Gazdasági kormányzás a gazdasági és monetáris unióban - a globális politika lehetetlen szentháromsága szemszögéből (Economic governance in the economic and monetary union – applying the trilemma of global politics)

Az Európai Unió a világgazdaság egyik legfontosabb integrációja. A benne megvalósuló gazdasági integráció szorossága megfelel annak a szintnek, amit Rodrik hiperglobalizációnak nevez. Az elmélet szerint a politika szintjén egyszerre nem megvalósítható a demokratikus politikai döntéshozatal, a teljes világgazdasági integráció, illetve a nemzetállam. A trilemma a globalizáció útjában álló intézményi különbségeken alapszik. Megoldása három módon lehetséges: a demokrácia kiiktatásával a megoldás az arany kényszerzubbony, ahol a piaci mechanizmusok veszik át az állami gazdaságpolitika szerepét; a globális kormányzás megvalósulása esetén a szuverén nemzetállamok tűnnek el a nemzetközi rendszerből; végül a Bretton Woods kompromisszum esetében a globalizáció útjába állítunk akadályokat. Írásunkban a modellt az európai integrációra, egészen pontosan a Gazdasági és Monetáris Unióra alkalmazzuk. Érvelésünk szerint, ha fent kívánjuk tartani az integráció szorosságát, erősíteni kell az integráció szintjén a gazdasági kormányzást, ami pedig csak a tagállami szuverenitás rovására mehet. Ez, mely a GMU esetében leginkább a fiskális föderáció erősítését jelenti ugyanakkor, megnövelve az integráció költségeit, egy többsebességes Európa kialakulása irányába hathat. _____ The European Union with its sophisticated institutional system is the most important regional integration on Earth. This tight form of economic integration converges to the level that Dani Rodrik calls hyperglobalization in his model, the political trilemma of globalisation. In this model Rodrik assumes that from the three desired element of world politics (deep economic integration, the nation state, and democratic politics) only two can be chosen. We can either choose deep integration and the nation state but then we have to abandon democracy; or we can choose deep integration and democracy, but then we have to forfeit the nation state; or we have to circumscribe globalisation to maintain democracy and the nation state. In our paper we develop the mentioned model and then we apply it to the case of the European integration. We argue that if we want to maintain the deep integration among member states in the EU we have to pass more and more functions of the nation states to the federation level. In case of the EMU that means that federal fiscal policy is needed which could lead to multi-speed Europe considering new member states reluctance to give up their specific institutions.

The integraton by trade and FDI of emerging economies: The ASEAN example

The paper investigates the role of regionalization and regional identity in the endeavours of emerging economies to connect successfully to the global world economy. It addresses the question of whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with its loose institutional integration framework, has contributed to the global integration of its very heterogenous members in the first decade of the 21st century – and, if so, what are the drivers behind this. The paper summarizes connecting theories, using a multidisciplinary approach, and uses descriptive statistical analysis to identify the achievements of the ASEAN-6 countries within global trade and foreign direct invesment (FDI) flows in the given time period. We suggest that ASEAN countries, with their efforts to initiate interconnecting regional organizations in Asia, most specifically the ASEAN+3 (APT) construction, did contribute to greater integratedness of member countries; and they have created a regional image with a common market and production base. Such achievements, however, can be in great part attributed to the micro-level activities of international and regional firms wishing to establish cross-border production networks in these countries.

The integration by trade and FDI of emerging economies: The Asian example

The paper investigates the role of regionalization and regional identity in the endeavours of emerging economies to connect successfully to the global world economy. It addresses the question of whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with its loose institutional integration framework, has contributed to the global integration of its very heterogenous members in the first decade of the 21st century – and, if so, what are the drivers behind this. The paper summarizes connecting theories, using a multidisciplinary approach, and uses descriptive statistical analysis to identify the achievements of the ASEAN-6 countries within global trade and foreign direct invesment (FDI) flows in the given time period. We suggest that ASEAN countries, with their efforts to initiate interconnecting regional organizations in Asia, most specifically the ASEAN+3 (APT) construction, did contribute to greater integratedness of member countries; and they have created a regional image with a common market and production base. Such achievements, however, can be in great part attributed to the micro-level activities of international and regional firms wishing to establish cross-border production networks in these countries.

A munkával kapcsolatos értékek és attitűdök változása Közép-Kelet Európában a XXI. század első évtizedében (Changing values and attitudes regarding labour in Central- Eastern Europe in the first decade of 21st century)

A szerző tanulmányában a 2000 és 2010 közötti gazdasági és társadalmi változásokat és a munkával kapcsolatos értékek és attitűdök alakulását állítja időbeli párhuzamba, és azokra a kérdésekre keresi a választ, hogy milyen prioritások jellemzik 2010-ben a munka egyes aspektusaihoz való viszonyulást Közép-Kelet- Európa uniós tagállamaiban, és közöttük kiemelten Magyarországon? Vajon változtak-e ezek a jellemzők az elmúlt tíz év során, s ha igen, milyen irányú az elmozdulás. Azonos tendenciájúak-e a változások a vizsgált országokban? Megállapíthatók-e jellegzetes különbségek három kiválasztott, magas életszínvonalú, régebbi uniós (EU-15) tagországhoz viszonyítva? Elemzése jelentős mértékben támaszkodik az EVSfelmérés 2010-ben közzétett adataira, melynek alapját a 2008 és 2009 során lefolytatott adatgyűjtés képezi. Tanulmányában azokra a közép-kelet-európai országokra összpontosít, amelyek az elmúlt évtized során az unió tagjai lettek, és a 2000-es felmérésben is részt vettek már. _____ The author sets into parallelism economic and social changes and the development of values and attitudes regarding labour between 2000 and 2010, and looks for answers to questions what priorities characterize in 2010 the attitude to some aspects of labour in EU member countries of CEE, and especially in Hungary. Have these features changed in the last decade and in positive case, what is the direction of the shift? Are changes of similar tendency in countries under consideration? Can considerable differences be stated as compared to three selected, earlier EU 15 member countries with high living standard? The analysis largely relies on data of EVS survey, published in 2010 whose basis is the data collection carried out in 2008-2009. The essay focuses on Central Eastern European countries which have become members of the Union during the last decade and took part already in the survey of 2000.

A cocaína e suas manifestações orofaciais

A cocaína é uma droga com ação estimulante no sistema nervoso central, extraída e refinada a partir da planta de coca (Erythroxylum coca). É característica por induzir o consumidor a um estado de hipervigilância reduzindo ao mesmo tempo, o cansaço e a fadiga. Este pó branco, cristalino, de sabor amargo, possui também um efeito anestésico local e vasoconstritor. As formas de apresentação mais comuns da droga são o cloridrato de cocaína e a cocaína crack. Esta droga destaca-se por ser o estimulante mais consumido na Europa com cerca de 3,4 milhões de consumidores estimados no ano de 2014. A prevalência do consumo desta droga em Portugal aumentou 0,3% de 2001, para 2012 na população geral (15-64 anos). Os estudos mais recentes em populações escolares (entre 2010 e 2011) evidenciaram, de um modo geral, o aumento da prevalência de consumo nesta população. Os efeitos adversos resultantes, tanto a nível físico como psíquico, são vários, sendo as manifestações orofaciais as que mais interferem na Qualidade de vida do toxicómano. As manifestações mais frequentes são as perfurações do septo nasal e palatino, bruxismo, gengivite, erosão dentária, xerostomia, cárie, lesões brancas atípicas e cefaleias em salva, tendo o Médico Dentista um papel importante no diagnóstico e tratamento destas lesões. A legislação, ao nível Europeu, sobre drogas procura uma uniformização das medidas aplicadas nos países membros, baseando-se no equilíbrio entre as sanções e o tratamento. Apesar das convenções das Nações Unidas sobre drogas limitarem o consumo de estupefacientes e substâncias psicotrópicas exclusivamente para fins médicos e científicos, cabe aos países signatários a liberdade de decisão das políticas a adoptar em matérias de infrações penais como a posse e o consumo ilegal.

The EU and the Domestic Politics of Welfare State Reforms

Does European integration influence national social policies? What is the use of EU laws, orientations and guidelines? Based on a systematic comparison of ten national cases, including both old and new member states, representing all families of welfare regimes, this volume explores and specifies the mechanisms through which the EU plays a role in domestic social policy changes. It focuses on where, when and how national actors use the tools and resources offered by the process of European integration to support them in the national welfare reforms they are engaged in. The comprehensive research design and the systematic comparisons provide a unique opportunity to fully grasp the mechanisms of domestic welfare state change within the context of the European Union multilevel political system. This book proposes both a new step within the Europeanization and the welfare state literatures. It confirms the idea that Europe matters in a differential way since EU social policy will be selectively used by domestic political actors in accordance with their political preferences. It provides a clear explanation of why no EU-induced social policy change can occur without an overall support offered by key domestic decision-makers. (Résumé éditeur)

A economia brasileira diante da crise mundial : fragilidades e perspectivas de crescimento

O objetivo deste artigo, apoiado nos principais indicadores da economia global e nacional, é pro-mover uma análise dos efeitos da crise mundial e as perspectivas de crescimento da economia bra-sileira no período de 2013-2015. O referencial teórico está apoiado nas Teorias Keynesiana, Neoins-titucionalista e das Finanças Públicas. Trata-se de um artigo bibliográfico, descritivo e qualitativo, cujas discussões estão baseadas nas projeções contidas nos relatórios das principais instituições multilaterais e nacionais brasileiras, em especial nas variáveis econômicas mais relevantes como o crescimento da economia mundial, do comportamento do nível de emprego e da inflação. Os re-sultados das discussões, a partir das análises dos documentos citados, evidenciam que a crise eco-nômica mundial continua impactando de forma preocupante na maioria dos países, em especial, dos países membros da Zona do Euro e Estados Unidos, e que o desempenho da economia brasi-leira deverá crescer num ritmo menor nos próximos anos. Essas constatações permite concluir que se faz necessário a definição de um diagnóstico consistente para o Brasil, que permita uma mudan-ça estrutural no potencial de expansão da economia do país, em especial, preparando de forma mais adequada o seu ambiente macro e microeconômico. _______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

Firm-level trade creation and diversion of regional trade agreements in Thailand

Using highly detailed import data for Thailand, this paper examines firm-level trade creation and diversion of regional trade agreements (RTAs). Specifically, by focusing on firm-product pairs in which firms import a particular product from non-members but not from RTA members in the initial year of our sample, we empirically investigate the start of imports from RTA members under RTA schemes and the cessation of imports from non-members at the firm-level. We find that firms are more likely to stop importing products with low RTA tariff rates or high most-favored-nation tariff rates from non-members and to start importing such products from RTA member countries. However, from the quantitative point of view, there are very few firms that switch import sources from non-members to RTA members when facing the introduction of RTA schemes.

Stock market integration between new EU member states and the Euro-zone

This paper measures the degree in stock market integration between five Eastern European countries and the Euro-zone. A potentially gradual transition in correlations is accommodated by smooth transition conditional correlation models. We find that the correlation between stock markets has increased from 2001 to 2007. In particular, the Czech and Polish markets show a higher correlation to the Euro-zone. However, this is not a broad-based phenomenon across Eastern Europe. We also find that the increase in correlations is not a reflection of a world-wide phenomenon of financial integration but appears to be specific to the European market. JEL classifications: C32; C51; F36; G15 Keywords: Multivariate GARCH; Smooth Transition Conditional Correlation; Stock Return Comovement; New EU Members.

Purification and characterization of Ts15, the first member of a new alpha-KTX subfamily from the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus

Voltage-gated potassium channel toxins (KTxs) are basic short chain peptides comprising 23-43 amino acid residues that can be cross-linked by 3 or 4 disulfide bridges. KTxs are classified into four large families: alpha-, beta-, gamma- and kappa-KTx. These peptides display varying selectivity and affinity for K(v) channel subtypes. In this work, a novel toxin from the Tityus serrulatus venom was isolated, characterized and submitted to a wide electrophysiological screening on 5 different subtypes of Nay channels (Na(V)1.4; Na(V)1.5; Na(V)1.6; Na(V)1.8 and DmNa(V)1) and 12 different subtypes of Kv channels (K(V)1.1 - K(V)1.6; K(V)2.1; K(V)3.1; K(V)4.2; K(V)4.3; Shaker IR and ERG). This novel peptide, named Ts15, has 36 amino acids, is crosslinked by 3 disulfide bridges, has a molecular mass of 3956 Da and pI around 9. Electrophysiological experiments using patch clamp and the two-electrode voltage clamp techniques show that Ts15 preferentially blocks K(V)1.2 and K(V)1.3 channels with an IC(50) value of 196 +/- 25 and 508 +/- 67 nM, respectively. No effect on Na(V) channels was observed, at all tested concentrations. Since Ts15 shows low amino acid identity with other known KTxs, it was considered a bona fide novel type of scorpion toxin. Ts15 is the unique member of the new alpha-Ktx21 subfamily and therefore was classified as alpha-Ktx21.1. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

ICT AND PRODUCTIVITY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: NEW FIRM-LEVEL EVIDENCE FROM BRAZIL AND INDIA

This paper uses a unique new data set on manufacturing firms in Brazil and India to estimate production functions, augmented by information and communications technology (ICT). We find a strong positive association between ICT capital and productivity in both countries that is robust to several different specification tests. The paper also breaks new ground when using the Indian data to investigate the effect of the institutional and policy environment on ICT capital investment and productivity. We find that poorer infrastructure quality and labor market policy are associated with lower levels of ICT adoption, while poorer infrastructure is also associated with lower returns to investment.

New evidence of the real interest rate parity for OECD countries using panel unit root tests with breaks

This paper tests for real interest parity (RIRP) among the nineteen major OECD countries over the period 1978:Q2-1998:Q4. The econometric methods applied consist of combining the use of several unit root or stationarity tests designed for panels valid under cross-section dependence and presence of multiple structural breaks. Our results strongly support the fulfillment of the weak version of the RIRP for the studied period once dependence and structural breaks are accounted for.