Abstract ▼

The paper begins with an analysis of the causes of strong rebalancing of the world economy at the end of the first decade of the 21st century, which leads to weakening of the relative economic importance of developed countries. Then, the authors analyze whether we are in the process of creating a new multilateral geopolitical stage and how much has become important the role of some groups of countries (BRIC and G20). The authors analyze the changes in the global financial architecture defined after World War II under the predominant US influence. In the next two sections the authors first discus how the global crisis will affect the geopolitical constellation and second, they present some estimates that the U.S. dominance, with some dispersion of its global power, could be retained. The authors have concluded that not any of constant geopolitical elements in the leading world countries has substantially changed since 2007, although the economic supremacy of developed economies has significantly decreased in comparison with developing countries and China, in particular. The U.S. leadership is not just a result of its economic and military superiority, but it also results from the relative attractiveness of its ideas and values. So, it is hard to believe that a strong geopolitical reconfiguration could be caused by the global economic crisis, especially in the medium term.

Abstract ▼

According to knowledge and network-based theories of multinational companies (MNCs), the main source of MNC competitive advantage is the creation and transfer of knowledge within the MNC system. The processes of knowledge creation and knowledge transfer are extensively investigated in the present literature. However, there are issues that are still underdeveloped, such as control and organizational mechanisms as a micro foundation of modern MNC theories. This paper is aimed at presenting an overview of the modern theoretical approaches of MNC competitive advantages from the managerial point of view. The applicability of these concepts is further considered in the case of MNC affiliates doing their business in transition economies in order to provide guidelines for future empirical research.

Abstract ▼

Energy security may be defined, generally, as the availability of clean energy sources at affordable prices. If a country or region does not have its own sources of energy in the necessary extent, their energy security is in a long-term threat. To this point, countries seek to achieve diversification of energy sources and transport routes. This is one of the reasons for launching new energy projects in Europe and Asia; the other is an attempt by Russia to consolidate its dominant position on the part of the international energy market; the third factor is the oil transnational corporations. Russia is the dominant natural trading partner and Europe’s energy supplier. Problems with the transit of natural gas and oil from Russia to Europe, which directly threaten its energy security, were the reason to launh the new energy projects.

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The article deals with ecumenism and the most important examples of its “institutionalisation”. It is stated that ecumenism implies the doctrine (idea), universal inter–church movement and the proclaimed goal of achieving Christian unity. It possesses at least theological, sociological and political determinants. The World Council of Churches is a universal inter–church forum for dialogue and cooperation that lacks clear ecclesiological identity. However, it is getting the characteristics of a typical international political movement. The Conference of European Churches is a similar European organization. The Parliament of World Religions tends to found and promote “global ethics” in order to accomplish pacifistic goals in the world.

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The article deals with the political and economic situation in Hungary in the last several years. The author firstly points to the causes of decline of influence of the previous socialist government and the heavy defeat of the socialists in the 2010 elections and the success of the right party Fidesz. After winning the elections, the Viktor Orban government started, at an accelerated rate, to implement the pre-election programme of Fidesz that had been prepared for a long time while it was an opposition party. The author is of the opinion that this programme is atypical, very radical and unique by many characteristics in the Europe of today. He points out that only a year after Fidesz victory the government and the parliament adopted quite a number of laws, a new Constitution and a set of risky measures of recovery that should lead to a substantial economic reform. The author particularly underlines the fact that the government decided to break of negotiation with IMF, reject its recommendations and try to overcome over-indebtedness by carrying out its own ideas.