The Definition of Sovereign: Comparative Analysis of J. Austin's and C. Schmitt's Concepts

The purpose of this research article is to compare the concepts of John Austin and Carl Schmitt on the definition of sovereign - finding the similarities and differences between them. The article analyzes the constitutional law of such states as the Russian Federation and the Vatican City State as a practical application of the results of comparing the concepts of determining the sovereign. In the analysis of the constitutional law of the Russian Federation, the results of the study of the concept of John Austin are used, and in the analysis of the constitutional law of the Vatican City State, the results of the study of the concept of Carl Schmitt are used. The subject of research, the definition of sovereign, is one of the most important topics of Theory of State and Law, therefore, everything stated in the article contributes to the development of understanding of statehood and legal systems and opens new opportunities for study and discussion in the scientific world.

Italian Catacombs and Their Digital Presence for Underground Heritage Sustainability

The Italian catacombs represent one of the most interesting examples of the country’s underground built heritage. A strategic use of digital technologies can foster their sustainability by providing virtual access to local communities and tourists, as well as by transferring their value to future generations. Referring to a classification of the catacombs of Italy carried out by the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology of Vatican City, this paper analyzes the digital presence of this heritage within the contexts of social media, video sharing and navigation platforms in institutional and touristic areas. The emerging results show a good digital presence of this cultural heritage on these platforms. At the same time, they reflect an almost total absence of 3D technologies, virtual reconstructions or augmented reality. Only 2 out of 63 catacombs analyzed offer a photographic overview of the sites through the online Google Art and Culture platform, but this is only a small example of what a virtual visit would offer. The following work is based on this notion, as it aims to demonstrate that this type of underground built heritage still has great potential for the valorization and sustainability of these sites through the use of digital technologies. The use of virtual and augmented reality, enhanced by immersive storytelling, would limit the physical wear and tear on the site, making its conservation sustainable in the long term.

Seeing

This chapter recounts an experience of the author’s family taking a summer trip to Italy, approximately eight months after his diagnosis, and the many questions and struggles he experienced related to having Parkinson’s disease. He recalls an experience of existential angst and spiritual questioning while in Vatican City and visiting St. Peter’s Square, and a subsequent experience of watching an older Italian man craft a beautiful decorative metal handrail working from the back of his small car, which encouraged the author. Through that man, the author saw that significant, even beautiful works can be created with rather modest resources. The chapter ends with the memory of his family happening upon an outdoor fashion show in Florence and his watching the lead designer drive up to the staging area and being helped out of his car and into a wheelchair by a woman (presumably his wife), which also encouraged him and showed that those with disabilities make significant contributions.