Paschalis Arvanitidis

Is There an International Convergence in Defence Burdens? Some Initial Findings

Abstract This paper examines whether or not there is convergence in defence burdens across the world. To this effect, σ-convergence and β-convergence methodologies are employed. The sample consists of 128 countries and covers the period 1988–2008. Initial findings reported herein point to a process of convergence in defence burdens possibly reflecting the emergence of defence policies that share similar characteristics at least in terms of the allocation of resources.

Convergence patterns in the world economy: exploring the nonlinearity hypothesis

The objective of this paper is to question the conventional convergence literature, which bases its findings on the use of linear regression models. With the use of quadratic WLS regression analysis we show that a number of indicators of economic performance follow a pattern of change that is in essence non-linear. Our results indicate the formation of two clubs at the world scale: A convergence club that includes countries with a low to mediumhigh level of development and a divergence club including countries with a medium-high to very high levels of development. After a critical threshold the forces of divergence at the world scale dominate and the most dynamic countries eventually grow faster. Undoubtedly, the formation of a diverging leaders club and a further increase in world level development gap has serious implications for theory and policy.

Developing place marketing pilot plans: the cases of Rostock and Kainuu

The purpose of this paper is to pinpoint the role of place marketing in the fields of tourism, culture, and business, through the development of place marketing pilot plans (PMPPs) for two places in northern Europe: the city of Rostock in Germany and the region of Kainuu in Finland. Specifically, the analysis is based on the combination of two basic marketing models, the Ashworth & Voogd (1990) model and the Kotler et al. (1999) model, aiming to present a methodological tool that could be effective for the successful promotion of a places image throughout its external environment. The data are provided from the INTERREG IIIc Project CultMark. The paper contributes to research in two ways: (a) by displaying an integrated methodological approach with specific phases of planning and supporting the image of a place, and (b) by amplifying current views according to which place marketing implementation is not simply an occasional procedure. The case studies used support the above arguments.

Converging Defence Burdens? Some Further Findings

Abstract Building on recently published findings that point to a process of convergence in terms of defence burdens internationally, this paper readdresses the issue for the period 1970–2015 using SIPRI’s new dataset. The new consistent data constructed by SIPRI offers the opportunity to extend the time period of the empirical investigation into the convergence issue, thus allowing for better insights over a longer time horizon that covers both the Cold and post-Cold War periods.

Explaining Knowledge-Based Economic Growth in the World Economy

Building upon authors’ previous work, the study develops econometric models in order to specify the determinants of knowledge-based economic growth at the international level. In doing so, it differs from other studies in the following ways: it makes use of a new composite indicator of growth which accounts for knowledge capacity, it runs WLS regressions, and it explores the existence of nonlinear relations between determinants and growth. The study confirms previous findings that variables such as investment and FDI are important determinants of growth but adds that geography, agglomerations and institutions play a vital role in economic performance. Furthermore, it indicates that the effect of initial economic conditions, size of government, openness to trade and institutions on growth is nonlinear: up to a critical level, these factors have a positive impact, whereas beyond that the effect diminishes and may become negative. These findings have important implications for both theory and policy.

Defining Knowledge-Driven Economic Dynamism in the World Economy: A Methodological Perspective

Although economic progress has always been knowledge-based, the scope and role of knowledge to economic processes has fundamentally changed over the last years. On these grounds scholars have argued that a new, knowledge-based economy has emerged, presenting significant opportunities for economic growth and development. This chapter builds upon the concept of the knowledge-based economy to define knowledge-driven economic dynamism and to provide a methodology for assessing it. In particular, it argues that conventional measures of economic performance are not capable of capturing the qualities of the knowledge economy and, on these grounds it introduces an appropriate measure of knowledge-driven economic dynamism, called the Economic Dynamism Indicator (EDI).

Civic Engagement of University Students: An Exploratory Analysis

An essential element of a truly democratic society is the degree of civic engagement it exhibits. The paper draws on the relevant literature to pinpoint the notion, dimensions and determinants of civic engagement and it then moves to explore the issue empirically. In particular, it examines the level and determinants of young people’s civic engagement in Greece, analysing more than 2000 questionnaires which are collected from students of the University of Thessaly. Civic engagement is assessed along three dimensions, civic, electoral and political voice, taking into account whether people actively participate in associations, offer voluntary work to non-governmental organizations, display buttons, signs or stickers, protest, sign petitions and boycott. In addition, the paper explores what drives such a behaviour. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, age, gender, family environment and income, the research finds that sociality (i.e. the intensity of social connections), altruism and political ideology affect students’ civic participation.

Water Resource Management in Larisa: A “Tragedy of the Commons?”

The commons are natural or man-made resources that due to non-excludability and subtractability face serious risks of overexploitation, mismanagement, or even destruction, the so-called “tragedy of the commons”. Groundwater is a typical example of such a resource. Drawing on the framework developed by the 2009 Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom, this research explores issues of collective management of groundwater using Larissa area, one of the most important agricultural areas of Greece, as a case study. More specifically, the paper assesses empirically the possibility of user-based management of groundwater used for irrigation purposes. This is done through a survey which explores, inter alia, the views of local stakeholders on the intensity of the water problem, the irrigation practices, and the existence of trust-based social relations between the farmers, which are seen as essential for the development of successful, long-enduring, user-based governance solutions. The research finds that farmers are rather reserved toward the possibility of groundwater self-management, which may be due to lack of trust both among them and toward the other players in the field. On these grounds, it seems that the most appropriate solution would be to create an independent coordinative body with multiple responsibilities and powers.

The Qualities and Workings of Direct Democracy: Lessons from Classical Athens

Drawing on classical Athens the paper outlines the qualities and workings of direct democracy to provide a simple model of public choice in policy-making. In particular, the paper conceptualizes Athenian democracy as an institution which is founded on two pillars: public discourse and public ideology. The former refers to the reciprocal communication between citizens enabling, inter alia, the integration of diverse knowledge and the coordination of collective action. The latter refers to a pragmatic set of social values (i.e. emerged dialectically as a result of ongoing collective experiences) enabling to reduce diversity of thought and behavior and with it many of the collective-action problems that communities encounter. On the basis of these, direct democracy as an institution is able to internalize the costs and benefits of decision-making, to actively engage citizens in the political and policy-making process, to enhance the community’s knowledge base, and to deliver cooperative and innovative solutions to matters of public concern.

Immigrant Location Patterns in a Southern European Metropolis: The Case of Athens

Over the last two decades, Greece has seen a substantial influx of economic immigrants giving rise to a number of studies examining the social, economic and spatial implications immigration has for the country. In terms of the spatial impact, the observed tendency is immigrants to move primarily into metropolitan areas, which offer employment opportunities and anonymity. However, very little is known with regard to the specific, intra-urban, locations immigrants choose for their residence and the factors that affect such decisions. The current study attempts to shed light on the above issues, analysing the spatial distribution of economic immigrants within the metropolitan area of Athens, their mobility patterns and the resultant metropolitan structure. Our findings indicate a slight preference for central areas, but, over the time, the general dispersion of such immigrants to peripheral locations. On these grounds, spatial segregation, to the formation of clear ethnic enclaves, seems less plausible.