MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.02.02
Walter E. Block
{"title":"EVICTIONISM AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS","authors":"Walter E. Block","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.02.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.02.02","url":null,"abstract":"Evictionism is a compromise position between the pro-life and pro-choice positions on abortion. The former prohibits killing or removing the fetus from the womb apart from the mother’s health considerations at any time during the pregnancy; the latter allows for both. Evictionism splits this particular “baby in half” by legally permitting the ejection of the pre-born baby at the mother’s discretion, but not killing this very young person. Given present medical technology, the fetus is viable in the third trimester, very rarely before that. Thus, evictionism resembles to the pro-life result at this stage of development of the fetus, in that the mother has the reject to eject or evict the fetus from her body, and the latter is viable outside of the womb. However, in the first two trimesters, the results of evictionism and the pro-choice position overlap: when evicted, the fetus will not survive. However, as medical technology improves, and the pre-born baby is viable outside of the womb earlier and earlier, evictionism will more and more come to resemble the pro-life position. However, evictionism will always, at any level of technology, remain separate from these two other more extremist positions. Evictionism is thus the moderate position between these two extreme perspectives. Block in a series of publications supports evictionism; Wisniewski rejects this theory. Grisillo castigates both for elements of their debate concerning improvement and the use of analogies. The present paper is a critique of this latter paper.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":" 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141833556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.02.04
Alan G. Futerman, Walter E. Block
{"title":"REJOINDER TO GORDON AND NJOYA ON ISRAEL AND LIBERTARIANISM","authors":"Alan G. Futerman, Walter E. Block","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.02.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.02.04","url":null,"abstract":"Block and Futerman (2021) maintain that the classical liberal political-economic philosophy, when properly understood, strongly supports Israel. Gordon and Njoya (2024) disagree and criticize the thesis of the two present authors. Gordon and Njoya (hence, GN) offer several arguments. For one thing, they maintain that we are mistaken in asserting a connection as we do between John Locke, libertarian theoretician of homesteading and private property rights, and Zionism. Our friendly critics aver that contrary to the title of our book, The Classical Liberal Case for Israel, we are simply making, instead, a typical or ordinary Zionist case to this end. GN also charge us with taking the position “that the legitimacy of the only Jewish state should not be questioned if the legitimacy of all other states is accepted.” Our learned colleagues hold the view that we “… consider that principles of property law are the only relevant benchmark by which a libertarian may ascertain war guilt. “All four of the present authors are staunch Rothbardians (we do not agree with him on this issue). Perhaps the widest divergence between the present authors and GN is the following: They opine that we “have misfired in (our) claim that Rothbard’s views of Zionism reflect a mistaken application of libertarian principles.“ The present paper is our response to these criticisms of our book made by Gordon and Njoya.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":" 38","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141833835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.02.07
Serghei Ohrimenco, Valeriu Cernei
{"title":"SILENT WARFARE: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CYBER BLOCKADES AND SANCTIONS","authors":"Serghei Ohrimenco, Valeriu Cernei","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.02.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.02.07","url":null,"abstract":"Traditionally, experts considered several blockades, including sea and land, with the development of aircraft transportation - air, and with the advent of space technology and special satellites - space. Also, information blockades have been introduced with the rapid development of computer technology and communication tools. Each type of blockade had its historical characteristics; they differed in costs and, of course, efficiency. In the second half and at the end of the 20th century, scientists operated the term cyber blockade and restrictions in cyberspace. The paper sequentially considers physical environments (domains): air, land, sea, outer space, information space, and cyberspace. Multiple definitions of cyberspace have emerged as this concept evolves and becomes more nuanced in response to rapid developments in the technical, technological, economic, and social dimensions of modern life. Due to their potential, cyber-attacks and cyber warfare have garnered significant attention considering the ongoing development of society and business. Cyber-attacks are carried out regularly - against government agencies, military and civilian departments, and private businesses. The growing dependence of countries on cyberspace can play a negative role in the process of confrontation. The enemy can attack those areas where cyberspace is a decisive element. The authors discussed the questions of cyber-blockade efficiency.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":" 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141832927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.02.05
Anej Grasic, Marko Vidnjevic
{"title":"EVOLUTION OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES AND THEIR UTILIZATION IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY","authors":"Anej Grasic, Marko Vidnjevic","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.02.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.02.05","url":null,"abstract":"Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have revolutionized finance and technology, presenting unparalleled opportunities for innovation. Emerging with Bitcoin in 2009, the crypto ecosystem has significantly evolved, encompassing a wide range of digital assets and decentralized applications. This paper delves into the origins of cryptocurrency, the dynamics of crypto transactions, and the transformative potential of blockchain technology. It examines various types of cryptocurrencies, including coins and tokens. Also, it explores the multiple layers of blockchain technology, from foundational infrastructure to advanced applications. Despite facing challenges, like market volatility and regulatory uncertainty, continuous collaboration and innovation drive the field forward. By adopting responsible development practices, stakeholders can harness the potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain to foster a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient financial ecosystem. This evolution promises to redefine traditional financial systems and enable new forms of economic participation and digital interaction, ultimately contributing to a more equitable global digital economy worldwide.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":" 44","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141833302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.02.09
Marko Vidnjevic, Martin Kralj
{"title":"ANALYSIS OF CHINA'S TRADE RELATIONS WITH CEEC","authors":"Marko Vidnjevic, Martin Kralj","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.02.09","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.02.09","url":null,"abstract":"This paper provides an analysis of China's trade relations with Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), Bulgaria (BGR), Croatia (HRV), Romania (ROU), Serbia (SRB), and Slovenia (SVN). It underscores the fundamental principles of international trade and the reciprocal advantages arising from collaboration between China and these CEEC nations. The analysis explores economic indicators, including GDP, current account balance, merchandise exports and imports, and agricultural product trade. Additionally, the paper highlights the stable economic conditions in China, characterized by consistent interest rates and minimal consumer price index fluctuations. Building on the stable economic conditions in China, the paper emphasizes the potential for win-win collaboration without currency risk. It proposes a strategic partnership involving the supply of advanced financed machinery from China to CEEC nations in exchange for fixed quantities of crops. The objective is to cultivate mutual economic and technological growth within a dependable and predictable trade environment.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":" 65","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141833578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-01-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.01.04
N. Gerdzhikova
{"title":"TEACHER’S AND PUPIL’S IDENTITIES IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING","authors":"N. Gerdzhikova","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.01.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.01.04","url":null,"abstract":"This paper explores the identity notion in the context of the teacher-pupil relationship and its impact on professional development. The study draws on international comparative research focusing on Bulgarian teachers and an example of one lesson in the mother tongue (Bulgarian language). The concept of professional identity is examined, encompassing various components such as the profession's philosophy, skills, attitude toward work, and interactions with colleagues. It is argued that professional identity is tied to social dedication and cultural values closely. The relationship between teachers and pupils involves coordination, cooperation, and co-construction which are essential for creating an orderly learning environment. The teacher's identity, social interactions, and significant memories influence the pupil's identity formation. The connection between the body and identity is also explored, highlighting the nature of subjectivity and its cultural influences. The research emphasizes the need for a qualitative approach to understand how the body shapes the identities of both teachers and pupils and how environmental factors contribute to this process. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of the complex nature of professional identity in the teaching profession.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":"11 2-3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-01-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.01.07
M. Hudáková, Katarína Hollá, Alena Kuricová
{"title":"INCREASING THE LEVEL OF COMPETENCIES OF OSH MANAGERS TO ENSURE HIGHER SECURITY AND PROSPERITY OF BUSINESSES","authors":"M. Hudáková, Katarína Hollá, Alena Kuricová","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.01.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.01.07","url":null,"abstract":"The essence of the contribution is to present the results of the analysis of current trends in the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) managers' competencies and to propose a competence framework for OSH managers for the study program Crisis Management at the Faculty of Security Engineering (FSE UNIZA). The proposed framework respects the legislative, normative, and managerial requirements imposed on this position, resulting from current practice in Slovakia and global trends. The authors created a framework with the requirements for basic professional knowledge and skills in the field of OSH. Managerial knowledge, skills, tasks, responsibilities for performing activities, and the entire OSH management process are described. The position of OSH manager should be moved toward strategic management. OSH manager should bear responsibility for the entire OSH management process, i.e., design, manage, and control processes associated with the OSH management process. Increasing the competence of health and safety managers will help companies minimize adverse impacts and increase prevention, safety, and company prosperity.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":"36 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140508124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-01-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.01.02
Zoran Cekerevac, Milanka Bogavac, L. Prigoda
{"title":"A REVIEW OF BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN LOGISTICS AND LAST-MILE DELIVERY","authors":"Zoran Cekerevac, Milanka Bogavac, L. Prigoda","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.01.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.01.02","url":null,"abstract":"Due to the ongoing arrival of individuals, large urban areas are expanding while the daily life within them becomes increasingly demanding. These cities' authorities confronted many challenges in providing necessities for their citizens, such as water and food supply, energy, public transportation, road infrastructure, healthcare services, waste management, recycling, and storage facilities. Cities embrace novel technologies and innovative approaches to cope with these evolving circumstances. Cyber-physical systems, digitization, networking, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and blockchains are valuable tools that enable the efficient functioning of smart cities. The subject matter of this article is very complex and covers several disciplines, such as management, transport, and information technologies. Few have mastered the necessary knowledge in all these areas. The authors wish that this multi-dimensional presentation of the current situation will be helpful to those who deal with the organization of life in cities, logistics, or the application of information technologies in business organizations, but also ordinary citizens who are not yet familiar with these problems. The article should allow the reader to see the complexity of last-mile delivery and encourage it to use its potential to get involved in solving this problem.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":"17 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-01-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.01.05
Antoaneta Kirova
{"title":"LOGISTICS CLUSTERS AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT","authors":"Antoaneta Kirova","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.01.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.01.05","url":null,"abstract":"Supply chain resilience in the face of shocks has arisen as a policy issue due to the multilateral trading system lowering trade barriers. Innovations in transportation technology created intelligent transport systems and production fragmentation of global supply chains. However, climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic restructured supplies in the global markets. At the same time, geopolitical conflict and tensions emerged with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, increased China’s military activity, introduced additional tension, and created difficulties for the supply chains. On the other hand, the current industrial policy, aiming at national economic growth, is motivated by objectives different from increasing company-level productivity or spillovers between sectors. The concern primarily revolves around supply chain resilience, the fear of weaponizing exports, supporting technological advancement, and the need for policymakers to introduce greater control over economic activity in anticipation of potential shocks. In cross-border supply chains, some governments seek to coordinate their industrial policies with the most significant partners without implementing measures at the national level (Bown, 2023). Overlaying other considerations is the existential threat of climate change, a significant driver behind many modern industrial policy initiatives. That is leading to the rebirth of the idea of logistic clusters uniting different partners in size with foreign trade-oriented activities, aiming at efficiency as well as resiliency of the logistics chains. Based mainly on deep secondary research, this paper addresses the rebirth of cluster ideas in international transport and logistic activities.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":"8 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140508586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
MEST JournalPub Date : 2024-01-15DOI: 10.12709/mest.12.12.01.01
Walter Block
{"title":"WALTER BLOCK ABOUT HIS STUDENT PUBLICATION PROGRAM","authors":"Walter Block","doi":"10.12709/mest.12.12.01.01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12709/mest.12.12.01.01","url":null,"abstract":"Over 150 of my undergraduate students’ term papers have been published in law reviews or refereed scholarly journals in economics, politics, philosophy, and other such venues. This is the story of how this program started, and how it is implemented. Hopefully, this will encourage other instances of similar faculty-student cooperation.","PeriodicalId":487094,"journal":{"name":"MEST Journal","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140508600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}