SECURITY, POLITICS, AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF ROMANIA’S RAILWAY EVOLUTION (1846-2007)

Author(s): Adrian DESPINA, Cecilia CIOCÎRLAN
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: December 31, 2024
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 2 (32)/2024
DOI:

Abstract:
The modernization and technological advancements in railway systems have
proven essential in enhancing both the safety and security of rail transport. Given the
important role it plays in the movement of people and goods, Romania`s rail infrastructure
has an essential role as it is considered as European critical infrastructure, which also
indicates the increased role of rail transport security.
This research analyses the evolution and development of Romania’s railway
infrastructure, focusing on security and resilience aspects, while examining the role of the
Romanian state through the lens of political and economic factors. The article provides a
synthesis of the main specialized studies that explore the relationship between railway
development and factors such as political regime, political motivation, socio-economic
investments, population growth, and times of crisis. Additionally, it addresses the
relationship between security, technological development, and the related political
legislative framework.
The article examines from a political science perspective the historical evolution
and impact of the determining factors on railway development, as well as the dynamics of
security factors, emphasizing that citizen safety remains at the core of the state’s actions.
Thus, this study has two main research questions: (1) What factors contributed to railway
development in Romania between 1846 and 2007? and (2) What factors influenced citizen
safety during the same period?

Keywords: railway infrastructure, security, resilience, political factors, socio-
economic investments.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic License.

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