“The logo of the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg (iASK) refers to a more than 100 – year old, but still topical problem: how to join 9 dots arranged in a box – like square format with four straight lines without lifting the pen. The solution is only possible if, while moving the pen, we get out of the box. The box in fact does not exist, it is only a self imposed virtual limitation. Even more, the task can be solved also by using just one straight line, the only problem is that in order to achieve that the earth has to be circled twice. But why not circle the earth twice? We certainly have to consider the cost/benefit aspect as well but the lesson must not be forgotten: we shoud think twice before calling the solution of a task impossible.

This mentality characterizes the Institute of Advanced Studies Kőszeg, that has been functioning since 2015. Its intellectual and organizational roots go back for about three decades to the Institute of Social and European Studies Foundation, that both in research and teaching also integrates theoretical and practical studies, responds rapidly to changing social and economic conditions, not only in teaching and scholarly publicatons, but also by working out policy proposals. Transferring up to date knowledge about topical issues to the non-academic society is also as important for the institute as high level research. According to the philosophy of the Institute traditional, greatly segmented research and educational structures do not reflect the complexity of problems in our age of uncertainties with increasing levels of threats. Therefore integrated, multidisciplinary approaches are believed to be the winners.

I have been working at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and at numerous top level international institutions for more than sixty years and both as a physicist and as a leader of all types of research structures, I have learnt a lot about individual and institutional creativity. Scientific success is rooted in a never ending curiousity driven approach, expressed in clearly formulated questions and continous reflections on the local, regional and more global problems in the world. As I have been following the making and working of the Institute and the Foundation from the very beginning, I could witness their implementation of these principles. The content of this issue of Köz-Gazdaság is a clear evidence for that. I warmly recommend its reading.” (Norbert Kroó)

CONTENTS

Norbert Kroó: Introductory Remarks
iASK, an Institutional Response to Challenges in an Age of Uncertainties
Ferenc Miszlivetz: Inside and Outside of Science, The Legacy of Elemér Hankiss
Sean Cleary: Confronting the Challenges of Global Complexity
Legacies and Their Consequences
András Nagy: Historical Failure or Political Realism? The 1956 Hungarian Revolution’s (mis)handling by the United Nations
Lyubov Shishelina: Behind the Curtains of the Czech-Russian Diplomatic Conflict
The Complexity of Uncertainties
Mario Neve: Housing Identities: At the Roots of Present-day Belonging’s Uneasiness
Augustin Nguh: Putting the Cart Before the Horse: How the EU-Africa Cooperation on Migration Has Failed and What to do about it
Jody Jensen: Expectations Unleashed: What May Come from the Biden Administration and the G7 in 2021
Global Problems – Local Answers
Dimitar Nikolovski: European Integration as New National Mythology: On the Resolution of the Macedonian Name Dispute
Ivana Stepanović: Transformation of the Private/Public Divide in the Times of COVID-19: How Economy-Driven Policies are Reshaping the Concept of Social/Physical Distancing in Serbia
Sanja Tepavcevic: Changing Geography, Retaining the Mentality: Social and Economic Integration of Post-Soviet Immigrants in Hungary and Austria
Mariann Szabó, Viktória Józsa: Cultural Heritage Valorisation for Regional Development
Anikó Magasházi: East – Asian lead Firms’ Impact on the Electronics Industry of the V4 Countries: Samsung and its Competitors
Threats and Opportunities for 21st Century Higher Education
Sándor Kerekes: Creative destruction and circular economy. The concourse and the attitude of PhD scholars
Dániel Zoltán András – Porkoláb Patrícia Fanni: Success factorsfor university incubators – a benchmarking model for better performance
James M. Skelly: Information Technologies, Reading, and the Future of Higher Education

You can read the Special Issue HERE!