Revista de Economie Mondiala/ Journal of Global Economics

3-10

Authors: Florin Bonciu

The process of globalization has passed through several stages since the end of the Second World War. This paper focuses on the period 1980-2020, and identifies a number of factors of influence that have led to the differentiation of 3 subperiods, i.e.: (1) 1980-2008: a subperiod of dynamic evolution and maturity of globalization; (2) 2008-2016: a subperiod of differentiation among players in the world economy and of erosion of the existing world order; and (3) 2016-2020: a subperiod of transition towards a new world order and a new type of globalization. During this last 2016-2020 subperiod, several trends and phenomena have been at work in outlinig the beginning of a moment of discontinuity. The conclusion is that globalization entered after 2016, and particularly after the Covid-19 crisis, into a new stage, with new characteristics that require both awareness nationally and cooperation internationally.

29-48

Authors: Cristian Moisoiu

Information and communication technologies (ICT) remain one of the top industries in the world economy, providing high value added, high-tech and showing potential to decide the future winners of the technological race on the global scene. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the associated crisis, the IT industry continued to grow dramatically and provide technical solutions to make traditional industries in lockdown work further, but also digital solutions for vital services, like local governance, education or shopping. Regardless of the evolution of the pandemic and the way out of the crisis, the high-tech tools will determine the future of the world economy. Thus, both the opportunities and risks are being analysed from the perspective of the world economic powers. Among these, the three main economic blocks that have a word to say in this global competition for digitalisation are the USA, China and the EU, each trying to acquire the most competitive advantages in order to win the current race.

62-78

Authors: Claudia Gabriela Baicu

Increasing the level of financial inclusion is a priority on the European Union's agenda. Against this backdrop, our paper presents the experience of six European countries – namely, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland and Ireland – in promoting financial inclusion. For this purpose, the following aspects have been taken into account: (1) relevant legislative measures aimed at ensuring the financial inclusion of the population and companies; (2) good practices for increasing financial inclusion; and (3) actions to improve financial education undertaken by central banks or other representative financial institutions in those countries. The results of our analysis reveal that these countries are deploying efforts to increase financial inclusion, but there are some peculiarities in addressing this topic. However, the most important initiatives to improve financial inclusion in these countries include: guaranteeing access to a basic payment account, facilitating the access of the population and companies to microfinance, and developing financial education programs.