*** PIERRE CALAME, BENJAMIN DENIS, ERIC REMACLE (Eds.): L'Art de la paix. Approche transdisciplinaire. Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes - Peter Lang (1 av. Maurice, B-1050 Brussels. e-mail: info@peterlang.com - Internet: http://www.peterlang.net ). "Regards sur l'International" series, No. 1. 2004, 363 pp. ISBN 90-5201-228-8.
In the run-up to the holidays, if you haven't yet decided on holiday partners who will allow you to do more than sit and stew on a beach, this book should be one of the first things you choose. It will provide creative reflection matter to people who hope during their summer breathing space to shed the stressful habits of daily working life and remember that the future remains to be forged and we can all contribute to it. Following the scandalous bombings in London, writing on the Art of Peace may seem like an intellectual provocation, like the inauguration of the Bernheim Chair of Peace and Citizenship Studies at the Université libre de Bruxelles with a conference on the same issue barely weeks after the 11th September 2001. Nevertheless, as Prof. Eric Remacle and Benjamin Denis point out in the introduction, the art of war and the art of peace are two sides of the same coin, "the first being part of an approach to rationalise the conditions of conflict (…), the second part more voluntarist and utopian tradition of eradicating the causes of conflict". Following Herodotus 'No one is so foolish to prefer war to peace', so why not continue, boost even, the desire to fight back against the inevitability of war by taking inspiration from Ernst Bloch's 'hope principle' that "what distinguishes man from animals is not limiting ourselves to repetition but anticipating the possible by building utopias".
The authors explore this rather more utopian than idealist approach "that does not see the culture of peace as a transcendent ideal that human beings ought to approach, but rather as a collective choice based on individual and civil responsibility" by comparing and contrasting their knowledge as economists, engineers, linguists, specialist public health doctors, philosophers, political scientists, psychologists and sociologists. Three boom periods in the art of peace are identified, and there is a separate section of the book on each. "De la violence à la paix" looks at changes from a situation of war to peace and vice versa, not considering the two as hermetically sealed or clearly separated. The breeding ground for violence in what seem to be peaceful situations, and the levers of peace in situations of conflict are sought out, with violence and peace seen as intimately connected, like two orders of reality fertilising and rubbing shoulders with each other. The next section on "La culture de la paix" looks at peace as the function of a 'spirit' diffused throughout society and incarnating a plethora of different polymorphic practices. This approach is based on revealing the conflicts inherent in society, or in one's private life, as a foundation for the process of pacification, and the extraction of the peace issue from sovereign entities holding the monopoly of legitimate violence, to establish it as a meshing of common social interactions. Entitled "la paix comme enjeu international", the last part of the book looks at whether a form of international community has been formed, the type of relations states maintain with one another - particularly the level of universality and empathy they embody - feeding into the political universe where questions of peace and war between nations are played out. Particular attention is paid to the rise of terrorism and the affirmation of the European Union on the global chess board.
With the positive seeds it sows, this excellent book opens with a quintessential essay by the first holder of the Bernheim Chair, Pierre Calame, President of the Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation for the Advancement of Humanity, who traces the links between debate around peace issues and debate on governance, arguing that more than any other body, Europe is in a position to rethink governance as long as its manages to develop new European thinking on governance issues. He makes seven startling and refreshing arguments to this end. Firstly, he claims that globalisation is not economic globalisation since one is the fact and awareness of a community of destiny for humanity, while the other is a belief, mainly propagated by rich countries, that the common progress of humanity is automatically ensured by free trade, turning everything into a saleable good, and progress in science and technology. In terms of democracy, culture, economics, building global governance and the search for meaning, this leads to two radically different versions of the idea of humanising globalisation. His other big ideas are the fact that huge changes are vital to cope with the challenges of the twenty-first century, given the inability of the big players to plan and manage such change. A global civil society must be built. Europe must unveil proposals for world governance and agree to be a major player in the management of the planet, despite Europe's limits and crises, since it is a prototype of the regional bodies that will play a decisive role in this new government arrangement. Pierre Calame then argues that "democracy is not triumphing, but is in crisis, and this boosts the importance of new governance in Europe" - ideas which are replete with meaning after the outcome of some referendums - and, finally, that "citizenship is defined as a balance between rights and obligations, freedoms and responsibilities". His reflection leads readers to deduce that calls for another globalisation have a fine future ahead of them if its supporters accept Pierre Calame's invitation to extricate themselves from the nihilism it is currently imbued with…
Michel Theys
*** ABDELWAHAB HECHICHE: Pour une nouvelle morale internationale: les Sciences et les Arts au service de la paix ? Publisud (15 rue des Cinq-Diamants, F-75013 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 45807850 - Fax: 45899415 - e-mail: ediplublisud@wanadoo.fr). 2005, 75 pp, €16. ISBN 2-86600-869-3.
Based on a conference held by the Académie européenne des Sciences, des Arts et des Lettres, which includes seventy Nobel Peace Prize Winners acting as volunteers in collaboration with UNESCO, the author (himself a lecturer in the United States active in various inter-religion dialogue projects and member of the Académie européenne des Sciences, des Arts et des Lettres) looks at the link between science and art as instruments for peace. Concerned about the danger of religion returning as an ideological force, he is at great pains to find other reasons for continuing to believe in a culture for peace, although he admits that culture does not necessarily lead to a culture for peace.
(MT)
*** YVES BUCHET DE NEUILLY: L'Europe de la politique étrangère. Economica (49 rue Héricart, F-75015 Paris). "Etudes politiques" series. 2005, 255 pp, €30. ISBN 2-7178-5008-2.
Never before have Europeans appeared as divided as during the last war in Iraq. In the edited doctoral thesis published in this book, the author is at pains to provide a more nuanced view. Senior lecturer in political science at Université Lille II, Yves Buchet de Neuilly argues that the European foreign policy is taking form, in its own particular alternative and chaotic way, part-way between the European Community and an intergovernmental system. Reporting on this institutionalisation process, he reveals in the first part of the book the conditions formalising measures of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the Treaties, and studying in detail the nature of the domain of intergovernmental conferences, particularly the one leading to the Treaty of Amsterdam. The second part of the book centres on the 'operational games' of European foreign action, the use of the CFSP instruments in a period of diplomacy predominantly characterised by the Yugoslav Wars, the Middle East peace processes and wars in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The author shows how every single foreign policy initiative and action provides an opportunity to interpret, amend, anticipate or reconstruct institutional arrangements, independently of any changes being made to the Treaties. He explains how the inter-sectoral aspects of the CFSP can only be understood once the connected domains have been identified and understood (namely traditional political diplomacy and the EU's foreign economic activity) and that these days it far outstrips the competing collaborations that characterised the first years of European political cooperation (at the beginning of the 70s). The author also demonstrates that the instability of the new CFSP measures is also a fundamental cause of the tensions characterising its coming into force, and the definition of the role of the Commission. Scattered throughout the book are comments and theoretical continuations that could be made to 'the European foreign policy institutions' chaotic journey'.
(PBo)
*** HERIBERT SALDIK: Deutsche Außenpolitik in der Ostseeregion. Global Governance auf subregionaler Ebene. Peter Lang (1 Moosstrasse, Postfach 350, CH-2542 Pieterlen, Switzerland. Tel: (41-32) 3761717 - Fax: 3761727 - e-mail: publicity@peterlang.com - Internet: http: //http://www.peterlang.de ). "Europäische Hochschulschriften - Publications Universitaires Européennes - European University Studies", Series XXXI, No. 505. 2004, 244 pp. ISBN 3-631-53198-2.
This doctoral thesis by a young political scientist at Friburg-in-Brisgau University looks at German post-Cold War foreign policy towards the Baltic States. Using various global governance theories and ideas, Heribert Saldik first analyses bilateral relations between Germany and Scandinavian countries, Poland, the United States and Russia. He then studies the transfer of power to sub-regional and international players in the region, including the European Union and NATO. The role of Euro-regions and cooperation networks (of cities, parliaments and chambers of commerce) around the Baltic Sea are also examined. The book ends with a brief assessment of theoretical global governance instruments and their chance of success and application limits, both politically and practically, in regional integration. An excellent, practical and detailed study of the different levels and initiatives for political and economic integration of the Baltic Sea region, recommended to anyone interested in this part of Europe. (PB)
*** MARC VUIJLSTEKE, FLORICICA OLTEANU (Eds.): Turkey on its way to the EU. College of Europe (11 Dijver, B-8000 Bruges. Tel: (32-50) 477111 - Fax: 477110 e-mail: info@coleurop.be - Internet: http://www.coleurop.be/publications.htm ). "Collegium" series. Spring 2005, No. 31, 104 pp.
This collection of six essays in French or English on Turkey's journey towards the European Union, half of which was written by EU experts and half by Turkish experts, does not look at the highly charged debate between 'Yes' and 'No' supporters, but aims to illuminate readers about a process and two options. The first, already underway, is Turkey's resolve to make moves, in an unprecedentedly rapid manner, towards joining the EU. The second option, whose mechanisms and consequences are examined in the book, is the possible acceptance of the EU Member States of this new Member State, in light of what Turkey can provide and the role they see in the world for the European Union. The book points out that both Turkey and the European Union will have changed significantly by the time the negotiations are scheduled to be concluded and a long-term vision is needed, rather than on focussing on short-term interests.
(FRo)
*** VOLODYMYR TERESHCHENKO: Evolution der politischen Beziehungen zwischen der Ukraine und der EU 1991-2004. Peter Lang (see above)."Europäische Hochschulschriften - Publications Universitaires Européennes - European University Studies", Series XXXI, No. 509. 2004, 270 pp. ISBN 3-631-53342-X.
The political relations between the EU and the Ukraine are examined in detail in this doctoral thesis by young political scientist Volodymyr Tereshchenko, graduate of the International Relations Institute of Taras Shevchenko University in Kiev and researcher at Münster University in Germany. Outlining political developments in the Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukrainian foreign policy in 1991-2004, and the EU's policy towards Ukraine, EU enlargement and the CFSP, the author provides a dense, detailed panoramic overview of relations between these two great partners. Written just before Ukraine's presidential elections and the Orange Revolution, this excellent study is nevertheless perfectly relevant for researchers and political practitioners as it sheds light on the broad strands and strategic interests underlying the EU's partnership with the Ukraine. (PB)
*** YVES TOMIC: La Serbie du prince Milos à Milosevic. Peter Lang - Presses Interuniversitaires Européennes (see above). "Europe plurielle" series, No. 27. 2004, 165 pp. ISBN 90-5201-203-2.
Responsible for the Balkans section at the Bibliothèque de documentation internationale contemporaine de l'Université de Paris X-Nanterre (a university library), Yves Tomic - Secretary General of the Association française d'études sur les Balkans and joint founder of the review 'Balkanologie' - sets out in this short but very dense book the tumultuous history of Serbia, from the insurrections against the Ottomans at the start of the nineteenth century to the fall of Slobodan Milosevic's regime. Explaining the country's recent history by setting events against the backdrop of the long drawn-out construction of a Serbian nation, the author illustrates the context which gave rise to the Serb nationalist movement in the second half of the 1980s, thereby shedding light on the historic background of the wars throughout the whole of the last decade.
(LD)
*** The EUROPEAN COMMISSION (Official Publications Office of the European Communities, L-2985 Luxembourg. Internet: http: //publications.eu.int) has published the following document:
*** Inforegio news. DG Regional Policy, Unit 01 (Fax: (32-2) 2966003 - E-mail: regio-info@cec.eu.int). May 2005, No. 134, 2 pp.
This two-page newsletter, published in all 19 official EU languages, highlights current events in regional policy, focussing on positive outcomes for the 10 new Member States in terms of Cohesion Policy. There were initial fears about the new Member States' ability to absorb EU funding, but remarkable progress has been made in managing funding and selecting projects, hence starting to meet their enormous growth potential. There is an article on the Financial Perspectives and the Budget for 2006, which will continue to gradually introduce and increase cohesion aid in the most disadvantaged regions. Another article looks at aid to the West Midlands, an area of the UK devastated when the Rover car company folded. There are 5 brief notes on connected subjects.
*** Rivista di studi politici internazionali. Rivista di studi politici internazionali (40 Lungarno del Tempio, I-50121 Florence. Tel: (39-55) 666384). April-June 2005, No. 286, 190 pp. €15.50. Annual subscription: €62.
This issue focusses on two main topics - the role of Christianity in the European project, and transatlantic relations. Christianity is examined in articles on Jean-Paul II, the correct use of freedom, and an article by the President of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, on late Jean Paul II's role in fostering peace around the world. Transatlantic relations are examined from the viewpoint of NATO, Council of Europe Resolution 1421 on relations between Europe and the United States, and in an article by Kjell M. Torbiörn looking back at relations between Europe and the United States from the nineteenth century to the present day.
*** Revue d'Allemagne et des Pays de langue allemande. Société d'Etudes Allemandes (CNRS - Building 40, 23 rue du Loess, BP 20, F-67037 Strasbourg. Tel: (33-3) 88107316 - Fax: 88106482 - E-mail: christiane.weeda@urs.u-strasbg.fr). January-March 2005, No. 37/1, 134 pp, €16. Annual subscription: €56.
The articles in this issue, in either French or German, look at the role of broadcasting in Franco-German relations, showing how broadcasting was for a long time a spearhead of national power, used for propaganda and cultural imperialism purposes, but have been subject to much laborious effort to bring Germany and France closer together. This has at times given rise to strong disagreement, like during the establishment of PAL-SECAM for video, but have led to achievements like the Franco-German Arte television channel.
*** Documents - Revue des questions allemandes. BILD (50 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 43879042 - Fax: 42935094 - E-mail: potier@bild-documents.org - Internet: http://www.revuedocuments.com ). March 2005, No. 1, 128 pp, €9.15. Annual subscription: €39.
All this first issue of Documents for the year pays tribute to Joseph Rovan. Born in Munich in 1918, he took asylum in France before being sent to Dachau. Joseph Rovan was a real life link in Franco-German reconciliation. This issue looks at his life and work and includes two of his articles, one of which is the famous L'Allemagne de nos mérites". It also includes several eye-witness accounts, press cutting and obituaries.
*** Perspective économique de l'OCDE - Version préliminaire. OECD Publications (2 rue André-Pascal, F-75775 Paris cedex 16. E-mail: SourceOECD@oecd.org - Internet: http://www.oecd.org ). May 2005, No. 77, 212 pp.
This 77th edition of the OECD Economic Forecasts has been published as the European economy is experiencing economic slowdown and a sharp recovery looks unlikely before the end of the year. Several big European ecomomies are proving to have little resistance against external crises, the United States is experiencing a 'soft landing', while the Japanese economy is perking up and overall Asian growth rates are healthy. This research first focuses on the general macroeconomic situation and various specific economic policy issues, then considering the current situation and trends in each Member State and a handful of non-Member States. This preliminary version was published again in June, with the addition of basic statistics.