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This paper deals with the theoretical and empirical relations between living standard, quality of life, globalization and international competitiveness of countries. While economists are not convinced that competitiveness of countries is a useful concept, because firms and industries compete economically and not countries, the general public, journalists and politicians seem to feel that competitiveness is important. E.g., one of the goals of the European Union is to become the most competitive economy in the world. Furthermore, economists argue, that economic globalization has the potential of increasing economic welfare for all. In this case, the general public is more sceptical. Finally, the general public but even other scientists than economists, seem to believe that living standard and the quality of life are only weakly related to each other. The following results can be mentioned. We found strong positive correlations between our main variables. Our hypotheses are with other words supported.

The Lisbon Agenda from 2000 aims to make the European Union the most competitive economy in the world in 2010. This paper discusses the concept of international competitiveness of nations. While journalists and politicians believe that it is important for a country to be competitive, economist have often a different opinion. The World Economic Forum (WEF) presents two indices: the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and the Business Competitiveness Index (BCI). While Europe and the EU on average seem to be not very competitive, several of the European countries are internationally highly ranked. For the WEF a consequence of competitiveness is high standard of living. The paper shows that several of the European countries belong to the ones with the highest living standard in the world. In the sample, 40 European and 4 non-european countries are included. Finally, it could be shown that the correlation coefficients between the rankings of GCI, BCI and living standards are high and positive.

The paper describes the theoretical and empirical interactions between globalization and internationalization on one hand and living standards and the quality of life on the other hand. The empirical results for 58 countries show high and positive correlations between rankings of the main variables.

In this paper living standards and quality of life in 32 European countries are described and discussed. To express living standards, both Gross domestic product per head of population in purchasing power parities (GDPpcPPP) and the Human development index (HDI) from the UNDP, consisting of GDPpcPPP, life expectancy at birth and an education index are used. Quality of life is expressed by the Quality of life index (QLI) from the Economist and consists of 9 different aspects. Furthermore, the author investigated the possible importance of the income distribution for GDP pc and HDI. The results of some statistical calculations showed that there are high and positive correlations between GDP pc, life expectancy a birth and an education variable. Because of the construction of HDI, even the correlations between these variables and the index are high. Furthermore the rankings between the 32 countries, regarding HDI, GDP pc PPP and QLI have high positive correlations. How important is income distribution? While the correlations between different income distribution variables are high and have the expected signs, the correlations between income distrbution on one hand and GDP pc and HDI on the other hand had the expected signs, but are not significant.

This paper investigates the situation and future development of human resources in Europe. It is discussed whether economic growth and growth of living standard in the future against the background of demographic changes is possible.

To become a member of the European Union, certain conditions have to be fulfilled. First of all, a country has to apply for membership. Furthermore, the country must geographically be situated in Europe, though there is some space of discussion (Cyprus, Turkey, and some territories and countries outside Europe). Finally the country has to meet the Copenhagen criteria (stability of institutions, functioning market economy, ability to take on the obligations of membership). Since 2004, new members of the EU even have to join the Economic and Monetary Union, when they fulfil the Maastricht criteria (low inflation and long-run interest rates, low public deficits and debts, stable exchange rates and independent national central bank). The purpose of this paper is to investigate some economic aspects and challenges of the enlargement of the EU since 2000. Even possible future enlargements will be discussed. Among the economic aspects the size, internationalisation and globalisation will be discussed mostly in macroeconomic terms. Furthermore, the question of Europe's international competitiveness and the Lisbon agenda from 2000 will be treated. The time perspective regarding the economic development in the past is approximately the years from 2000 to 2007, i.e. the actual development in 2008 and 2009 will not be dealt with. Finally, the question will be asked, whether past and future enlargements lead to a stronger or weaker European Union

According to the Lisbon Agenda of the year 2000, the goal of the European Union is to become in 2010 the most competitive economy in the world, able to achieve high employment, rising economic growth and rising living standards. Furthermore, social and regional cohesion and a positive environmental development shall be attained, though according to the Barroso Commission the focus is now on employment and growth, while social and environmental aspects are seen as longer-term goals. The Lisbon Agenda aims to prepare the European Union for the challenges of globalization. Since the Lisbon Summit in 2000, the EU has been enlarged with 12 new members, among them the Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The purpose of this paper is firstly to investigate how - economic - globalization can be defined and measured and secondly, how competitiveness can be expressed. While globalization is measured mostly in absolute figures, regarding competitiveness, a - relative - comparison of countries is shown. The focus is on the Baltic States, with Sweden as a comparison. Though competitiveness of nations is according to Krugman a discussable phenomenon, Porter and the World Economic Forum (WEF) are presenting indicators for this concept in the yearly published Gobal Competitiveness Report. According to the WEF, international competitiveness of nations can be expressed by high growth and living standard in the medium and long run and by high and rising employment. [From the publication]

This comment discusses D. Koreleski's article in Acta Scientarium Polonorum - Oeconomia 6(3). The aim of the comment is firstly to discuss the article and secondly to present some completing ideas.

This paper is dealing with the Lisbon Agenda, i.e. in which way the European Union members are developing regarding growth and employment and if there is a possibility to fulfill the Lisbon goals in 2010. Special attention is on the Baltic countries. Even forecasts for growth and employment are presented. Social cohesion and environmental aspects are not dealt with.