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Territorial economic and social disparities remain a major problem for the European Union today, especially in Eastern Europe. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of the economic and social shocks of the 2000s (the economic and financial crisis of 2008-09 and the COVID-19 pandemic) on the economies of four Central Eastern European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary). The study presents county-level differences in gross value added with classical descriptive statistics, inequality indices, convergence analyses and spatial autocorrelation. The results show that the impact of the shocks of the 2000s varies across counties, which led to different paths of recovery. Spatial autocorrelation is significant, but patterns remain stable through the period of exogenous shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the representation of social classes in novels about the crisis based on a general overview and the subsequent analysis of two works with choral protagonists, Los besos en el pan by Almudena Grandes and Peligro de derrumbe by Pedro Simón. It is found that this narrative has focused its interest on the portrayal of the decomposition of the middle class and has thus contributed to shaping a depiction of the consequences of the economic crisis from a partial and limited perspecti- ve that sidelines migrants, workers, or laborers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the EU's strategy for recovering from the economic and social consequences of the pandemic, of which the NextGenerationEU temporary stimulus package forms part. That strategy is compared to the diametrically opposite approach taken by EU institutions in the crisis of 2008. The most significant elements and economic policy references adopted in the two cases are identified. The paradigm shift in economic policy is evident, and the errors that led to a double dip in European economies in the handling of the earlier crisis have been avoided. In spite of the better discretionary response, it is argued that there is a need for a permanent, amply endowed, well-designed European stabilisation mechanism free from complexes in regard to the mutualisation of debt, so as to simplify procedures and reduce reaction times in the face of further crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As United States citizens experience the rising cost of health care and the economic impact of COVID-19, they have turned toward other means of securing financial assistance. One popular strategy is the use of crowdfunding through GoFundMe (GFM). Recently, scholars have examined the mechanisms behind a "successful " campaign. However, few scholars explore how these narratives are constructed. Using narrative inquiry, we examined the narrative structure of 83 GFM requests with the aim of understanding how people construct those seeking financial assistance for mental health as people of moral worth. Our results reveal that narratives are typically structured through the hero/heroine's story arch, often focusing on how the person has much to offer to society, is ready for change through whatever means necessary, and is only seeking requests after exhausting all other options. Such constructions may inadvertently further perpetuate stigma toward mental health needs and those who experience mental health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do crises shape native attitudes towards migrants? A common threat could produce an empathy channel among natives, but the perception of competition for scarce economic resources could just as easily spark prejudice through a resentment channel. Totally, 3,400 Colombian citizens were surveyed and randomly primed to consider the economic consequences of COVID-19 before eliciting their attitudes towards Venezuelan migrants. The findings suggest that native attitudes towards migrants are substantially more suggestive of the resentment channel in the treatment group. However, respondents in the so-called impressionable years —ages 18–25—showed more altruism towards migrants after priming. Interestingly, both effects disappear in response to positive news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existential positive psychology, also known as PP 2.0, is well positioned to address the impacts of the stress brought on by COVID-19, because it integrates existentialism's focus on suffering with positive psychology's concentration on flourishing. Especially in these pandemic times, a psychology that focuses solely on the positive seems out of touch with reality. As the physical, mental, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19 continue, many of us are experiencing a crisis of meaning. Existential positive psychology highlights the importance of meaning making in the aftermath of a crisis, especially meaning that is oriented toward selftranscendence. Crisis can become the opportunity for change, as we re-consider, both individually and collectively, the meanings we live by. Self-compassion can aid us in this process of self-reflection, as we use our meaning-making abilities to work with and through our suffering, whether it is a personal story of cancer and suicide loss or the collective story of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

And the future of democracy and the search for the consolidation of the right State, implies debating the effectiveness of human rights in times of crisis, wars and pandemics, which represents the greatest challenge that we currently face as a global society, above all. little development of public policies and the lack of a general direction aimed at alleviating the suffering of people, as a consequence of the economic imbalance, the unjust distribution of wealth, and the inequalities generated by globalization and the errors that converged the advent and installation of the neoliberal economic model; this is despite the fact that, to a large extent, human rights have become fundamental rights, due to their constitutionalization and full recognition in the majority of Western constitutions. Therefore, during a crisis, and especially from a derivative of SARS-CoV2, called COVID-19, considered by the World Health Organization - WHO, as a pandemic, it is important to address the repercussions that have had on the effects of Globalization in their constitutions and in their institutions, especially in the catalog of human rights, as some human rights have passed to form part of positive rights, they do not imply, as Ferrajoli denounces: "la misma democracy", but en cambio, if it necessarily implies el derecho. This decision mentioned by Ferrajoli has had a deep analysis in recent times, and has brought about structural reforms to modern constitutional ones, mainly to the fundamental rights and their laws and guarantee procedures, which has implied a new constitutional order, more the demands of a global world, and above all, the recommendations of the United Nations Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The talks that have been resumed for reaching a free trade agreement between the European Union and India have a good chance for success. Both partners, especially India, have to achieve new economic dynamics in order to be able to face the challenge posed by China. This decisive reason is supported by Brexit, the pandemic and the climate crisis, which also spark an exogenous, geostrategic dynamic that gives new impetus to the paralyzed liberal paradigm of free trade. Taken together, it is likely that exogenous geostrategic factors realign the endogenous economic factors and thus promote a positive outcome despite the ongoing weakness of liberal free trade ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 became a global health crisis affecting all collective spheres. French nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are trying to participate in the crisis response, but they are suffering from the consequences of the crisis and a structural lack of resources. The aim of this article is to understand how they reacted to the crisis and how they coped with the associated lack. It is based on an extensive survey of French NPOs during the first lockdown. The results show that NPOs considerably reduced their activity while trying to maintain social links. Despite the reorganization of working arrangements during COVID-19, the economic impact of the crisis was very strong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article "The Critique of Crisis: Observations on the Historical Development of a Widely Used Word" by Wolfgang Kofler, the meaning of the word "Krise" (crisis) is examined. The author argues that crises not only signify danger and threat, but also promote processes of reflection and deliberation. He points out that the Greek word "krísis" can also have a positive outcome and that the concept of crisis is often negatively connotated. The author emphasizes the importance of calm and thoughtful deliberation in times of crisis and that competent handling of crises is of great significance for both individual educational and life paths, as well as for society. [Extracted from the article]

The 2008 economic crisis has had particularly negative effects on the youth labour market outcomes in Southern Europe. Thus, it is hardly surprising that many Southern European youngsters see migration as the only way to escape from under-employment and precariousness. In this context, the article studies the reasons for emigration to Mexico of a group of young graduates from Italy and Spain. The paper is based on 42 in-depth semi-structured interviews with young graduates, aged 29 years old or less on their arrival in Mexico. The article first explores the relevance of the economic crisis as the main reason behind the migration of this group. It is revealed that the interviewed graduates had a precarious labour incorporation back in their countries of origin, and migration appeared as a means to further their careers. Second, the paper analyses the interviewees' labour incorporation in Mexico; in many cases this coincides with an extended university-work transition, since many of them had not secured full-time permanent jobs before their arrival in Mexico. Finally, the paper explores the interviewees' future plans. These depend not only on their work experiences in Mexico but also on their degree of social and cultural integration in the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electricity outage during the 2021 Texas power crisis substantively undermines the state's economy. To evaluate the economic impacts, we empirically provide a baseline estimate for such an outage with a GDP elasticity of electricity generation of 0.62 and detect that electricity generation significantly Granger causes Texas' GDP but not vice versa. Our investigation reveals that the 2021 power crisis tends to reduce Texas' GDP by at least 1.44%. Because power system primarily underpins the economy, our findings imply that Texas should utilize various available technological and regulatory options to strengthen its power system to accommodate more resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyses the consequences of the financial crisis on Argentina's economy, the severity of which was disproportionately magnified by the problem of unbalanced sheets as well as difficulties faced on the political level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]