The Economic Standings and the European Union - Essay Example

Due Journal Assignment Entry May 22 I will be traveling to Paris, France from Houston, Texas before the classes begin next week. I will stay the week in France. On my flight I was seated next to a French genet leman who was eager to talk to me. I had always heard all those rumors about how the French are, generally, rather impatient and, sometimes, unfriendly towards Americans, but that was not the case with this nice gentleman. I asked him all sorts of questions about France. He was eager to discuss the economic standings and the European Union. It is presently one of the strongest in the union and he was proud to discuss that France’s GDP, which is just under 3 trillion USD is rather impressive. After all, with America’s recent economic crisis I think it is important to listen to what other people think in other countries whose economies are improving. I, also, asked him about the exchange rate for monies. I will spend a week in France it might be important to understand better the value of currency. Apparently 1 American dollar is equal to 1 Euro, however, its value in relation to the dollar is about 0.75. Otherwise our in-flight discussion was about every day things, museums, sight-seeing, and the like. I am very exciting about this opportunity and I look forward to everything I may learn and experience along the way. During the duration of this week prior to the classes starting I hope to spend time sigh-seeing, of course, after all, I will be in Paris, France. I am very excited to visit the Louvre, see the Eifel Tower, and the Notre dame Cathedral; at least I hope I have time to take in as much as the place has to offer. Interesting fun fact that I learned about Paris on my trip. Paris was not the original name for the famous city. It was original called, in Latin, “Lutentia Parisiorium.” Lutentia is, essentially he word for mud and the Celtic peoples who resided there were call Parsii; therefore the original name of one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic city was “the mud city of the Parisii;” this, I thought, was rather interesting and a little amusing. I hope to, also spend some time understanding a little bit about the Czech Republic, before I arrive there. I will be spending a lot of time there and I want to be prepared and educated before I arrive there. One thing that I already took the time to investigate is that, when I told people that I was going to the Czech Republic, how many people still believe that the area is still called Czechoslovakia. The region formerly known as Czechoslovakia split into the two independent countries of Slovakia and the Czech Republic 20 years ago in 1993. Entry 2-May 27 2013 It was time to leave France, which was a wonderful experience overall, behind and head to Prague in the Czech Republic. Prague has the feel of being aged and still has architecture that still stands. In fact, it is often used as an ideal location for period, or historical, films because it still has areas that still have that “old world feel.” Unlike many other countries during WWII, Prague did not resist Hitler and he did little damage, so many of the buildings have withstood the test of time, I have had the opportunity to speak to several people on the trip over. There was one man who was very friendly and was eager to fill me in on the history of his land. It is definitely a city that has survived a great deal of war, upheaval, along with the transition between communism and capitalism. There was another, a woman, who was actually quite knowledgeable about the kinds of questions that I thought were important to ask. She explained that the population of the Czech Republic is around 10.5 million people and 1/10 of that is located in the capitol, Prague. There economy is quite diversified and is based in metal works, machine parts, automobiles, beer, foods, and electronics. They have low unemployment rates and promising balancing of inflation. They did suffer a minor recession back in the late 90s because of the fall of the Russia economy at the time, but they have more than bounced back. They share the same colors in their flag as does the United States. The general currency is Czech Crown. The Czech Republic is a part of the European Union, and has been since 2004, but they have yet to be considered part of the “eurozone” because they have yet to adopt the euro as their currency. However, my co-travelers seemed pretty adamant that they probably would in the future. It is really just a matter of time. At present there are some businesses, in order you benefit from international tourism, do accept the euro, but most do not as I discovered. We were, also, informed about the public transportation available in Prague, which is really quite well organized and efficient, more so than my experiences in the United States. In Prague, the same pass-ticket can be used for buses, trains, and metros, they, also, operate day and night, which is highly convenient. We took a guided tour through Prague’s Old Town, visiting several historical sites; again they have that aged feel like, almost like time traveling. We ate dinner at local restaurant and I enjoyed the food very much and after all of the traveling I needed it. We then returned to the hotel for the evening via the public transportation system. Entry 3-May 28 2013 This morning at breakfast I discovered that our hotel is considered the youngest of the hotels built in Prague and it still dates back to 1860. It is located adjacent to famous Wenceslas Square, which is now the location of Prague’s nightlife, but a quarter of a century ago it was the place where thousands of citizens protested and called for the overthrow of the communist Czechoslovak party. Twenty years before, in 1968, it was the location where a man was set on fire in protest of the invasion by the USSR. Later, we left, with our guide, via public transportation to and arrived at the EUROPEUM Institute, which is, essentially, an independent think tank that that encourages bringing in members of the European Union, and strongly supports the Czech Republic inclusion. They have been credited with contributing to stability, freedom, democracy and security throughout Europe. The belief for an, ultimately, united, ultimately, democratic Europe is possible. Which include articles and projects dedicated to the encouraging and implementing of policies that will benefit their case and the countries involved. They have regular events, publications, and the like, that is dedicated to how to improve the concept of the European Union and toward encouraging both Poland and the Czech Republic to convert to the euro system and become more active participant in the European Union. They are, also, looking at better policy making processes at multiple layers, both, for the European Union, but for individual countries, like the Czech Republic. They take great care to participate in creating the vision that is mentioned in their mission statement. They, also, provide educational publications in order to spread their message and agenda. The better part of the day was spent in class time discussing international politics; the basic of which involve the importance of understanding and the need for creating positive interactions between differing countries for the greater benefit for all, ideally. International economics, which focuses on the exchange and trade across the borders into different countries, some countries are completely dependent upon this process. The politics of European integration focuses n the process and the issues with integrating new and different countries in a single organized union, like the European Union. The more one learns about international politics the more one realizes that it truly requires an interdisciplinary approach, philosophy, psychology, sociology, cultural awareness, business, and historical approached are needed in order to successfully hope to interact successful with multiple cultures and varying countries, at least if one wishes to interact positively. The Czech Republic has a rich tradition and democratic government that it has had to work long and hard to achieve, their inclusion in the European Union was inevitable, however, as mentioned in a previous entry, they have yet to convert to the euro, but continue to use the Czech Crown, but that will likely change in the future. Afterwards we were are free time for a dinner Entry 4- May 30 2013 I had breakfast at the hotel before class; I did not want to sip it because today is to be a rather long day out and about. The day began with classes for several hours, continuing the discussions involving international politics and international economics. I have discovered that not only does the Czech Republic have good relations with the rest of Europe, hence its inclusion in the European Union, but, also, with the United States. The United States relies, presently, on the Czech Republic to interact with issues in Afghanistan. We then traveled with our guide to the field trip of the day. Once again, on the way I was once again captivated by the environment of the city itself. I think I now understand the reason why tourists look so wide-eyed and take so many pictures when they visit the United States; now I am the wide-eyed tourist. We visited the SKODA museum. Before attending I had already taken the time to look up a few things about it. The property, once called SKODA Works, was originally established as arms manufacturers in the late 1850s. The Skoda Auto It was founded in 1895 and began manufacturing bicycles, motorcycles, and many classic automobiles and remains today one of the five companies to have an unbroken history. Until WWII they were on the cutting edge and a quite prolific company. When we visited the Museum and plant we attended a guided tour that took us all over and informed us of more of the history of the location. We visited the historical vehicles that have been, in some cases, restored as examples of the SKODA factory original works. Museum is, also, a working factory, owned by Volkswagen. It is remarked as being one of the most high-tech, clean, and efficient automobile factories in the world. Many investments have been made in support of the company. As it stands, automobile production is the highest import product in the Czech Republic. I was very curious about the workers. I asked a gentleman and he explained to me that the average worker earns, approximately, 1000 euro per month. If I am understanding the exchange rate correctly then each worker earns less than 1000 American dollars per month, however they do offer some perks with employment, including a scholarship program for employee. SKODA is one of the few automobile factories anywhere that actually allow physical tours into their plants. It was a unique experience I enjoyed very much because it is a rare opportunity. After the museum we were released for free time, where I got something to eat and enjoyed a brief walk, and then I returned to the hotel where I hoped and was pleased to have good nights sleep. I look forward to the next day. Entry 5- June 6 2013 After several days consumed with only classes and personal free time, where I spent my time discovering new interesting details about the city, tasting all sorts of traditional cuisine, and taking photographs to remember my time here. Today is the first day in several that we have had a formal field trip. We visited the “Radio-Free Europe, the Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), which is a radio station, established after the Second World War, which has been broadcasting for decades, even to countries where free press and free speech are not as common as they are in other countries, like our own. Their goals include getting the ideology of democracy out into the world, to encourage peoples struggling with their civil liberties, helps combat racial and ethnic intolerances, and hope to provide a role model for other media institutions to of the same and encourage more peoples all over the world. Their mission statement relies on five objectives. The first, providing objective views, analysis, and of crucial domestic and international or regional issues. Secondly, create stronger bonds between countries that share democratic philosophies. The next, attempts to do away with social, religious or ethnic intolerances, as well as, promote understanding through media. The fourth objective is to help countries develop their own objective ad bring greater professionalism into their forms of journalism and media. Lastly, when possible, introduce the ideologies of democracies to countries where it does not exist. They broadcast in 21 different countries and air in multiple languages. It was credited, by Russian, has having had a hand in helping to end the Cold War. In the late 80s when many new democracies were developing, RFE/RL established itself in such locations as a means of fair, honest, journalistic reporting. They were even considered for a nomination, as an entity, for a Noble Peace Prize in 1991. We, as a group, discussed the issues that countries, like the Ukraine and Moldova, which are caught, literally, in between the east and the west. Located in between all of Europe and Russia on either side it can be difficult to determine where your cultural identities and political and economic loyalties should and do lie. We also had an arranged visit to the Bishop’s Palace. It was built in 1420 as a response to the burning of the Bishop’s House in town, so the ruler commissioned a much more lavish location be constructed. The great structure, sitting to the right of Prague castle, was originally built in the Renaissance era, rebuilt in the Baroque style, however the facades and interiors that one sees today are the result of Rocco architecture completed in the 1700s. It is presently the seat of the Catholic Church in the Czech Republic and has remained so since the 1500s. Entry 6- June 7, 2013 This is to be the final day in the Czech Republic. With my free time I did a bit sight-seeing but, I also, asked myself questions that I thought would be good to know n the future. One such question concerns why Turkey attempted to join the European Union but were unable to. Turkey has a strong military and blossoming economy, with inclusion in the European Union, hopefully to be finalized by 2021, to receive the kind of aid that a developing country would warrant, as have Greece and Spain. The issues with Turkey joining the European Union are primarily social concerns, not economical. Turkey is considered by the other countries in the union to be non-Christian, but Muslim society, which makes certain members uncomfortable, they, also, do not have established democracy, but a highly controlled society, and treat women poorly, for either cultural or religious reasons, at least in the eyes of many of the European Union. Several other countries have shared some concerns about the inclusion of Turkey. This speaks directly, some opponents will say, to a decline in what the European Union was intended to accomplish. It would be unwise to trade those intentions for a new country’s economic, political, or social influences with other nations. They have basically said that Turkey has a lot of changes to make before they would be openly welcomed into the union. It is unlikely that the entire country if turkey us going to change its religion and culture in order to be a member and, therefore, it will be necessary to alter the rules to admit them. However, there are, also, people, I think, that are allowing negative stereotypes that have perpetuated throughout the world could be partially responsible for some of the disdain about allowing turkey admittance to the European Union. he are many people, sadly many more after 9/11 in the United States, a disdain for all things Muslim has been seen. This fear that all Muslims want to take over or destroy the rest of the non-Muslim world makes them uncomfortable with the idea of including a Muslim society into the European Union. However, there are others that feel that Turkey would be a strong ally in the future one that may be needed. They have an educated population and have positive reputations among the Middle Eastern countries, as well, they have contributed soldiers to the fight in Afghanistan. It is likely they will join in the future, but when is still a question for a great debate. No one can seem to determine if their value as an ally can outweigh the fact that they do not meet the democratic standards that would normally be expected of a member of the European Union. Entry 7- June 8 2013 Today began with the last breakfast at the hotel in Prague. I have already decided that I would like visit Prague again one day, hopefully sooner than later. We leave the hotel and will have some free time in the Bratislava, Slovakia. Here we have some free time so I decided to do a little research and investigation into the history of our latest destination. Like the Czech Republic, Slovakia became its own nation in 1993 and joined the European Union in 2004. The most recent census conducted in the area was several years ago. As of today there are, approximately, 5 million people populating the area. They have mixed ethnic population, where women outnumber the men by just more than half and the average citizen’s age is late 30s. In fact, the most distinct difference between the countries, as far as the European Union is concerned, Slovakia has adopted the euro, unlike the Czech Republic. It is a major industrial center that us known for building VW cars, along with, the manufacturing of furniture, chemicals, tobacco products, musical instruments, woolen goods, and leather products. And, as a very friendly man who I spoke to at breakfast, explained the GDP in Slovakia is, approximately, 167 percent, which is rather impressive compared to the economic issues that are occurring in other societies all around the world. We are traveling to the capitol city Bratislava, which is the largest city, which is broken into different boroughs, or quarters that are titled by numbers 1 through five. However, we will not be here long. Essentially just passing through, so I took the opportunity to do a little sight-seeing. The sight of the architecture as one looks down upon it really is like being taken out of time. I was able to see several churches and it is the architecture that can make even the most mundane of businesses seems so regal and intriguing. Finally I took a quick stroll through the main square before having to head off and not be late to meet the bus that would take me to Hungary. Before the end of today we will be leaving and continuing our journey to Budapest, the capitol of Hungary. It is very interesting, I have to note, that being able to travel the borders of countries as easily as we travel from state to state in the United States is fascinating. On the bus ride there I was able to speak to the other students and we traded stories and had discussion, both, about what we had learned and how much we have enjoyed ourselves and cannot wait to come back again someday. I began doing a bit of research on our next destination and my travel companions were able to fill in a few of those blanks, as well. Entry 8- June 9 2013 Breakfast in the morning at the new hotel and then a day of orientation and a planned guided tour of Budapest, which is of course, the capitol of Hungary. Budapest has an interesting history including the origin of its name. Initially the city was called, simply, Pest. Then after it was destroyed by Mongols in the mid 12th century it was rebuilt by the current King. He did so by encouraging the German settlers, who then founded the city of Buda. The two were divided by only the Danube River. It would, in fact, not be until 1872 that the cities would officially be united and become Budapest. Despite multiple takeovers by communist regimes the country still managed to survive and is now remarked as one of the most successful cultural and economic center that draws in tourism from all over the world. Hungary has been a member of European Union since 2004, but like the Czech Republic, and unlike Slovakia, they have yet to adopt the euro as their standard currency. Hungary has a population of about 10 million, and like in Slovakia, the capitol maintains 1/10 of that population. They have one of the largest economies in the European Union. Tourism contributes to the overall economy of Hungary. In fact, it is its beautiful and historic attractions, a great night-life offering, and huge catering industry are big participants to Hungary’s standing. Budapest has low unemployment so, which means that its citizens are faring well overall, even with a large population of immigrants to the country, who are, also, employed. The public transportation in Budapest, much as in the Czech Republic, is completely integrated, meaning that the tickets purchased are usable at the metro, trains, buses, and, even, trolley cars. Again, the public transportation system is highly efficient and reliable; a little different than what one is accustomed to in the United States, at least the public transportation that I have been exposed to. The royal palace in the Buda Castle District was stunning. It has been standing since 13 century. I have to be honest and say that there is something about medieval churches that are just, somehow, really rather spooky than inviting. The Fisherman’s Bastion is designed in the neo-Gothic styles and wraps around the structure of Matthias Church and earned the name from the fisherman charged with defending this part of the city’s walls from attack in the middle ages. Matthias church was, originally called Church of Our Lady, but is now titled after the name of King Matthias who had renovations performed to one of the towers. Originally built in the early 1000s, and then renovated multiple times, particularly in the 20h century. It has these amazing pointed spires that shoot straight into the heavens, it was quite a sight to see. Read More