Abstract
This paper critically assesses the main themes underlying the ideological discourse of the Front National Party of France in the 1980s and 1990s. It begins by outlining the ideological assumptions upon which the Front National is founded. Then, in order to understand this ideological, the paper examines the factors that led to the break down of the pre-millennium consensus.

From the Paper
"It is also clear that the growth of the Front National came about as a direct result of the collapse of the political consensus. With this political collapse there followed a parallel reduction in the acceptance of the liberalisation movements of the 1960s and 1970s and what they brought about. However, one thing that is certain is that the issues that have been highlighted above are important to a great number in the French electorate. Since 2002 the Front National has grown to be the third largest party in French politics. Moreover, given the proportional electoral system adopted in French elections it is far from impossible to think that in the future the party may gain a foothold in government. If the leading moderate parties are to avert such an end it will be necessary for them to clearly highlight the flaws in Front National's ideological outlook whilst at the same time addressing the very real concerns their ideological position has generated."

Tags:consensus electorate, Jean Marie Le Pen

Abstract
In this article, the writer provides a review of three different pieces of academic literature that deal with the Union's role in international politics. These works are an article by Birol Yesilada, Brian Efird and Peter Noordijk entitled 'Competition among Giants', Stanley Sloan's 'NATO, the European Union and the Atlantic Community' and Stephanie Anderson's book 'Crafting EU Security Policy'. The methodological approach is outlined for each work along with the main issues it highlights. Ultimately, the writer assesses to what extent these pieces of academic literature offer new and developed insight into the question of international relations from the European perspective. The writer concludes that the wide diversity of possible solutions available with regard to European expansion and international relations are clear by the different answers and responses contained within each of the above mentioned academic works.

From the Paper
"Indeed, although the NATO alliance has undergone some particularly difficult years implementing a united policy, particularly with regard the war on terror, I still agree that this is where the most effective future for the European Union lies. Above all, the framework for cooperation on this basis has already been largely established with all the leading union members also being members of NATO. Moreover, Sloan is quite right to declare that social and cultural similarities that have developed over decades and centuries provide much support for a reinvigoration of the Atlantic alliance.
"However, is it possible that there is a third option that does not require the union forging ever closer links with outside powers, whether they are Russia or the United States?"

Tags:foreign, diplomatic, world, power, global

Abstract
This paper examines the nature of the threat that the Ottoman Empire posed to 16th century European states. The author finds that the reality of the menace is accepted during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent, but the magnitude of the danger is, however, questioned.

From the Paper
"At first glance it is tempting to view the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century as posing a very serious threat indeed to Europe. From the reign of Mehmet II, the achievements of the Sultans mounted, so that in order to understand the menace of the Ottomans one must place due emphasis on the capture of Constantinople by the aforementioned Sultan in 1453. From this point the momentum driving the Ottoman state to becoming a major power seemed to generally increase, through the reigns of Bayezit II, Selim I and culminating in the reign of the "lawgiver" Suleyman, known by the West as the ?Magnificent.? Indeed, it is clear that the threat posed was a real one, and at times serious enough to provoke a sense off panic from European peoples, especially following moments such as when the army of Suleyman laid siege to Vienna for some 3 weeks before withdrawing before the winter of 1529. There were also some impressive victories for the Ottomans: Rhodes, described by Ann Williams as "the thorn in the Sultan's flesh" was taken from the Knights of St. John in 1522, and Belgrade the "gateway to central Europe" captured in the same year as the defeat and slaughter of the army of Louis II of Hungary. Barbarossa, as Lord Admiral of Suleyman's formidable fleet ravaged the coastline of Italy and North Africa and pitched himself against Dorea, and posed a serious distraction for Charles V. However, the reality of the threat the Ottomans posed has been inordinately presented, a process which began in the interpretations made by contemporary 16th century commentators whose knowledge of the east was often incomplete. An examination of Knolles "General History of the Turks" praises aspects of the Ottoman Empire such as its military and political organisation and unified faith whilst revealing the author's lack of acquaintance with it in his portrayal of the Turks as a society primarily militaristic, uncultured, corrupt and unstable. Thus whilst communicating the strength of the Islamic adversary in order to encourage Christian unity in the face of danger, he is loath to credit the Ottomans to highly as a race of foreign ?others.? His prejudices and motivations therefore dictates that his source by treated with caution, and indicates to the historian the dangers of accepting 16th century interpretations of the threat posed by the Ottomans too highly."

Tags:magnificent, ottomans, suleyman, warfare

Abstract
This essay argues that the Russian revolution of 1905 was a protest against the Tsar's refusal to make political concessions, and that once the concessions were given, the revolution was doomed to failure. It argues that the opposition was disorganized and not united in its objectives, and that generally the people of Russia still revered the Tsar, despite his faults.

From the Paper
"On 9 January 1905, a worker's procession in St Petersburg calling for social and political reform was fired upon by panicked troops and two hundred people were killed. A resultant wave of strikes and protests across the country threatened to overthrow the monarchy; indeed, as most of the army was engaged in the war against Japan, the Tsar had little protection. Opposition to the Tsar had been building up for many years, and was made up of a broad range of political groups, including peasants and workers, moderates and revolutionaries, liberals and socialists."

Tags:1905, bloody, communist, duma, manifesto, nicholas, october, petersburg, revolution, russia, tsar, witte, russian

Abstract
This paper explains that, since its inception, several events have conspired to push the European Union (EU) towards implementing foreign and security policies and military intervention; the ethnic conflicts on the doorstep of Europe in the Balkans and specifically the failures in Bosnia and Kosovo have prompted EU leaders to consider the role of the EU in military and humanitarian concerns. The author points out that, in the war on terror, the American response was 'shock and awe'; whereas, the 'European way of war' includes not only the Petersberg Tasks of peacekeeping and humanitarian aid but also trying to deal with the congeries of economic, political, social and human factors, which, if left unaddressed, can contribute to conflict and to support for terrorism. The paper concludes that the EU's identity as an actor on the world stage, as it has developed over the years, has proven it to be a successful economic and political participant in world affairs and, therefore, has been obliged the EU to take responsibility for international conflict and humanitarian crises in its capacity as a major world actor.

Table of Contents
Bosnia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Congo
The End of the Cold War
The 'War on Terror'
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The massacre at Srebrenica in Bosnia, July 1995 was called 'the worst mass murder in Europe since 1945'. The massacre was the culmination of civil war between Serbs and Muslims, brought about through ethnic rivalries. At the time, the United Nations (UN) was in official command of troops in Bosnia and had designated Srebrenica a safe zone for Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), but the UN troops (under a Dutch commander) found themselves unable to intervene. The troops, called in for peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, were not authorised to engage with the Serbs. While the EU with its newly formed Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) attempted negotiations, it was a case of too little, too late."

Tags:bosnia, macedonia, peacekeeping, policy, security

Abstract
This essay deals with the issue of domestic violence in Serbia and what makes the problem in Serbia unique. It describes the current and historical situation and provides details of research and figures. It looks at laws that concern domestic violence and groups that are concerned with the issue. Also examined are the attitudes toward domestic violence and some of its causes.

From the Paper
"This essay will deal with the phenomenon of domestic violence (nb) in Serbia. It will set out to discover the extent of domestic violence. As well as providing explanations for attitudes towards domestic violence and whether there is a historical, political, or social context that is specific to Serbia. In recent years Serbia has been through four wars, and maybe because of this the issue of domestic violence is seen as unimportant. But there is a need for this topic to be dealt with, as there are many victims needing help."

Tags:abuse, balkan, patriarcal, society, zadruga

Abstract
This paper examines the part the Balkans had to play in the outbreak of World War I. It argues that whilst Russia, Serbia and Austria all viewed hostilities as local to the area, Germany deliberately exploited the situation to create European war.

From the Paper
"The racial struggle cannot be avoided " perhaps it will not take place now, but it will probably take place in one or two years." Kaiser Wilhelm II, 10 December, 1912 That the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand provided the spark for World War One there can be little doubt. However, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and many of his generals, cabinet and advisors, had been looking for an excuse to instigate European war, and more specifically the Schlieffen Plan, before Russia's military power grew to rival that of Germany's."

Tags:archduke, austria, europe, germany, russia, schlieffen, serbia, war, wilhelm, wwi, world, war, i

Abstract
This paper discusses the main challenges involved in formulating and instigating foreign relations policies and decisions within the European Union (EU). It looks at the reasons why these problems and challenges occur and discusses the best ways to overcome the difficulties. The paper presents specific examples to explain the current situation.

From the Paper
"As such, the solution is a simple one in theory though enormously difficult in practice. In order for the European Union to carry out foreign relations in a manner which fit its theoretical global position, much higher levels of integration is required. A concrete and vital start to this process would be the establishment of a Union wide constitution capable of acting as the ultimate authority. However, both this and further measures to ensure the effectiveness of collective action outside the Union would require the large scale removal of sovereignty from individual member states to the central Union authority. Opposition to such moves would be considerable and thus given its fragmented mature, it is unlikely that the European Union will be able to act in such a way for some time to come."

Tags:authority, security, gloablization

Abstract
To understand a present-day culture one must look to its past, its formation and foundation. In the case of modern day Russia, the author contends that the domination and repression imposed by the Mongol Horde forever changed the course of the Slavic people. Specifically, he believes that there was a great impact upon the cultural makeup, the arts and architecture, and the development of science and technology. An examination of Proto-Rus and its evolution is essential in understanding the formation of modern Russia.

From the Paper
"From 862 -1237 AD, the first proto-Russian political entity was founded by Rurik in the vicinity of Novgorod in 862 AD, when the Varangians had controlled many of the trade routes leading from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea by way of lakes and river. All Russian leaders for the next 700 years would descend from Rurik. In 880-882 AD, another Varangian named Oleg assumed rule of Kiev, which quickly became the political center of the territory known as Kievan Rus (Lawrence 1993). The city of Kiev rose in importance in an era known as "the Golden Age of Kiev" until the 13th century, when Kiev's stature as the political center of the Russian Empire declined rapidly owing to variety of factors, such as familial infighting and the Mongol invasion. The lasting achievements of the Kievan Rus era were the Christianization of Russia following the Eastern Orthodox faith and the formulation and acceptance of the Cyrillic alphabet (Ragsdale 1996)."

Tags:khan, russia, russian, slavic

Abstract
A look at the formation of the 'Mighty Five', five Russian composers, Korsakov, Balakirev, Borodin, Mussorgsky and Glinka who changed Russian music and stance impacting recognition from the Western world. A look at their contributions and impact on the world of music.

From the Paper
"The culmination of five ingenious, dedicated composers and one highly skilled evangelist led to the recognition of Russian music. This would be the recognition of a distinct, nationalist approach to music. Involving traditional melodies, and folk songs, and composed in a uniquely Russian manner. They would forever change Russian classical music, and made a large impact upon the rest of the Western world. It is important to recognize two key individuals; one Rimsky-Korsakov for his incredibly sophisticated works, and two the work of Stasov as propagandist. Finally the Mighty Five as a whole should be recognized for their achievements, contributions, and enduring impact on music.'

Tags:composer, russia, russian, Korsakov, Balakirev, Borodin, Mussorgsky, Glinka