The purpose of this paper is to determine, which of the independent scientific disciplines dealing with issues related to the European Union offers the research approach most apt for constructing theories of European integration and whether the basic theoretical paradigms of this discipline are sufficient to construct them. In order to achieve this, the following four perspectives of scientific disciplines have been analysed: political sciences, law, economics and sociology. The results of these considerations indicate that political sciences has the greatest influence on shaping the theories of European integration. Next, in order to the decide, whether the basic theoretical paradigms of political sciences are sufficient to construct theories of European integration, such theories as federalism, functionalism and intergovernmental approach have been analysed. To conclude, it can be said that in the case of federalism and intergovernmental approach – they are, and in the case of functionalism they are not.
The purpose of the publication is to study the state and peculiarities of teaching European studies for students of technical specialties in higher educational institutions of Ukraine, mainly on the example of Lviv Polytechnic National University (hereinafter LPNU), where the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Chair project “European Studies for Technical Specialties” (hereinafter EUSTS) has been implemented since September 2022. The hypothesis of the presented research is the statement that with the strengthening of the European integration course of Ukraine the demand for knowledge about the European Union and the European integration of Ukraine among students of technical specialties is increasing, and university education is ready to satisfy such a request, applying the latest methods and approaches in the organization of education. The main focus is on clarifying the peculiarities of the formation of European studies in Ukraine; including not only classical, but also technical universities in this process; search for effective mechanisms for implementing knowledge about the EU into the educational process of students of technical specialties. To achieve the specified goals, a number of research methods were used, such as: historical-comparative, periodization, analysis of empirical data, systemic and structural-functional. It has been found that the development of European studies in Ukraine has gone through several stages of its formation. The first lasted from the moment Ukraine regained its state independence in 1991 and was characterized by the presence of limited opportunities in universities to introduce European studies in the conditions of a centralized higher education system. The second stage was marked by the adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” (2014), which, in fact, provided sufficient tools for the development of European studies in Ukrainian universities. Similarly, at that time, the study of the European Union and European integration was formed at Lviv Polytechnic National University, including for students of technical specialties. On the basis of statistical data, it has been concluded that among the students of the National Academy of Sciences, there is a growing interest in the study of academic disciplines related to the EU and the European integration course of Ukraine. To a large extent, this is explained by the current political status of Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership and the strengthening of Ukrainian society’s support for the process of European integration as a result of Russian aggression. Accordingly, a number of educational disciplines have been introduced for students of technical specialties at the level of LPNU in recent years, which form knowledge about the EU and European integration, but only thanks to the implementation of international projects here, mainly the Erasmus+ Jean Monnet programs. This creates prerequisites for the fact that, in the future, separate educational programs in European studies can be developed at the university, which are most expedient to implement at the second (master’s) and third (PhD) educational levels. It is important that they focus on those policies of the EU and European integration directions of Ukraine that are of particular interest to students of technical specialties, for example, EU digital policy, EU energy policy, EU policy in the field of climate, environmental protection, etc. The acquired competences will not only allow the graduates of LPNU to implement European standards and values in their professional activities, but also to more effectively use the EU toolkit in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Also, taking into account the recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Ukraine and the political situation of the state, it is worth introducing a mandatory educational discipline for all students of technical specialties of Ukrainian universities on the topic of the European Union, its principles, foundations and values, as well as the features of Ukraine’s European integration progress in various areas.
The process of decision-making, lobbying and negotiating formal and legal documents is a complex but also very interesting issue. Referring to the findings of the studies in the field of shaping public policy, in particular the process of making political decisions on the example of European Rail Infrastructure Managers, one of the leading interest group organisations, the thesis put forward in the research process: “The decision-making process in the European Union is a difficult art of seeking compromise and understanding for stakeholders” appears to be justified.
Russian intervention in Donbas and annexation of Crimea have triggered a fundamental revision of the EU policy towards Easter neighbourhood and Russia. The main goal of this paper is to develop discussion about the EU strategy towards Russia by presenting political concept named “The Giedroyc doctrine”, created by Polish intellectuals on exile, when Poland was under Soviet domination. Although created a few decades ago, some elements of this doctrine are still surprisingly relevant today and may contribute to contemporary European debate. In particular, we argue that strengthening the prosperity, stability and security in Eastern Europe is possible only when Russia transforms itself into a prosperous and democratic state. Autocratic and neo-imperial Russia undermines any major pro-Western political changes in the region. Therefore, successful transformation of Russia into stable, prosperous and democratic state should be included into the long-term vision of European politicians who intend to keep Europe secure. All political activities in the Eastern neighbourhood should be subordinated to this. It means that economic support for Ukraine and strengthening cooperation with this country should not be a goal itself. Westernization of Ukraine ought to be perceived only as a beginning of political transformation of the whole region.
Rosyjska interwencja w Donbasie i zabór Krymu spowodowały zasadniczą zmianę polityki Unii Europejskiej wobec jej wschodnich sąsiadów, i w tym samej Rosji. Głównym celem niniejszego artykułu jest wykazanie aktualności “Doktryny Giedroycia” w kontekście dyskusji nad nową strategią Unii Europejskiej (UE) wobec Federacji Rosyjskiej (FR). Zdaniem autorów, działania na rzecz wzrostu poziomu zamożności, stabilności i bezpieczeństwa w Europie Wschodniej tylko wtedy będą miały charakter trwały, kiedy w samej Rosji nastąpią przemiany demokratyczne. Autokratyczna i neo-imperialna Rosja będzie przeciwdziałać wszelkim pro-zachodnim zmianom w regionie. W tym kontekście, udana transformacja FR w kraj stabilny, zamożny i demokratyczny powinna być postrzegana jako długoterminowy cel Unii Europejskiej służący bezpieczeństwu kontynentu. Wskazane jest, aby ta wizja przyświecała wszystkim politycznym aktywnościom UE na obszarze wschodniego sąsiedztwa. Oznacza to, że pomoc gospodarcza dla Ukrainy i rozwój współpracy z tym państwem nie powinny być celem samym w sobie. Okcydentalizację Ukrainy należy bowiem postrzegać jako jedynie początek politycznej transformacji całego regionu.
EN
Russian intervention in Donbas and annexation of Crimea have triggered a fundamental revision of the EU policy towards Easter neighbourhood and Russia. The main goal of this paper is to develop discussion about the EU strategy towards Russia by presenting political concept named “The Giedroyc doctrine”, created by Polish intellectuals on exile, when Poland was under Soviet domination. Although created a few decades ago, some elements of this doctrine are still surprisingly relevant today and may contribute to contemporary European debate. In particular we argue that strengthening the prosperity, stability and security in Eastern Europe is possible only when Russia transforms itself into a prosperous and democratic state. Autocratic and neo-imperial Russia undermines any major pro-Western political changes in the region. Therefore, successful transformation of Russia into stable, prosperous and democratic state should be included into the long term vision of European politicians who intend to keep Europe secure. All political activities in the Eastern neighbourhood should be subordinated to this. It means that economic support for Ukraine and strengthening cooperation with this country should not be a goal itself. Westernization of Ukraine ought to be perceived only as a beginning of political transformation of the whole region.
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