Jože Mencinger
Encyclopedia
Jože Mencinger is a Slovenia
n lawyer
, economist
, and politician
.
Born in Jesenice, Slovenia, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
. After finishing the study of law at the University of Ljubljana
in 1964, he obtained an MA at the University of Belgrade
in 1966. He obtained his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania
in 1975.
In May 1990, he was appointed Minister of Economy in the first democratically elected Slovenian government. In Lojze Peterle
's cabinet, he served as Vice President of the Government for Economic Coordination from 1990 to 1991 (as a member of the Slovenian Social Democratic Union). In May 1991, he resigned because of disagreements on the model of privatization of the economy to be followed in Slovenia. Soon afterwards, he quit the Slovenian Social Democratic Union.
In 1992, he became member of the Democratic Party. After the party's failure to gain parliamentary representation in the 1996 elections, he quit politics.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he came back to the public life as a strong critic of Slovenia's membership in the European Union
and NATO. In the mid 2000s, he engaged in frequent and virulent polemics with the younger generation of Slovenian liberal
and neo-liberal economists (Mičo Mrkaić, Jože P. Damijan, Sašo Polanec, Igor Masten, Janez Šušteršič). Between 2004 and 2008, he frequently criticized the liberal economic policies of Janez Janša
's center-right government.
Between 2001 and 2005, he served as rector of the University of Ljubljana.Mencinger was also Member of the Slovenian National Council
for 5 years.
He is a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
and has received the Golden Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia. He as also commented on the experience of privatization in Sovenia during the post communist era.
Mencinger appears in Boris Malagurski
's documentary film The Weight of Chains
where he talks about the effects of Slovenia joining the European Union
.
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
n lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
, and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Born in Jesenice, Slovenia, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Kingdom of Yugoslavia
The Kingdom of Yugoslavia was a state stretching from the Western Balkans to Central Europe which existed during the often-tumultuous interwar era of 1918–1941...
. After finishing the study of law at the University of Ljubljana
University of Ljubljana
The University of Ljubljana is the oldest and largest university in Slovenia. With 64,000 enrolled graduate and postgraduate students, it is among the largest universities in Europe.-Beginnings:...
in 1964, he obtained an MA at the University of Belgrade
University of Belgrade
The University of Belgrade is the oldest and largest university of Serbia.Founded in 1808 as the Belgrade Higher School in revolutionary Serbia, by 1838 it merged with the Kragujevac-based departments into a single university...
in 1966. He obtained his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1975.
In May 1990, he was appointed Minister of Economy in the first democratically elected Slovenian government. In Lojze Peterle
Lojze Peterle
Alojz "Lojze" Peterle is a Slovenian politician. He was the leader of the Slovene Christian Democrats from the founding of the party in 1990 until it merged with the Slovenian People's Party in 2000. Between 1990 and 1992, he was the president of the first freely elected Slovenian government, and...
's cabinet, he served as Vice President of the Government for Economic Coordination from 1990 to 1991 (as a member of the Slovenian Social Democratic Union). In May 1991, he resigned because of disagreements on the model of privatization of the economy to be followed in Slovenia. Soon afterwards, he quit the Slovenian Social Democratic Union.
In 1992, he became member of the Democratic Party. After the party's failure to gain parliamentary representation in the 1996 elections, he quit politics.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he came back to the public life as a strong critic of Slovenia's membership in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
and NATO. In the mid 2000s, he engaged in frequent and virulent polemics with the younger generation of Slovenian liberal
Economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is the ideological belief in giving all people economic freedom, and as such granting people with more basis to control their own lives and make their own mistakes. It is an economic philosophy that supports and promotes individual liberty and choice in economic matters and...
and neo-liberal economists (Mičo Mrkaić, Jože P. Damijan, Sašo Polanec, Igor Masten, Janez Šušteršič). Between 2004 and 2008, he frequently criticized the liberal economic policies of Janez Janša
Janez Janša
Janez Janša is a Slovenian politician who was Prime Minister of Slovenia from November 2004 to November 2008. He has also been President of the Slovenian Democratic Party since 1993...
's center-right government.
Between 2001 and 2005, he served as rector of the University of Ljubljana.Mencinger was also Member of the Slovenian National Council
National Council (Slovenia)
The National Council is according to the Constitution of Slovenia the representative of social, economic, professional and local interest groups in Slovenia and has a legislative function working as a corrective mechanism of the National Assembly, although it does not itself pass acts. It may be...
for 5 years.
He is a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
European Academy of Sciences and Arts
The European Academy of Sciences and Arts was created in 1990 in Salzburg, Austria by heart surgeon Felix Unger of Salzburg; the cardinal archbishop of Vienna, Franz König; and the political scientist and philosopher Nikolaus Lobkowicz....
and has received the Golden Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia. He as also commented on the experience of privatization in Sovenia during the post communist era.
Mencinger appears in Boris Malagurski
Boris Malagurski
Boris Malagurski is a Serbian-Canadian film director, producer and screenwriter. He is the owner of the Malagurski Cinema production company, based in Vancouver, Canada.-Life and work:Born to Prof. Dr. Sc...
's documentary film The Weight of Chains
The Weight of Chains
The Weight of Chains is a 2010 Canadian documentary film directed by Boris Malagurski which analyzes the role that the United States, NATO and the EU played in the breakup of Yugoslavia. It was released on December 17, 2010.-Production:...
where he talks about the effects of Slovenia joining the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.