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The latest book by Katalin Fabian, assistant professor of government and law, makes an insightful examination of the effects of globalization in Central and Eastern Europe from economic, political, and social perspectives.
The work, entitled Globalization: Perspectives from Central and Eastern Europe, was released July 24 by Elsevier Press. Elsevier is one of the world’s largest science publishers, headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Oxford, U.K.
Fabian’s book is part of the academic series “Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis.” The series covers a wide range of topics in economics and finance with the mission of publishing scholarly research that helps advance the understanding of domestic and global economics. Fabian’s edition, volume 89 in the series, contains essays from experts on Central and Eastern Europe. Many of the authors are from this region. Fabian also contributed an essay to this book on how international human rights have affected post-communist Central and Eastern European policies prohibiting and punishing domestic violence.
“Globalization poses a giant question in the field of social science as to how it relates to every geographic location and to different facets of society,” Fabian explains. “I wanted to include a diversity of reflections that would demonstrate this broad array of experiences. Relatively little research has been done on Central and Eastern Europe and an interdisciplinary approach is necessary to accurately represent what is happening.”
The three-part volume begins with a discussion on the impacts of economic liberalization as a global trend that affects the politics and social institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. The second segment deals with the effects of globalization on diplomacy and international relations. The third part of the book analyzes the interactions between policy-making and social movement activism on issues such as the environment and equal opportunities in different Central and Eastern European countries.
Two international affairs students, Danielle Pollaci ’06 and Al-Amin Kheraj ’08 (Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania) assisted Fabian with research on the activities of various international organizations, campaigns, governments, and non-governmental groups that have helped shape contemporary Central and Eastern European politics, economies, and societies. Fabian says that the two students spent a great deal of time reviewing scholarly literatures and official websites, interviewing experts and networking with officials who have close connections to the region. She says she is impressed with the students’ work.
“I desire to instill a drive for learning in my students that will help them take a more active, deeply personal interest in their field of study,” Fabian explains. “I request that students ask more questions and be proactive and enthusiastic about their projects. I saw such willingness in these two students and I’m grateful for their assistance.”
Since the “Call for Papers” in 2004, careful research and insightful editing consumed three years. But, Fabian says, the idea has been a work in progress for the past 10 years. Globalization is a topic of both personal and scholarly interest to Fabian and she asserts that it is a topic of universal importance to all students as well as all global citizens.
“The scholarly endeavor and the personal aspects are always connected,” Fabian says. “I try to integrate globalization into my courses as much as possible. My students and I often discuss the issues, conflicts, and pros and cons of globalization in connection with other topics of academic research and inquiry. Whether or not we know it, globalization has a dramatic impact on virtually ever aspect of our lives from the food we eat and the clothes we wear, to our day-to-day interactions at work or at school. Our world has become so closely linked that our economic and political decisions inevitably impact others across the world.”
Fabian has shared her research through numerous articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. She has received many honors, awards, and prizes, including grants from the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the International Research and Exchanges Board, and the Ford Foundation.