Month: December 2018

Dr. Smirnova’s New Book: Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth

Dr. Olga Smirnova has published a new book, titled Building a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure for Long-Term Economic Growth.

The book examines contemporary transportation issues through the lens of various modes of transportation while also focusing on the importance of sustainability, urban planning, and funding. The book covers the topics of sustainability and climate change, public management and planning, financing of transportation infrastructure, and revenue and spending issues facing modern transportation infrastructure. It is ideally designed for engineers, planners, government officials, transportation specialists, legislators, researchers, academicians, students, and industry professionals seeking current research on sustainable transport systems.

 

Forthcoming Paper in Party Politics by Dr. Magda Giurcanu

Dr. Magda Giurcanu has a forthcoming paper in Party Politics with Petia Kostadinova (University of Illinois at Chicago). The paper is titled: “Europarties’ election pledges and European Commission legislative priorities: An assessment of their overlap”.

Abstract: Utilizing a newly compiled dataset, this article demonstrates that some election pledges made by the transnational Europarties are included among the European Commission legislative priorities issued during the pre-legislative stage. The dataset consists of 597 promises made by four transnational Europarties during the 2004 and 2009 European Parliament elections, and of 698 subsequent Commission intentions. Focusing on the time periods during the Barroso Presidencies, the article’s findings suggest that 1) Decision-making rules in the European Parliament help us understand which transnational pledges are included in Commission priorities; and 2) Promises by two Europarties: the EPP and ELDR, are more likely to be considered by the Commission than those of other parties. Our results speak to scholarly debates on the place of the Europarties in the EU inter-institutional relations and more broadly on the democratic legitimacy of the Union.

Party Politics is a peer-reviewed major, international journal that provides a forum for the analysis of political parties, including their historical development, structure, policy programmes, ideology, electoral and campaign strategies, and their role within the various national and international political systems. The 5-year Impact Factor of Party Politics is 2.41.

Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, Summer 2019!

The Political Science Department is again offering its 6/7-week Study Abroad Program to Prague, Czech Republic, led by Dr. Giurcanu, “Prague in Context: Politics in East Central Europe” (June 20-August 3, 2019).
Why choose this program?
  • Spend six weeks in a marvelous city — “Magic Prague” has something for everyone!
  • Gain 6 credits that fulfill degree requirements in Political Science majors and minors, Security Studies program, and Russian Studies minor
  • 3 ECU Political Science credits and 3 transfer credits from the Anglo-American University, our host institution– AAU offers a wide range of courses in the social sciences and humanities
  • Excursions to Radio Free Europe, the Museum of Communism, Yalta Bunker, Czech Parliament, the US Embassy, Terezin, Cesky Krumlov, and Konopiste
  • Enjoy affordable prices and student discounts in the heart of Europe!
Financial aid can be applied towards the cost of this program. ECU scholarships available @ piratesabroad.ecu.edu
Application deadline: January 31st
Program cost: $4,250.
Some reflection notes on the 2018 Prague program can be found at the following link:
See the attached flyer, and if interested in more details, feel free to contact Dr. Giurcanu (giurcanum16@ecu.edu).