Suchergebnisse

In recent years, the democratization efforts required for EU integration have been challenged by authoritarian regimes' persistence across some Southeast European countries. This study focuses on Albania as a case study, examining the endurance of political and administrative cultural legacies within its public institutions. Despite numerous reforms aimed at EU integration and democratization processes, institutional transformation remains impeded by outdated behavioural attitudes, concepts, and mindsets. The efficacy of democracy is intrinsically linked to the adherence to fundamental principles within the realm of Public Administration, encompassing key values such as meritocracy, impartiality, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to public service. Moreover, a resilient judiciary is pivotal in upholding integrity by acting as a bulwark against malfeasance and procedural impropriety. Additionally, the autonomy of the media and the empowerment of civil society are indispensable requisites for sustaining a robust democratic framework. Collectively, these elements serve as the bedrock for establishing and perpetuating a well-functioning democratic system. Various scholars highlight that political culture can impact the implementation of good governance practices, values, and behavioural methods. This research delves into the challenges Albania, an early-stage EU aspirant, encounters over three decades as it endeavours to adopt EU norms during the transformation of public institutions. The study considers the influence of internal hindrances, including political memory and past legacies, on the reform process and the Europeanization of Public Administration. By analysing these factors, the research aims to gain insights into the negative internal dynamics and provide recommendations for fostering a democratic political culture that strengthens institutions through effective reforms.

Today, in times of globalization and anarchy regarding global security concerns and global order in general, one can expect a dramatic shift to soft power in approaching unresolved sensitive issues that have plagued and petrified the whole system of international relations. But since there is friction and lack of constructive communication between great powers global disorder will continue to disperse divergences, conflicts, exclusions, cultural-ideological biases and extremism around the world. The world environment reveals itself uncertain with a bunch of challenges ahead that require the utilization of soft power values and its potential to resolve some of these sensitive issues in a durable time frame. Although globalization tends to shrink the role of hard power in general because of the growing interdependence relation among states, one can still observe some cases where states base their actions solely on hard power or are still attached to its means and strategies. Conversely, other states seem unwilling to share and exchange values or attracts other actors or states by argument or persuasion in order to achieve common goals. This paper aims to analyze the role of soft power, namely the power to persuade and attract through its "values dimension", its effectiveness to complement hard power and cases where its role has been ignored.