Queries - Our online scientific magazine

It is commonly repeated that the post-War order belongs to the past, as it no longer mirrors reality and its institutional set-up has proven incapable of responding to the challenges of modern times. Beyond any doubt, the so-called “BRICS” countries will play a crucial role in writing the next chapter of global governance – which is why FEPS turns its attention to one of them: India. Resulting from a study visit that took place in Spring 2011, thisissue features articles by Indian high-level authors, who kindly share their views on 4 themes: “Asian Spring: Promoting Diversity and Democracy”, “India in Shaping its future”, “A world player in the making”, “China: Reshaping the Status Quo”. Those building blocks enable the reader to discover a new perspective on a number of issues.

To begin with, the deliberations focus on the “Arab Spring”. The recent developments in the regions of Northern Africa and Middle East are analyzed from two angles: one focuses on the future of democracy; the other is devoted to the question of Islam and a potential for an “alternative, non-violent transformation” in the countries, in which it constitutes a dominant religion. Touching upon the challenges of prosperity, stability and social diversity – the authors propose a new way of evaluating this contemporary “4th wave of democratization”.

Secondly, the issue offers a unique, inside perspective on India itself, its potential and its ambitions. In this context, a reader can discover the impact of the global economy on different regions of so-called “emerging states”; can learn about difficulties in creating communities and working towards a solidarity-based society in the circumstances of post-colonial inheritance, as well as finding out about the complexity of the regional relations. The approach manifested by authors is by all means an innovative one, as it focuses on showing new grounds on which on the local, state and regional levels of different agreements are indispensible.

Thirdly, the relations between India and other global players are discussed. Challenges of multilateralism, peace, security, climate change – all those issues form a context for reflections on ties between: India and the EU, as well as Russia and the US. It enables us to sketch a portrait of contemporary India as an actor seeking its new place in a multilateral system.

Fourthly, in order to complete the picture, attention is given to China and its policies – both as far as their regional and international dimensions are concerned. There are questions posed on both Chinese expansionist policies in Asia and in Africa, as well as those concerning the sustainability of its model. In this context, issues of security, defense and new sorts of dangers are also examined.

The contributions to this edition have been submitted by a number of outstanding personalities, from among Indian researchers, politicians and journalists. Assembling this exceptional collection was possible thanks to the efforts of Dr. Klaus VOLL, FEPS Special Consultant on Asia, who together with Dr. Ernst STETTER, FEPS Secretary General heralds this issue with its “Foreword”.

Dr. Ania SKRZYPEK
Managing Editor of “Queries”

A decade into the new century, Europe is beset by a striking mood of social pessimism. 49% of EU citizens believe they will be worse off in 20 years time, with majorities perceiving the rise of emerging economies as direct threats to their living standards. Such anxiety presents a particularly dehabilitating political problem for social democracy. Historically, the promise of social progress has been a powerful force in all of its projects, and a cornerstone to the movement’s political offer. Overwhelming disbelief in the primacy of political ideas and the ability of politicians to make a difference has translated into voter resignation and subsequently to widespread withdrawal from political life.

Contents:
The contributions to this issue of Queries are the results of a symposium that took place in London in March this year as a joint contribution to the FEPS Next Left research programme and Policy Network – Wiardi Beckman Stichting Amsterdam Process. The political circumstances and academic inspiration that dictated the theme and framed the debate are reflected upon in the foreword of Ernst STETTER and in the introductory texts by Alfred GUSENBAUER, Olaf CRAMME and René CUPERUS, and Patrick DIAMOND. Outlining an agenda based on three-pillars, this issue aspires to contribute to a debate on both the future of Europe and the renewal of social democracy.

The disastrous consequences of the recent financial, economic and social crisis exposed the bankruptcy of today’s’ world order, dictated by a neo-liberal ideology. Its obvious inability to respond to global challenges makes it inadequate for the 21st century. Realizing this, one needs to call for a new, feasible agenda. For progressives this call is both a challenge and a chance to present our NEXT Global Deal.

Contents:
The NEXT Global Deal opens with forewords by Ernst STETTER and Joseph STIGLITZ. The articles have been written by outstanding politicians, stakeholders and academics who all met to discuss these issues in-depth at the FEPS-IPD Conference (Washington D.C., October 2010). The echoes of this memorable debate can be found in the closing chapter of this edition.

Queries serving as a guideline in selecting themes and articles that pose the most crucial questions and can stimulate an intellectual debate, it comes with no surprise that this issue commemorates late Tony Judt and his work. As Ernst STETTER, FEPS Secretary General writes, the last book of Tony Judt, Ill Fares the Land, poses an extraordinary challenge. This very particular intellectual testament of an outstanding academic and universalist socialist encompasses a fair, though bitter, assessment of today’s world.

Contents:
The last book of Tony Judt, Ill Fares the Land touches upon the mission that a renewed social democracy must embark upon in order to reverse the negative processes corroding our societies, through respecting all the achievements of past generations and being optimistic about the chances for the progressives to succeed in the future. This motivated the title of this issue.

Since the beginning FEPS has been strongly involved in a debate on gender equality, which in fact was one of the very first projects that it established. This issue reviews the history of the struggle for gender equality in national member states, in Europe and elaborates on the progressive agenda for the future.

Contents:
Gender sensitive, progressive Europe | A commitment that arises from a century struggle | Stronger from the past, encouraging experiences | The next agenda for changing society.

In 2009, FEPS launched a call for papers addressing PhD and PhD candidates to elaborate on how they saw Europe in a decade, within the framework of its Next Left programme, run under the leadership of former Austrian Chancellor Alfred GUSENBAUER. The first release of Queries contains a selection of the most interesting pieces.

Contents:
Future of Social Europe | Changing European Society | Green Agenda for a Sustainable Europe | Europe of Democracy and Civic Participation | International Responsibility of Europe in a Global Age.