Wilson Center Experts
Sharon Fisher
Title VIII Supported Short-Term Scholar
European Studies
Expertise:
Europe
Affiliation:
Senior Economist, Global Insight
Wilson Center Project(s):
Promoting Democracy and Building Civil Society: U.S. Involvement in Slovakia and Croatia
Term:
Nov 01, 2004
Nov 01, 2004
Related Content for this Expert
The Working Group on the Western Balkans: Confronting Illegitimacy
June 27, 2011 // 10:00am — 3:00pm
The EU and the US agree that the long-term goal for the Western Balkans is European integration. For a variety of reasons, however, progress on this goal has stalled. This series aims at launching a discussion on the hurdles to enlargement in the Western Balkans, the tools available to various international actors in the region, and how these resources might best be applied to reach the goal of integration most efficiently. These meetings, therefore, address issues that are at the core of the making the Transatlantic relationship work. more
Responding to the Economic Crisis: Austerity, Neoliberalism, and Beyond Neoliberalism
October 06, 2011 // 1:00pm — 3:00pm
Around the world, politicians, activists, scholars, and journalists describe the world as increasingly "neoliberal." For decades, populations worldwide have protested against neoliberal structural adjustment and austerity policies advocated by the IMF and World Bank. The protests in Greece were just a recent case of this worldwide critique. The riots in Britain have also been presented as the result of neoliberal policies. What do these protestors and commentators mean by neoliberalism? Why is it so important? What has caused neoliberalism? Which neoliberal trends do we see around the world? Is neoliberalism coming to an end? This panel will discuss the emergence of neoliberalism and its current state both worldwide and specifically in the former socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. more
The Working Group on the Western Balkans: Enhancing Civil Society Participation in EU Enlargement
Jul 07, 2011This is the publication of the second meeting of the Working Group on the Western Balkans which took place on October 19, 2010. more
300. The Slovak Presidential Elections: The Final Defeat of Meciarism?
Jul 07, 2011June 2004 - Despite Slovakia's remarkable progress in political and economic reforms since 1998, considerable alarm was raised last April when, just weeks before the country's accession to the European Union (EU), it appeared that the very man who was blamed for Slovakia's international isolation in the mid-1990s could win the presidency. While serving as prime minister, Vladimir Meciar's controversial political and economic policies prevented Slovakia from joining the first wave of countries to accede to NATO and from starting accession negotiations with the EU. Meciar ultimately failed in the second round of the presidential elections, but the high level of popular support he continues to enjoy remains a subject of concern. Still, as those elections demonstrated, the prospect of Meciar's return to high politics appears unlikely, given the polarizing effect he has on the Slovak population and the reluctance of other politicians to cooperate with him. In addition, signs of "Meciarism," characterized by the use of populism, nationalism and clientelism as ways of winning and maintaining political support, appear to be diminishing on the political scene. The future of Meciar and Meciarism clearly depends not so much on Meciar himself but on his competitors and their ability to move society forward. more
264. Slovak Voters Move Closer to West
Jul 07, 2011October 2002- In parliamentary elections held on September 20-21, 2002, Slovak voters showed a clear preference for pro-Western and reform-oriented parties, while turning away from populists aimed at protecting "national" interests and potentially returning the country to international isolation. The elections produced the most homogenous government in Slovakia's short history, and the country's future – at least for the next four years – now appears rather predictable, even boring. Following an awkward introduction to the world, the elections signify that Slovakia may finally be growing up. more
Federal Conference: Innovative Strategies for European Integration of the Western Balkans
May 06, 2009 // 9:00am — 5:00pm
EU accession holds the best hope for overcoming stagnation on democracy-building, market reform and state consolidation in the Western Balkans. However, the traditional enlargement process is not well suited to the region and requires a coordinated strategy between the EU, the United States and other international actors if it is to succeed in the near future. This meeting will aim to discuss the EU enlargement process, the role of the US and other international actors to support this process, the unique obstacles to the success of the process in the Western Balkans and innovations that might be introduced for a new, coordinated policy toward the region. more
Central and Eastern Europe and the Global Financial Crisis: Heightened Risks and Rising Vulnerabilities
March 18, 2009 // 12:00pm — 1:00pm
To varying degrees, the global economic crisis has not only stalled the dramatic economic growth of postcommunist East Europe, but has also pushed some countries into recession. Sharon Fisher presented an in-depth analysis of the economies of Central and Eastern Europe and assessed their ability to recover from the recession. more
The Working Group on the Western Balkans: Confronting Illegitimacy
June 27, 2011 // 10:00am — 3:00pm
The EU and the US agree that the long-term goal for the Western Balkans is European integration. For a variety of reasons, however, progress on this goal has stalled. This series aims at launching a discussion on the hurdles to enlargement in the Western Balkans, the tools available to various international actors in the region, and how these resources might best be applied to reach the goal of integration most efficiently. These meetings, therefore, address issues that are at the core of the making the Transatlantic relationship work.
Responding to the Economic Crisis: Austerity, Neoliberalism, and Beyond Neoliberalism
October 06, 2011 // 1:00pm — 3:00pm
Around the world, politicians, activists, scholars, and journalists describe the world as increasingly "neoliberal." For decades, populations worldwide have protested against neoliberal structural adjustment and austerity policies advocated by the IMF and World Bank. The protests in Greece were just a recent case of this worldwide critique. The riots in Britain have also been presented as the result of neoliberal policies. What do these protestors and commentators mean by neoliberalism? Why is it so important? What has caused neoliberalism? Which neoliberal trends do we see around the world? Is neoliberalism coming to an end? This panel will discuss the emergence of neoliberalism and its current state both worldwide and specifically in the former socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Webcast
Federal Conference: Innovative Strategies for European Integration of the Western Balkans
May 06, 2009 // 9:00am — 5:00pm
EU accession holds the best hope for overcoming stagnation on democracy-building, market reform and state consolidation in the Western Balkans. However, the traditional enlargement process is not well suited to the region and requires a coordinated strategy between the EU, the United States and other international actors if it is to succeed in the near future. This meeting will aim to discuss the EU enlargement process, the role of the US and other international actors to support this process, the unique obstacles to the success of the process in the Western Balkans and innovations that might be introduced for a new, coordinated policy toward the region.
Central and Eastern Europe and the Global Financial Crisis: Heightened Risks and Rising Vulnerabilities
March 18, 2009 // 12:00pm — 1:00pm
To varying degrees, the global economic crisis has not only stalled the dramatic economic growth of postcommunist East Europe, but has also pushed some countries into recession. Sharon Fisher presented an in-depth analysis of the economies of Central and Eastern Europe and assessed their ability to recover from the recession.
The Working Group on the Western Balkans: Enhancing Civil Society Participation in EU Enlargement
Jul 07, 2011This is the publication of the second meeting of the Working Group on the Western Balkans which took place on October 19, 2010.
300. The Slovak Presidential Elections: The Final Defeat of Meciarism?
Jul 07, 2011June 2004 - Despite Slovakia's remarkable progress in political and economic reforms since 1998, considerable alarm was raised last April when, just weeks before the country's accession to the European Union (EU), it appeared that the very man who was blamed for Slovakia's international isolation in the mid-1990s could win the presidency. While serving as prime minister, Vladimir Meciar's controversial political and economic policies prevented Slovakia from joining the first wave of countries to accede to NATO and from starting accession negotiations with the EU. Meciar ultimately failed in the second round of the presidential elections, but the high level of popular support he continues to enjoy remains a subject of concern. Still, as those elections demonstrated, the prospect of Meciar's return to high politics appears unlikely, given the polarizing effect he has on the Slovak population and the reluctance of other politicians to cooperate with him. In addition, signs of "Meciarism," characterized by the use of populism, nationalism and clientelism as ways of winning and maintaining political support, appear to be diminishing on the political scene. The future of Meciar and Meciarism clearly depends not so much on Meciar himself but on his competitors and their ability to move society forward.
264. Slovak Voters Move Closer to West
Jul 07, 2011October 2002- In parliamentary elections held on September 20-21, 2002, Slovak voters showed a clear preference for pro-Western and reform-oriented parties, while turning away from populists aimed at protecting "national" interests and potentially returning the country to international isolation. The elections produced the most homogenous government in Slovakia's short history, and the country's future – at least for the next four years – now appears rather predictable, even boring. Following an awkward introduction to the world, the elections signify that Slovakia may finally be growing up.