Cambridge Scholars Publishing Culture and Paradiplomatic Identity: Instruments in Sustaining EU Policies

The beginning of the millennium has been influenced by a visible acceleration of the globalisation process. A complex and dynamic phenomenon, it has generated a series of consequences at the political, strategic and military levels, as well as the cultural level. The increase of interdependence between actors on the international stage, modern technologies, means of communication, cross-border relations, and the constant flux of goods, capital, services and people entail major changes for the tools used by states in international relations. In this context, states are obligated to identify solutions to overcome risks and threats posed to peace and security, as current regional conflicts can easily become international. In order to streamline communication and interstate cooperation, beyond the classic appeal to tolerance, there has been, in recent years, an exponential increase of the use of culture and, by extension, cultural diplomacy. Thus, cultural cooperation represents a vital part of the current process of transformation and transition. Adopting an interdisciplinary character, this volume investigates some of the aspects that emphasise the essential role of culture, as a promoter and supporter of peace and security, as an agent of regional and national development, as well as its contributions to attracting and retaining human and financial capital, regional branding, and improving quality of life, among others. The volume will particularly appeal to professors and students of political science, international relations, history, economy, law, and sociology, as well as intellectuals interested in the catalysing role of culture in all areas of activity. About the Author Alina Stoica, PhD, is Lecturer of International Relations and European Studies at the University of Oradea, Romania, and has conducted extensive research within the fields of international relations, cultural history, the history of European ideas, and regional development. She has authored two books, edited three collective volumes, and has published more than 50 articles and studies. Ioan Horga is Professor of International Relations and European Studies at the University of Oradea, Romania, and Director of the Institute for Euroregional Studies and editor-in-chief of Eurolimes Journal. His area of interest circumscribes borders and frontiers, the process of European construction and integration, and the theory of international relations. The author and editor of twenty books, he has also published over 80 articles and studies. Maria Manuela Tavares Ribeiro is Full Professor of Contemporary History at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. She is coordinator of the Research Group Europeísmo, Atlanticidade e Mundialização, and a member of the Portuguese Academy of History, the International Academy of Portuguese Culture, and the Academy of Sciences in Lisbon. Her fields of interest are the history of ideas, cultural and political history, and international relations.