realism

Bogdan Constantin Mihailescu — 2023-12-18

In political thinking of the XVI‑XVIII centuries, at least three categories of criticism against Machiavelli can be noted: the minimalist one, specific to those who accept realism, but not all consequences that occur; the moderate criticism of those who, though they consider the foundation of Machiavellian realism wrong, recognize the existence of a certain kind of useful practical wisdom; the radical criticism of those who see the whole Machiavellian approach as flawed and dangerous. Even if these critics are not entirely convincing, their analysis remains useful. We understand better both the way the ethico‑political model was defended in the post‑renaissance world, as well as some of intellectual sources of modern political rationalism or idealism.

Content and Outcome of Promises: Algeria Presidential Elections 2019

Zineddine Touil — 2023-12-18

Since always, electoral promises – subject of political market – make their campaign and elect their candidates. Promises are the one‑upmanship between rivals and contenders for the government of public affairs. But they are also qualified, particularly by experts and opponents, as illusory and not feasible once the candidate is elected. In this paper we focus on the 2019 electoral campaign in Algeria in order to demonstrate, through three examples of promises announced by the elected president, that promises are ambiguous and can be perceived differently depending on whether one is candidate or voter, interpretations that certainly have implications for decision making and then for public policy.

On the Value of „Common Sense” as a Means of Detecting Misinformation

Ovidiu Gherasim Proca — 2023-12-18

The optimism with which the development of major Web 2.0 platforms was greeted in the first decade of the 21st century has been progressively replaced by skepticism and even by major concerns about the ability of new media oligopolies to seize control over public discourse and to use it without much consideration for the public good. Nowadays, the topic of „fake news” creates obsessive anxiety. Various experts and numerous organizations were called upon to contribute to speech verification and control initiatives promoted by the public authority. However, the fact that such initiatives implicitly claim an epistemic superiority that the supposed victims of disinformation tend not to recognize highlights the value of approaches more receptive to the idea of epistemic equality. The following article investigates the usefulness of a means of intersubjective knowledge as accessible as it is frequently ignored or challenged by scientists: the common sense. I will argue in favor of the hypothesis that common sense can help spontaneously detect disinformation interventions of a specific variety.

Reflections on Electronic Government: Challenges, Limitations and (Un)Realistic Expectations

Nicoleta Loghin (Dumitriu) — 2023-12-18

E‑governance is a concept that transcends simple administrative modernization. It is an end in itself, a way of approaching an impressive potentially beneficial coexistence between society and technology: it combines the knowledge, resources and needs of society with the potential and capacity of technology to create a more efficient and accessible government environment. Exploring the evolution of e‑government from concept to vision, highlighting the need for its advancement in the contemporary world, we argue for its value as a resource for policy and administration. Through the analysis of empirical studies we will illustrate the concept, evolution, benefits and challenges of e‑government. We emphasize the importance of e‑government not only as a tool for modernization and efficiency but also as a facilitator for democratic processes and civic engagement. By highlighting how e‑government reconciles the demands and needs of society with the potential of technology we can provide a complex and balanced perspective. Considering people as both architects and beneficiaries of transformation, we emphasize the significance of this society‑technology coexistence. Coexistence where e‑government remains an engine of societal progress where people and technology work synergistically to build a more connected and prosperous future. This complex dynamic is the foundation of the idea of a connected and progressive society in which each individual can become an active and influential resource in the governance process.

Madeleine Albright, Fascismul. Un avertisment

Ovidiu Gherasim Proca — 2023-12-18

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