Verkiezingen zijn het democratische moment bij uitstek. Maar wat nu als een meerderheid stemt voor het afschaffen van de democratie? Is dat nog democratisch? Moet een democratie tolereren dat... Show moreVerkiezingen zijn het democratische moment bij uitstek. Maar wat nu als een meerderheid stemt voor het afschaffen van de democratie? Is dat nog democratisch? Moet een democratie tolereren dat antidemocraten streven naar haar afschaffing? In Weimar-Duitsland (1919-1933) was de gedachte: ja, dat moet een democratie toestaan; een democratie is waardeneutraal. Het maakte de quasi-legale afschaffing van de democratie mogelijk. Democratische zelfdestructie, en de dreiging die daarvan uitgaat, zien we echter van het vroege Athene tot het hedendaagse Turkije. Democratie lijkt de ingrediënten voor haar eigen afschaffing in zich te dragen – de vraag is: wat mag je en wat kun je daar tegen doen? Dit proefschrift behandelt een existentiële vraag voor elke democratie: hoe ver reikt tolerantie? Tegen de achtergrond van historische en actuele voorbeelden worden de denkers besproken die zich over deze fundamentele kwestie hebben gebogen. Het proefschrift biedt daarmee een nieuw perspectief op democratie, een pleidooi voor democratie als zelfcorrectie en een rechtvaardiging voor democratische zelfverdediging. Show less
This dissertation explores the relationship among creditors in sovereign debt restructuring and specifically focuses on the issue of inter-creditor equity. It consists of five ar ticles focusing... Show moreThis dissertation explores the relationship among creditors in sovereign debt restructuring and specifically focuses on the issue of inter-creditor equity. It consists of five ar ticles focusing on the core issues regarding inter-creditor equity in the context of domestic insolvency law. It is largely inspired by international developments on the legal reform and practice of sovereign debt restructuring in the past three years. Overall, this disser tation argues that a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring should not take the form of a collective proceeding and should not include debt claims with all types of maturities. In the context of a cram-down, a safeguard procedure should be put in place to ensure that any amendment of the contract terms imposed by majority bondholders is fair and equitable with respect to minority bondholders who have voted against the amendment. Arbitral tr ibunals established pursuant to international investment treaties could serve as an appropriate forum to develop such a safeguard provision. A new arbitral tribunal, preferably modelled after the tribunal concerning the Bank for International Settlements, could apply the safeguard provision once developed, because not all Show less
Er zijn vijf modellen voor de relatie tussen staat en religie. Deze zijn: 1) Politieke atheïsme; 2) Politieke agnosticisme; 3) Multiculturalisme; 4) Staatskerk en 5) Theocratie. Het model van het... Show moreEr zijn vijf modellen voor de relatie tussen staat en religie. Deze zijn: 1) Politieke atheïsme; 2) Politieke agnosticisme; 3) Multiculturalisme; 4) Staatskerk en 5) Theocratie. Het model van het politieke agnosticisme staat voor de behandeling van - of negeren van - alle religies en niet-religies op gelijke voet: de staat neemt uit principe geen standpunt in vóór of tegen religie en (on)gelovigen. Multiculturalisme, daarentegen, richt zich op een positieve behandeling van minderheden. Het proefschrift richt zich op het tweede model, multiculturalisme, en op het vijfde model, theocratie. De onderzoeksvraag is: wat zijn de implicaties van de politieke ideologieën van het multiculturalisme en Islamitisch fundamentalisme? En, meer in het bijzonder, wat is de verhouding tussen deze ideologieën als het gaat om het debat over de legitimiteit van Shariaraden in het Verenigd Koninkrijk? Show less
The central question in this book is whether there is a human right to family unification. This book identifies the key elements of the right to family unification. By investigating different... Show moreThe central question in this book is whether there is a human right to family unification. This book identifies the key elements of the right to family unification. By investigating different sources of international, European and domestic law, it assesses whether and how the different legal systems involved affect each other in shaping the right to family unification. By identifying the key elements of the right to family unification, the book can be an important source for immigration lawyers, policy makers and scholars. Show less
This study offers an overview of the challenges occurring in the emerging regime of international criminal justice as a tool of sustainable peace. It illustrates the impact of such regime in... Show moreThis study offers an overview of the challenges occurring in the emerging regime of international criminal justice as a tool of sustainable peace. It illustrates the impact of such regime in international law and international relations focusing on the obstacles and concerns of its governance in the context of the maintenance and restoration of international peace and security. It advocates for an appropriate interaction strategy between the United Nations and the Rome Statute institutions as a matter of international mutual concern and for the sake of human security. Show less
In het erfrecht is het legaat een belangrijke en veel gemaakte uiterste wilsbeschikking. Veelal dient het legaat een zuiver civielrechtelijk doel: het doen toekomen van een bepaald goed of een... Show moreIn het erfrecht is het legaat een belangrijke en veel gemaakte uiterste wilsbeschikking. Veelal dient het legaat een zuiver civielrechtelijk doel: het doen toekomen van een bepaald goed of een geldbedrag aan een bepaalde persoon. Het legaat leent zich echter bij uitstek ook voor het creëren van allerlei fiscaal ingegeven structuren. Dit onderzoek richt zich op het legaat en de wisselwerking tussen het civiele en het fiscale recht. Beoogd wordt om de kracht van het onderzoek te laten schuilen in de synthese van de civielrechtelijke en de successierechtelijke benadering van vragen rondom het legaat. Een van de centrale onderzoeksvragen is wat onder het regime van de per 1 januari 2010 vernieuwde Successiewet 1956 nog de betekenis is van allerlei in de fiscaal-notariële praktijk gehanteerde structuren waarbij het legaat een rol speelt. Hieraan wordt de vraag gekoppeld of deze toepassingen wenselijk zijn, en – zo neen – op welke wijze de wetgever hiertegen kan optreden of reeds is opgetreden. Tevens is onderzocht of de wetgever in de Successiewet met het bestrijden van (in zijn ogen) onwenselijke structuren niet is doorgeschoten en zijn er aanbevelingen aan de wetgever gedaan. Show less
Long-term trends, such as the aging of the population, the increased life-expectancy, and the consequences of the recent financial crisis, have raised concerns about the sustainability of pension... Show moreLong-term trends, such as the aging of the population, the increased life-expectancy, and the consequences of the recent financial crisis, have raised concerns about the sustainability of pension systems. Consequently, many OECD countries have proposed and implemented reforms to alleviate the pension system from the pressure of demographic aging and to create sustainable pension systems for the future. Many of the reforms implemented are related to increasing both the statutory and effective retirement age, making pension benefits less generous and increasing contributions. As a consequence, the proposed and implemented reforms have raised a lot of discussion about the financial position of current and future retirees. This thesis collects five studies regarding Pensions, Retirement, and the Financial Position of the Elderly and aims to understand the effects of aging on people’s retirement behavior and the adequacy of their (future) pensions. The thesis focuses on the role of selfemployment and part-time employment in retirement behavior and the financial resources available at retirement. Show less
Over the past few decades, most OECD countries witnessed a widening of the income distribution. This doctoral thesis collects five studies that provide insight into determinants and political and... Show moreOver the past few decades, most OECD countries witnessed a widening of the income distribution. This doctoral thesis collects five studies that provide insight into determinants and political and economic consequences of income inequality and social policy development in affluent countries. The empirical evidence presented in the first study suggests that the decrease of trade union influence is linked to higher levels of earnings inequality within sectors. The second study focuses on trade competition with China, which is associated with a decrease in wage and employment shares for low-skilled workers in manufacturing sectors in OECD countries. The third study finds no robust associations between economic growth and generic measures of income inequality and redistribution. The findings in the fourth study indicate that individuals exposed to increased job risk resulting from technological change prefer higher levels of redistribution. Based on a comparison of short-term social policies to cope with the recession in 2008 and 2009, the last study concludes that welfare states adopt social and unemployment reactive policies that mirror their institutional legacies. Show less
De schuldenproblematiek in Nederland is nog steeds groeiende. De impact op de schuldenaar, maar ook op de samenleving, is groot. Financiële problemen zijn voor een groot deel een gedragsvraagstuk.... Show moreDe schuldenproblematiek in Nederland is nog steeds groeiende. De impact op de schuldenaar, maar ook op de samenleving, is groot. Financiële problemen zijn voor een groot deel een gedragsvraagstuk. In deze dissertatie staat het gedrag van de groep consumenten met een financiële achterstand centraal. Uit de analyses blijkt dat het niet één specifieke gedraging is die leidt tot financiële problemen, maar een combinatie van verschillende gedragingen die het risico op financiële problemen vergroten. Zo spelen niet bijhouden van de administratie, post en niet vooruit plannen een rol. Analyses naar de oorzaken van deze gedragingen laten bovendien zien dat er verschillende factoren en processen zijn die samenhang vertonen met het financiële gedrag. Onder meer de rol van self-efficacy, self-control en sociale steun, is onderzocht en blijken een samenhang te hebben. Financiële problemen kennen een eigen dynamiek. Eenmaal geconfronteerd met financiële problemen, verandert het gedrag van de consument. Deze verandering wordt deels veroorzaakt, doordat hij zich moet aanpassen en bijvoorbeeld meer gaat bezuinigen. Maar de verandering van gedrag is ook het gevolg van processen zoals schaarste en een veranderende houding ten opzichte van schulden. Show less
This book presents the results of a research about the Islamic courts of Cianjur in West Java, and Bulukumba in South Sulawesi and the role they play in local divorce practices. It addresses... Show moreThis book presents the results of a research about the Islamic courts of Cianjur in West Java, and Bulukumba in South Sulawesi and the role they play in local divorce practices. It addresses questions which not only enhance our understanding of how Islamic courts in Indonesia work, but also of how Islamic courts through their everyday adjudication processes have the potential to transform societal norms based in national family law, Islamic law and customary law. What is the history of the Islamic courts in both districts and what are its consequences for their position in the local community? What role do the Islamic courts play in protecting women’s divorce rights? How do they perform with regard to spousal support, child support and marital property and why? How do the Islamic courts treat women’s and men’s claims? How has Indonesian family law for Muslims developed and what is the role of the Islamic courts in this development? How are Islamic courts positioned in Indonesia’s nation-building project? This book attempts to provide answers to those questions by exploring the Islamic courts’ institutional history in both districts, the development of the substantive law they apply, and the socio-cultural and economic aspects of divorce. Show less
International law and state practice mirrors the recognition of children’s particular need for protection during peacetime but also in situations in which international crimes are being committed,... Show moreInternational law and state practice mirrors the recognition of children’s particular need for protection during peacetime but also in situations in which international crimes are being committed, the prosecution of international crimes committed against children before international courts and tribunals is well embedded. While international prosecutions are thus in line with the overall development of protecting children from the consequences of armed conflict and large scale violence, the involvement of the child in international criminal proceedings also gives rise to new questions which relate to the procedural involvement of the child. As child participation in the proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) constitutes a matter of fact, one may raise the question whether such participation is a welcome development. This study examines the procedural implications of child participation and thereby intents to contribute legal views and perspectives to the underlying debate on the adequacy of child participation in ICC proceedings. Show less
The ECtHR needs to provide effective rights protection, but it also needs to set clear standards while showing deference to decisions made at the national level. Especially when socio-economic... Show moreThe ECtHR needs to provide effective rights protection, but it also needs to set clear standards while showing deference to decisions made at the national level. Especially when socio-economic issues are concerned, meeting these different demands is a challenging task. The thesis explores the possible use and added value of the notion of ‘core rights’ for the reasoning of the ECtHR in socio-economic cases. By means of a comparative study of the German Wesensgehaltsgarantie, the minimum core obligations related to the ICESCR, and the debate on the use of core rights for the protection of socio-economic rights under the South African Constitution, insights are gained on the possibilities and pitfalls inherent in this idea. On the basis thereof, a ‘core rights perspective’ is outlined that is tailored to the protection of socio-economic interests by the ECtHR. It is argued that this perspective allows the ECtHR to develop a principled approach to (positive) socio-economic claims that is characterised by a clear demarcation of the scope of the Convention and a focus on minimum guarantees. In this way the core rights perspective may help the ECtHR in leaving the necessary room for national laws and policies while ensuring robust socio-economic protection. Show less
The book sets out an analysis of how the law is used as a means to remove decision-making rights from people with mental health issues and people with intellectual disabilities. It explains how... Show moreThe book sets out an analysis of how the law is used as a means to remove decision-making rights from people with mental health issues and people with intellectual disabilities. It explains how international law can be used to repatriate these rights. Show less
Do Member States of the EU have a free hand in drafting Accession Treaties, or are there legal constraints on their primary law making function in this context? That is the central question this... Show moreDo Member States of the EU have a free hand in drafting Accession Treaties, or are there legal constraints on their primary law making function in this context? That is the central question this thesis addresses. It argues that such constraints do exist, and tries to identify them, thereby hoping to provide some insight into the nature of the EU legal order. The point of departure as well as the main focus of the study is the proposed permanent safeguard clause (PSC) on free movement of persons in the Negotiating Framework for Turkey. It is with reference to the PSC that legal provisions, rules, principles and norms that might constrain Member States as primary law makers in the context of accession are identified. The thesis examines constraints on Member States flowing from three levels: the pre-accession level, that is the existing legal framework around the EEC-Turkey Association Agreement (Part I); the accession process level, which is comprised of past practice and existing EU rules on enlargement (Part II); last but not least, the constitutional foundations of the Union (Part III), which constrain Member States whenever they act within the scope of Union law both as primary and secondary law makers. Show less
The thesis examines the state practice of India and analyses how it has contributed to the development of international law. These areas are: history of international law, law of the sea, human... Show moreThe thesis examines the state practice of India and analyses how it has contributed to the development of international law. These areas are: history of international law, law of the sea, human rights, humanitarian law, chemical weapons convention, UN reforms, environmental law, climate change, International Court of Justice. The thesis proves that state practice of India is similar to the state practice of a hegemonic power and India will use more and more international law to promote its national interests and rightful place in the international society of states. Summary conclusions: Distinct Approach of Judiciary and Executive to International Law; Post-Independence Practice of India: A Rising Power Approach to International Law; Use and Effectiveness of the Proactive versus Reactive Approaches to Ensure Desired Outcomes; India will continue to avoid the ICJ as a means of dispute settlement; Patience and Persistence: Virtues of Statecraft in the UN Reforms; Permanent Membership of the Security Council: Success Chances are Stronger than Ever Before; Law of the Sea: Reflection of a Growing Hegemonic Power; India will continue to shape and implement the international law of human rights in its own way and pace; International Environmental Law: Tension will continue between the Executive and Judiciary; Show less
Dit onderzoek naar ontbindende en opschortende voorwaarden in het algemene vermogensrecht is met name gericht op de onderliggende systematiek van de figuur van de voorwaarde. Daarvoor is onderzoek... Show moreDit onderzoek naar ontbindende en opschortende voorwaarden in het algemene vermogensrecht is met name gericht op de onderliggende systematiek van de figuur van de voorwaarde. Daarvoor is onderzoek gedaan naar de voorwaarde in het huidige Nederlandse recht, het recht onder het oud BW alsmede het Duitse en Zwitserse recht. In dat verband is de figuur van de voorwaarde in de volle breedte onderzocht. Het onderzoek heeft derhalve betrekking op onderling sterk uiteenlopende aspecten van de voorwaarde, waarbij tevens de dwarsverbanden tussen deze deelaspecten zijn onderzocht. Show less
Over the last decades, income inequality has increased globally. How do social policies affect this increasing trend? How do international trade and technological progress affect inequality? What... Show moreOver the last decades, income inequality has increased globally. How do social policies affect this increasing trend? How do international trade and technological progress affect inequality? What is the profile of income inequality in China? Based on quantitative analyses of determinants of income inequality, this study provides a number of new insights into these questions. Income inequality has increased in the last decades all over the world. Several factors seem to contribute to this trend. Very prominent amongst them is the rising primary income inequality. The dominant income inequality-reducing effect comes from the tax benefit system, which offsets two thirds of the total increase in inequality. Generally speaking, the transition of welfare states from a traditional to a social investment oriented system does not lead to lower income inequality or poverty. There is also no robust and significant relationship between international trade and technology changes on the one hand, and income inequality on the other. Determinants of inequality in China are different from those in developed countries. In contrast to the tax benefit system in rich countries, the fiscal system in China does not bring a lower level of income inequality. Another explanation is the household registration system. Show less
