Law Commons^™

Danish Wind Energy Innovation, Kyle S. Herman

Dr. Kyle S. Herman

This article compares the exceptional Danish wind energy innovation system with the system employed by the US government. The underlying assumption about innovation systems in the US is that they are technologically driven, and past technological advances can be built upon leading to break-through innovations. However in Denmark, innovation was driven from citizens and relied on no break-through technologies, but rather a piecemeal process of collective, smaller innovations. For wind energy, this process was far more successful than the technologically driven innovation system in the US.

Os Perigosos Sábios Do Sião I, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Julga-se o grau de civilização de um país pelo relevo que nele têm os preconceitos enraízados, essas pseudo-verdades que não se discutem. Falta em espírito crítico o que sobra em demagogia. Estamos a assistir nalguns pontos da Europa, e mesmo em Portugal (onde os nossos brandos costumes e convivência ancestrais também convivem com um inconsciente coletivo de inquisição e polícia política), a um crescendo na criação de bodes expiatórios, que é uma das formas clássicas de fuga aos problemas sociais e económicos crescentes (a outra é a guerra: ainda aí não chegamos...). Descarregar a culpa sobre "os suspeitos do costume" …

Implementing Dodd-Frank: A Review Of The Cftc‟S Rulemaking Process: Testimony, Michael Greenberger

Michael Greenberger

The Relationship of Unregulated OTC Derivatives to the Meltdown. It is now accepted wisdom that it was the non-transparent, poorly capitalized, and almost wholly unregulated over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives market that lit the fuse that exploded the highly vulnerable worldwide economy in the fall of 2008. Because tens of trillions of dollars of these financial products were pegged to the economic performance of an overheated and highly inflated housing market, the sudden collapse of that market triggered under-capitalized or non-capitalized OTC derivative guarantees of the subprime housing investments. Moreover, the many undercapitalized insurers of that collapsing market had other multi-trillion dollar …

Direct (Anti-)Democracy, Maxwell L. Stearns

Maxwell L. Stearns

Legal scholars, economists, and political scientists are divided on whether voter initiatives and legislative referendums tend to produce outcomes that are more (or less) majoritarian, efficient, or solicitous of minority concerns than traditional legislation. Scholars also embrace opposing views on which law-making mechanism better promotes citizen engagement, registers preference intensities, encourages compromise, and prevents outcomes masking cycling voter preferences. Despite these disagreements, commentators generally assume that the voting mechanism itself renders plebiscites more democratic than legislative lawmaking. This assumption is mistaken. Although it might seem unimaginable that a lawmaking process that directly engages voters possesses fundamentally antidemocratic features, this Article …

A People's History Of Baseball, Mitchell J. Nathanson

Mitchell J Nathanson

Baseball is much more than the national pastime. It has become an emblem of America itself. From its initial popularity in the mid-nineteenth century, the game has reflected national values and beliefs and promoted what it means to be an American. Stories abound that illustrate baseball's significance in eradicating racial barriers, bringing neighborhoods together, building civic pride, and creating on the field of play an instructive civics lesson for immigrants on the national character. In A People's History of Baseball, Mitchell Nathanson probes the less well-known but no less meaningful other side of baseball: episodes not involving equality, patriotism, heroism, …

A Legal Backgrounder On By-Elections, Jack Tsen-Ta Lee

Jack Tsen-Ta LEE

The expulsion of Yaw Shin Leong, the Member of Parliament for Hougang Single Member Constituency, from the Workers’ Party has once again thrust the issue of the Singapore Government’s policy on by-elections into the limelight. This opinion piece considers whether the Government is right in taking the view that it has wide discretion to determine when, and if, to hold a by-election; and the possible consequences of an existing Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) standing as a candidate in a by-election.

Rousseau, A Constituição De Cádis E A Renacença Portuguesa, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Todos os anos há muita coisa a comemorar. Comemoramos o que nos diz respeito, o que acarinhamos. Tal como os países consideram feriados os dias que mais dizem às forças políticas que em cada momento mandam. Comemorar Rousseau, a Constituição de Cádis e a Renascença Portuguesa parecem-nos a nós 3 celebrações importantes, no plano universal e europeu, ibero-americano e português. Não é serviço fúnebre, mas olhar de Janus, em que, contemplando o passado, se encara com nova face o futuro. Refletindo. Este ano são os centenários que vou pessoalmente comemorar, e ajudar a comemorar em conjunto. A menos que tenha …

Programa Mínimo Para A Democracia, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Muitos consideram já que a situação que se vive não é mais de Democracia. É um veredicto perigoso e grave. Mas deve ser considerado. Independentemente dele, porém, é preciso pensar e repensar a Democracia. Pessoalmente, pensamos que ela tem, em Portugal, uma excelente base consensual: a Constituição. E não é por acaso que verdadeiros inimigos de uma Democracia plena (política, cultural, social, ecológica...) são inimigos da Constituição. É sempre salutar discutir a Democracia. É sinónimo dela... Ou que, na sua falta, há quem com ela se preocupe. Contudo, mais que isso nos parece urgente defendê-la. E o programa mínimo de …

A Flecha De Nemrod, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Reflexões sobre o impulso criativo e comunicacional e sobre a dificuldade técnica ou de expressão, assim como a propósito da in-compreensão da crítica, e do público, quando os haja.

Oportunidades De Desarrollo Productivo De La Población De Afectación Prioritaria En La Operación Estratégica Fontibón – Aeropuerto Eldorado – Engativá, Iván A. Rojas V

Iván Rojas V

The book analyzes the case of Operation Strategic Fontibón - Eldorado Airport - Engativa (OEFAE) and the implications on the urban economy of the city and potential opportunities for productive development for the population affected by the project in 2010 in Bogotá DC. El libro analiza el caso de la Operación Estrategica Fontibón - Aeropuerto ElDorado - Engativa (OEFAE) y las implicaciones sobre la economía urbana de la ciudad y las posibles oportunidades de desarrollo productivo para la población afectada por el proyecto en el 2010 en la ciudad de Bogotá DC.

Clima Anticonstitucional, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

É complicado defender-se intransigentemente a ética republicana e apontar o dedo a quem a evidentemente despreze, e, ao mesmo tempo, conseguir deixar intocado o prestígio das instituições, sempre mais ou menos atingidas pela repercussão de atos de titulares de cargos eventualmente menos retos. É contudo o que deve fazer-se, mas pedagogicamente explicitando a diferença entre o ser e o dever-ser. Entre a pessoa e a instituição, etc., etc. Uma das grandes virtualidades de um regime democrático é que podem vir mais facilmente à luz do dia os erros e os crimes de políticos. E podem ser criticados e punidos. Por …

Proibição Do Retrocesso E Reserva Do Possível: Princípios Constitucionais Para Tempos De Crise, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Os princípios constitucionais mais susceptíveis de ser invocados em tempos de crise (quando se presta atenção à Constituição), o da proibição do retrocesso e o da reserva do possível, precisam de ser repensados. Não atirados um contra o outro, e defendidos, ora um ora outro, ao sabor de paixões, mas compreendidos ambos como concorrendo para a defesa da Constituição em situações limite. Certamente há algo maior por detrás desses dois princípios aparentemente contraditórios.

Inconstitucionalidade Do Orçamento Do Estado. A Caminho De Uma "Constituição" Flexível Infralegal?, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Não é salutar a banalização da afirmação mediática de inconstitucionalidades e de anti-constitucionalidades. Assim como não é sintoma de regular funcionamento das instituições democráticas o silêncio e o desprezo pela Constituição. A questão da constitucionalidade do OGE pode ser um teste muito significativo à nossa saúde e cultura constitucionais.

Two Cheers For Instant Runoff Voting, Michael Lewyn

Michael E Lewyn

"Instant runoff voting" (IRV) is a system that allows voters to rank their choices in a multicandidate election. Thus, the second-choice voters of less successful candidates are redistributed to the front-runners. The purpose of this system is to prevent candidates opposed by a majority of voters from winning. For example, if candidates A and B each have 40 percent of the vote and candidate C has 20 percent, the front-runner supported by the majority of C's supporters is the true "majority choice" and will win under IRV. The purpose of this article is to critically examine the arguments for and …

Draconian Discrimination: One Man's Battle With U.S. Immigration Law For Fairness, Justice, And American Citizenship, Rachel C. Zoghlin

Rachel Claire Zoghlin

“I was born into my father’s arms,” David responded emphatically when I asked him about his relationship with his mother. David’s father, Ronald, has been his teacher, his guardian, his provider, and his support for his entire life. He taught David to be strong and gentle, proud and humble. David inherited Ronald’s kind eyes, his honest nature, his palpable presence, and his immovable strength. The first, last, and only time David met his mother was on January 23, 1965 – the day he was born. Ronald raised two children, David and his sister Roxanne, as a single parent.

When David …

Natural Rights To Welfare, Siegfried Van Duffel

Siegfried Van Duffel

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Capital And Its Discontents: Conversations With Radical Thinkers In A Time Of Tumult By Sasha Lilly (Pm Press, 2011), Nick J. Sciullo

Nick J. Sciullo

No abstract provided.

Judicial Non-Compliance In A Non-Hierarchical Legal Order: Isolated Accident Or Omen Of Judicial Armageddon?, Arthur Dyevre

Arthur Dyevre

In a multi-level, non-hierarchical court system, where courts at the upper echelon do not have the power to reverse the decisions of courts at the lower level, judicial cooperation appears crucial to the effectiveness of the higher-level law. For this reason, the recent judgment of the Czech Constitutional Court, which declared the decision of the Court of Justice in the Landtová case ultra vires, would seem to deal a terrible blow to the authority of European Union law. As doomsayers will be quick to point out, the Czech decision could set a dangerous precedent that may well one day bring …

Citizens United And The Ineluctable Question Of Corporate Citizenship, Amy Sepinwall

Amy J. Sepinwall

As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United, corporations and individuals now enjoy the same rights to spend money on ads supporting or opposing candidates for office. Those concerned about the role of money in politics have much to decry about the decision. But the threat to democracy posed by allowing wealthy corporations to function as political speakers arises as well under a regime that allows wealthy individuals to do so. If we are not prepared to limit individuals’ expenditures on political speech, we will have to find a way to distinguish individuals’ and corporations’ free speech …

Rights Adjudication And Constitutional Pluralism In Germany And Europe, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

Constitutional Courts, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

Neofunctionalism And Supranational Governance (Unabridged Version), Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

The European Court Of Justice, State Non-Compliance, And The Politics Of Override, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

A Cosmopolitan Legal Order: Constitutional Pluralism And Rights Adjudication In Europe, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

Regional Integration And The Evolution Of The European Polity: On The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Journal Of Common Market Studies, Alec Stone Sweet

Alec Stone Sweet

No abstract provided.

Law Without The State: Legal Attributes And The Coordination Of Decentralized Collective Punishment, Gillian K. Hadfield, Barry R. Weingast

Gillian K Hadfield

Most economic and positive political theory presumes the existence of an effective legal regime (protecting property rights or implementing legislative or judicial choices, for example). Yet social science has devoted little systematic attention to the question of what constitutes distinctively legal order. Most social scientists take for granted that law is defined by the presence of a centralized authority capable of exacting coercive penalties for violations of legal rules. Moreover, the existing approach to analyzing law in economics and positive political theory works with a very thin concept of law, one that does not account for the distinctive attributes of …

Rational Reasonableness: Toward A Positive Theory Of Public Reason, Gillian K. Hadfield, Stephen Macedo

Gillian K Hadfield

Why is it important for people to agree on and articulate shared reasons for just laws, rather than whatever reasons they personally find compelling? What, if any, practical role does public reason play in liberal democratic politics? We argue that the practical role of public reason can be better appreciated by examining the structural similarities in normative and positive political theory. Specifically, we consider the analytical parallels between Rawls’ account of political liberalism and a rational choice model of legal order recently proposed by Hadfield & Weingast (2011). The positive model proposes that a shared system of reasoning—a common logic—plays …

What Is Law? A Coordination Model Of The Characteristics Of Legal Order, Gillian K. Hadfield, Barry R. Weingast

Gillian K Hadfield

Legal philosophers have long debated the question, what is law? But few in social science have attempted to explain the phenomenon of legal order. In this article, we build a rational choice model of legal order in an environment that relies exclusively on decentralized enforcement, such as we find in human societies prior to the emergence of the nation state and inmanymodern settings.Wedemonstrate thatwecan support an equilibrium in which wrongful behavior is effectively deterred by exclusively decentralized enforcement, specifically collective punishment. Equilibrium is achieved by an institution that supplies a common logic for classifying behavior as wrongful or not. We …

Repensar A Teoria Do Estado Entre Pluralismo Ético E Globalização, Paulo Ferreira Da Cunha

Paulo Ferreira da Cunha

Não pode deixar de haver uma relação entre Estado e valores. Sem alguns valores partilhados, o Estado tem dificuldades. Há sempre, de um modo ou de outro, uma Ética no Estado. Ou várias. Como lidar com as éticas e as morais em sociedades pluralista como as nossas? Esta dificuldade obriga-nos também a repensar o próprio Estado, também desafiado por tempos de globalização. Foram estas algumas das interrogações que desejamos colocar neste estudo, elaborado para corresponder ao honroso convite para colaborar no portentoso volume que homenageia o grande constitucionalista brasileiro, e Vice-Presidente da República Federativa do Brasil, Prof. Michel Temer.

Law And Identity, Sarah Marusek

Sarah Marusek, Ph.D

No abstract provided.