editorial partner Liberte! Friedrich Naumann Foundation

Articles

Juneteenth’s Unfinished Promise: The Realities Beyond the Celebration
Society
Juneteenth’s Unfinished Promise: The Realities Beyond the Celebration
History tells us that enslaved people legally became free on January 1, 1863, with President Abraham Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation. In reality, true freedom came years later for countless enslaved African Americans. Despite the law, Confederate states remained defiant, continuing their brutal practice until Union troops could enforce the law in the Deep South.
Unlocking Human Capital in Ukraine: Reality Check
Economy
Unlocking Human Capital in Ukraine: Reality Check
On July 3, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine presented its 2030 Employment Strategy aimed at supporting economic development by reducing unemployment, ensuring equal access to quality jobs, supporting SMEs, and increasing market flexibility. The Strategy is intended, among other things, to facilitate the creation of new jobs and reform the employment service system. It appears that the government’s primary focus will be on reactivating the economically inactive population, which exceeds 12 million people, and achieving a target of 20 million employed citizens.
World Without Money: Utopia or Dystopia?
Economy
World Without Money: Utopia or Dystopia?
Imagine a world without money. No more wars, because resources belong to all of humanity. The government ensures equal and just distribution of goods. Competition, egoism, banks, and capitalist greed vanish. People work not for pay, but to serve one another. No more stress, debt, or struggle to make ends meet.
Compulsory Kindergarten from Age of Three Is Wrong Public Policy
Society
Compulsory Kindergarten from Age of Three Is Wrong Public Policy
The Minister of Education has announced his intention to introduce compulsory pre-school education for children aged three in Slovakia. The Ministry has published only one press release to defend this blanket and mandatory measure. It contains a number of inaccurate claims that do not stand up to critical debate. In this text, I will describe three reasons why the proposed expansion of compulsory school attendance is the wrong public policy.
How Can We Make People Understand That Healthcare Is Not Free?
Economy
How Can We Make People Understand That Healthcare Is Not Free?
The answer is Solomonic – we should be asking a different question. Most people have a correct, rough idea that healthcare is not free and that someone, somewhere, somehow pays for it. Some people are even aware of health insurance contributions, and the most knowledgeable among them even know how much these contributions are in relation to their salary.
Elastic EU Funds
Economy
Elastic EU Funds
Slovakia’s response to the tariff threat? The Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy have begun saying they want to redirect EU funds to help companies affected by US tariffs. We do not yet know exactly what this crisis will look like—but we already know the solution: European money. Journalists are asking us whether this is a good or a bad decision. You might be surprised, but I do not have an answer.
Insights on the Iranian Regime and Society with Walter Posch [PODCAST]
Politics, Think Tank News
Insights on the Iranian Regime and Society with Walter Posch [PODCAST]
What are the main Iranian actors and their options in the conflict with Israel? Are negotiations possible? What is the legitimacy of the regime and the potential for change from within the Iranian society? And can Eastern Europe serve as an inspiration for the Iranian reformists? Leszek Jazdzewski talks with Dr. Walter Posch, a trained orientalist who works as a Middle East expert at the Institute for Peacekeeping and Conflict Management at the National Defense Academy in Vienna.
Judicial Withdrawals in Bulgaria – Data with Consequences
Politics
Judicial Withdrawals in Bulgaria – Data with Consequences
According to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case of Bosev v. Bulgaria the inclusion of rules for judicial recusal and withdrawals in national legislation reflects the legislator’s care “to eliminate any legitimate doubt as to the impartiality of a judge or court and represents an attempt to ensure impartiality by removing the causes of concern in this area”.