International Relations and Policy

Democracy by dictionary definition means “government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives”[1]  and is accepted as the best or at least the “least bad”[2]  method of governing. Democracy was first appeared in ancient Greek city states called polis where the economic welfare provided by the forced labor of slaves created a convenient environment for elites to deal with sciences, to think and philosophize about the “just” and best way of government. There have always been discussions about the definition of democracy. Minimalist Schumpeterian[3]  definition of democracy refers to a “polity that permits the choice between elites by citizens voting in regular and competitive elections” (Karl, p. 164). Samuel Huntington also with his “two turnover” test[4], places himself in the category of this minimalist definition.

Russia has been an important side of the European security equation since tsarist times, continuing throughout Soviet era and finally after the dissolution of communism up to now. It definitely seems inadequate without considering Russian aspect when constructing a security structure in Europe. However, the question is to what extent Russia may and should participate in this structure. It is clear that there exist fears inside different geographies of Europe that base on some certain military and non-military concerns against Russia. These concerns determine the limit of Russian participation in the security architecture of Europe.

The European financial crisis is moving to a new level. The Germans have finally consented to lead a bailout effort for Greece. The effort has angered the German public, which has acceded with sullen reluctance. It does not accept the idea that it is Germans’ responsibility to save Greeks from their own actions. The Greeks are enraged at the reluctance, having understood that membership in the European Union meant that Greece’s problems were Europe’s.

The new notion has been developed in international community, which is a little bit concerning regarding the New Global Balance of Power. The “BRIC” countries have taken the world attention on itself. And it is not confusing; in fact the members of “BRIC” countries are Brazil, Russia, India and China- the countries with the fastest growing and potentially largest economies ever. Taking into consideration their economic profile the economists has called them so. And the person who used this term first time was the chief economist Jim O’Neil.