Europäische rechtsgeschichte, immer noch ein projekt

The article describes the state of European Legal History as a discipline such as it has developed since the end of the Second World War. Major determinants were the Europe – euphoria of the Fiftieth, subsequently the gradual coalescence of the European Union, and eventually the return of the East – and South-East-European Nations to the free world. Yet”European Legal History“ as a well-defined discipline still is but a project. Perspectives of the future could be the following : To overcome nationalistic views when investigating pre-nationalistic periods of time, furthermore to join together sub-disciplines that define themselves by their respective sources (Roman Law, Canon Law, ius patrium), finally to extend the traditional legal history beyond civil law to the entire territory of law including non-state systems of norms. The aim should be twofold : To work out the particularities as well as the divergences of individual legal cultures in Europe, and to attempt at relating European and non-European legal cultures by means of historical comparison.

Challenges in Nuclear Posture and Deterrence from India’s Perspective

South Asia comprises eight countries, among which India and Pakistan are two nuclear weapon powers marked by strained relations. Within this dynamic, this essay examines India’s nuclear path, in spite of its staunch support for a nuclear-weapon-free world. It covers Pakistan’s nuclear journey through proliferation and the logic for it to perpetrate state-sponsored terrorism against India, arguing that this serves as a major factor that could lead to war. Despite this potential, it also explains why South Asia is not the most dangerous nuclear flashpoint in the world. In addition to India and Pakistan, five other nuclear nations are present in the region, namely China, Russia, Israel, North Korea and the United States. As such, this essay discusses positive and negative effects of each of these powers on nuclear dynamics of the region. It concludes with recommendations for fostering strategic stability in South Asia.

The Institutionalisation of Political Science in ECE: The Grounding of Theory

The chapter aims to establish a theoretical framework regarding the institutionalisation of political science as an academic discipline, by building on the experiences of 16 selected countries. Whether a discipline is institutionalised revolves around three issues: the process, that is, how institutionalisation develops; the outcome, that is, which properties appear indispensable; and what contextual factors matter most in influencing either process or property. Based on a critical review of the literature, the properties of stability, identity, autonomy, reproduction and legitimacy have been defined. These embody a well-institutionalised science: one that should have stable existential patterns, a clear academic profile; one that should be able to independently define its own rules and norms while getting external agents to accept them, and be able to ensure its own reproduction and to maintain a legitimate position. The chapter also examines the specificities in the latecomer political science communities’ institutionalisation patterns. Formation conditions, potential starting points, stability concerns and the issue of ‘regionality’ are specifically considered. As the institutionalisation tasks had to be dealt with in a ‘compressed period of time’ academia here faced the free world of opportunities and adjustment requirements at one and the same time.

The Transformation of the Idea of Internet Freedom in the XXIst Century

The article analyzes the theoretical approaches that have developed in relation to the issues of control and freedom of the Internet space, including copyright regulation and its gradual transformation as the digital environment develops and changes. Special attention is given to the values underpinning the principles of regulation are determined. If initially the dominant notion was that the Internet would ensure humanity a new free world, then later the discourse shifted to much less optimistic views and topics the issue of network regulation, technical and legal restrictions, censorship and data protection. Most recent academic literature is devoted to the practical side of the issue, and the issue of values has faded into the background. As a result, the discussion has lost significant context: issues of freedom and human rights in the Internet environment, discussion of what is really important for society - security or the absence of restrictions, the problem of users trust in the state and platforms.

The Elements of the China Challenge: Reading the Trump Administration’s China Policy Testament

Between 2017 and 2021 Donald Trump’s administration published over a dozen strategic documents on China among which The Elements of the China Challenge seems to stand out as it outlines a longer perspective and sketches a wider framework for US policy towards China. This paper attempts to examine the major assumptions of The Elements, arguing that by putting forward an anti-imperialist rhetoric, the American policy-makers want to emphasize the systemic differences with China, the importance of which have long been underplayed by Western policy-makers who have given precedence to economic considerations. However, the analysis also gives weight to the argument that the strong ideological appeal in The Elements is also intended to mobilize the American allies, anchor them to the leader of the “free world,” and reduce their tendencies to cooperate with China, including in 5G technology as in the case of Central and Eastern Europe.

COVID19 – Far from Over: Call for Urgent Novel and Advanced Measures

: The COVID19 pandemic that started in late 2019 has already killed millions of people, it is yet far from over and the road to the COVID-free world is much tougher than we all imagined; however, it ends at a vaccine functional against all coronaviruses. In this article, we try to present the aetiology behind evolution of superior pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 and point out fundamental and highly hazardous loopholes in the current vaccination regimens and propose new vaccination strategies. We also suggest societal and personal level management that are necessary to ensure prevention and better recovery outcomes until the arrival of the vaccine. In turn, we apprise the physician for long-term and stringent management of certain chronic diseases, avoiding prescribing certain drugs and suggesting physical exercises and diets that are fortified with specific micronutrients.