The Transformative Blog provides informative insights for a global intellectual audience. Read about social, economic,
and cultural transformations in the region with a global perspective and wide scope of interest: from current affairs to
historical analysis on Central and Eastern Europe, East Asia and the co-transformation of Western countries.
We invite contributions in history, sociology, economics, cultural and social anthropology, political science as well as
from all interdisciplinary approaches. Expected length: 1200-1400 words. If you would like to become an author,
please contact Dr. Sheng Peng at sheng.peng(at)univie.ac.at.
Financial Crises: Then and Now
Financial crises are hard to predict. Studying historical financial crises provides insight into the vulnerabilities in each economic system that help us forecast such an event. Policy-induced and institutional factors are key to predict and prevent financial crises.
Ukrainian Refugees in Europe: An Economic Burden or Opportunity?
The integration of Ukrainian refugees represents a significant challenge for European states. Yet what might be a short-term burden, could be of long-term benefit for both the refugees and the host societies.
Russischer Angriffskrieg: Von Kälte und Resilienz
Die militärischen Erfolge ändern wenig an der verzweifelten Lage der Menschen in der Ukraine. Auch Stimmungen entscheiden über den Fortgang dieses Krieges. Warum sich der Westen über einige Punkte im Klaren sein sollte.
Will the ‘Nuclear Taboo’ Survive?
The nuclear taboo, which has prevented the use of nuclear weapons since 1945, is under pressure. Amidst the crisis of non-proliferation institutions, the war in Ukraine has heightened US-Russia tensions, increasing the threat of the use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones might be the last bulwark of the non-proliferation utopia.
Freedom in Times of War and Climate Crisis
The war in Ukraine and the worsening climate crisis challenge our conceptions of freedom. The nation and the state make a comeback not as enemies, but as guarantors of freedom.
The Unseen Suffering Beyond Europe: The “Other Victims” of Russia’s Power Games
In this blog post, Nino Aivazishvili-Gehne presents experiences and their consequences regarding Russia's aggressive policy beyond European borders.
The Lives and Afterlives of the Cold War’s Deadly Weapons
Dr. Rosamund Johnson (RECET) provides a unique insight into the history of gun production and its politics in Eastern Europe, particularly Czechoslovakia, a timely topic considering weapons lifespan in the context of the current war in Ukraine.
United for Change – What Does the New Government in Prague Mean for the Region?
Mojmir Stransky sums up last-year parliamentary elections and government formation in Czech Republic. A brief insight into local politics poses broader questions about politics in Eastern Europe, role of coalitions and political future of the whole region.
Defending the Family Kremlin-Style, or Who is Afraid of the Partnership Law in Lithuania
Rasa Navickaitė explores the political usage of war in Ukraine by the Lithuanian Right. The war, treated as a threat to Lithuania‘s sovereignty, became a tool of anti-gender politics and helped to erase human rights issues from the political agenda for an unforeseeable period of time.
Reflections on the Russian aggression in Ukraine from a Finnish perspective
Eeva Luhtakallio discusses complex relations between Finland and Russia in the context of collective memory and current politics. She gives us insight into contemporary fears shared between all Russia’s neighbours: “The war in Ukraine has evoked immediate gut reactions from a distant collective memory reserve in Finland: Russia, again. And: Are we next?”
