Our primary hypothesis will be that Izmir’s culture and political economy were purposefully manipulated by the Ottoman and European centers and their various representatives in their quest for... Show moreOur primary hypothesis will be that Izmir’s culture and political economy were purposefully manipulated by the Ottoman and European centers and their various representatives in their quest for dominance, but that these found themselves consistently resisted and thwarted by Izmir’s cultural and institutional dynamic. We will posit that this distinctly crosscultural urban culture had its own political economy, with its own logic and trajectory. From this primary hypothesis immediately follows another – which holds that the image of Izmir as a segregated and administratively neglected ‘city’ was a façade. Willfully constructed by the Ottoman and European centers and their local representatives, it was maintained to hide from view a world of crosscultural compromise and mutual dependencies. This hidden ‘middle ground’ and the urban culture it fostered, differed significantly enough from that in other Ottoman places of crosscultural trade to effectively constitute a distinct urban culture Show less
The life of the German chemist-apothecary Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt (1773-1854) offers a fascinating window on Dutch culture and society in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. By... Show moreThe life of the German chemist-apothecary Caspar Georg Carl Reinwardt (1773-1854) offers a fascinating window on Dutch culture and society in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. By providing an in-depth analysis of his multi-faceted career in the Netherlands and the Malay Archipelago, this study sheds light on the co-evolutionary character of science, governance, and empire. It argues that the seeds of Reinwardt's professional flexibility lay in his practical training in one of Amsterdam's chemical workshops and his socialization in a broader cultural context where the improvement of society and economy played a crucial role Show less
History shows that NGOs activity in the international arena has grown steadily since the beginning of the 20th century, accelerating its pace after the enactment of the UN Charter, which admitted... Show moreHistory shows that NGOs activity in the international arena has grown steadily since the beginning of the 20th century, accelerating its pace after the enactment of the UN Charter, which admitted pluralism not only between States, but also beyond States, because it acknowledged that individuals could interact with the United Nations not only through governmental organizations but also through non-governmental organizations. In NGOs: legitimate subjects of International Law, Eduardo Szazi presents a methodical appraisal of the role of NGOs in the contemporary world, addressing their main characteristics under each of the sources of international law, as well some pressing questions about the legitimacy deficit of States and Intergovernmental Organizations in the 21st century Show less
Dr. Ruud Louw belicht de juridische kant van het hoger onderwijs om meer bekendheid te geven en meer inzicht te verschaffen in het hoger onderwijs aan de hand van de centrale vraag of de onderlinge... Show moreDr. Ruud Louw belicht de juridische kant van het hoger onderwijs om meer bekendheid te geven en meer inzicht te verschaffen in het hoger onderwijs aan de hand van de centrale vraag of de onderlinge bevoegdheidsverdeling van de overhead en instellingen voor hoger onderwijs binnen de constitutionele uitgangspunten van het Nederlands bestel nog wel adequaat is Kan de zelfstandigheid van die instellingen ten opzichte van de overheid worden vergroot zonder afbreuk te doen aan de verantwoordelijkheid van de overheid? Deze studie werd verricht in het kader van het facultaire onderzoeksprogramma Hervorming van sociale regelgeving. Show less
Het is het voorjaar van 1348. Pestepidemieën rukken op richting Vlaanderen en er is al langer sprake van maatschappelijke onrust. In deze roerige setting legde een kopiist de laatste hand aan zijn... Show moreHet is het voorjaar van 1348. Pestepidemieën rukken op richting Vlaanderen en er is al langer sprake van maatschappelijke onrust. In deze roerige setting legde een kopiist de laatste hand aan zijn boek. Hij had een hele prestatie geleverd: 618 bladzijden had hij volgeschreven met passages uit de Bijbel en andere geestelijke teksten in het Nederlands. Had hij ooit kunnen bevroeden dat zijn boek een van de schatkamers van de Middelnederlandse letterkunde zou worden? Het boek heeft de eeuwen goed doorstaan. Binnen de Bijzondere Collecties van de Bibliotheek van de Universiteit van Amsterdam behoort handschrift I G 41 tot de topstukken. Esther Jonker heeft dit intrigerende object, het Amsterdams Perikopenboek, onderworpen aan een integrale analyse. Zij bespreekt de letterkundige aspecten van een van de oudste prozahandschriften in het Nederlands, als ook de sociaal-culturele en religieuze achtergronden. Met een synthese van de uitkomsten van haar onderzoek werpt Jonker een nieuw licht op de context van de vroegste Nederlandse Bijbelteksten Show less
Starting with Weber’s disenchantment thesis, a sociological tradition has developed that associates modernity with a crisis of meaning. The de-mystification of our worldview and the decreasing... Show moreStarting with Weber’s disenchantment thesis, a sociological tradition has developed that associates modernity with a crisis of meaning. The de-mystification of our worldview and the decreasing influence of religious traditions in specific are seen as obstacles for making sense of human existence. But in fact, modern societies are full of meaning and they continue to be religious. This study shows that, in an implicit form, religion can be found everywhere in our culture. The Internet hype of the 1990s was a particularly effervescent example of implicit religiosity. The hopeful discourse about the Internet that typified this hype drew on religious ideas and language, and it inspired strong belief. This dissertation explores the appeal of the Internet as an object of faith and it looks at how it could serve as a source of meaning. Show less
In this dissertation it is argued that the concept of “literary intelligence” as used and developed by Frank Raymond Leavis and other members of his Scrutiny circle is a viable theoretical and... Show moreIn this dissertation it is argued that the concept of “literary intelligence” as used and developed by Frank Raymond Leavis and other members of his Scrutiny circle is a viable theoretical and educational notion and is long due a reappraisal. Their thesis that reading quality texts intelligently assists our personal and moral development is taken up and subjected to philosophical analysis. It is also argued that a theory of intellectual virtue is best suited for such a reappraisal. Literary intelligence is then found to be best interpreted as a form of Aristotelian practical intelligence. This interpretation allows us to theorize the moral salience of literary experiences. This theorization is achieved through an in-depth analysis of relevant articles written by Leavis, Harding and Bantock, assorted writings on the relationship between life and art as envisaged by a number of thinkers, as well as a sustained analysis of the theory of intellectual virtue. In particular, recourse is taken to the theory of intellectual virtue as drafted by American philosopher Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski. Consequently, a number of educational implications of the above theories are identified and commented upon. Also, it is shown that the above-mentioned theoretical insights fit in well with the consistent findings of research into reading. Finally it is argued that if the capacity to read well is best approached as a moral trait, then reading education cannot be legitimately conceptualized as one ‘competence’ among others. On the contrary: reading education ought to form the moral kernel of the curriculum. A sustained and socially sanctioned emphasis on the fostering of reading and the creation of a culture of literacy will widely expand the social, cultural and moral horizons of children and adults alike. Show less
Why does the state bureaucracy in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) appear to have been affected very little by the post-communist transformation when compared to other public institutions and... Show moreWhy does the state bureaucracy in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) appear to have been affected very little by the post-communist transformation when compared to other public institutions and sectors of the economy? Why have declared reforms of civil services failed so far to reach most of their objectives and even have had a counter-productive effect in some cases? On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the development of the Russian and Czech state administration over the last decade and a half the author provides a thorough insight into the causes of the prevailing tendencies in the administrative development of CEE countries and explores key factors that have led to more than modest results in the reforms of their civil services Show less
On New Year's Eve 2001, fourteen youngsters were killed and more than two hundred got injured by a fire in a bar in the municipality of Volendam in the Netherlands.After this tragic event, the... Show moreOn New Year's Eve 2001, fourteen youngsters were killed and more than two hundred got injured by a fire in a bar in the municipality of Volendam in the Netherlands.After this tragic event, the Dutch government intensified the administrative law enforcement of the fire safety regulation, especially in the catering industry. From an economic and social perspective important questions can be raised on this response to the 'Volendam disaster'.Are the costs and benefits of enforcement properly balanced? What effects on compliance can be expected from administrative law enforcement? Is private enforcement by liability claims of victims considered as an alternative? The main question of this thesis is:What is an effective and efficient enforcement policy for fire safety in the catering industry? In particular, this thesis discusses whether the use of informal, cooperative enforcement through warnings, persuasion and advice (a so called compliance strategy) is effective in inducing compliance with the fire safety regulation.The standard economic model of compliance and enforcement stresses the importance of immediately punishing individuals and firms for non-compliance (a deterrence strategy). In practice many administrative law enforcement officials do not impose the strict sanctions economists promote. Part I of this thesis analyzes the economic literature to discuss whether and when a compliance strategy can be beneficial. It discusses which enforcement method (private, administrative or criminal) is effective and efficient to enforce safety standards. Definite conclusions on the optimal enforcement policy can only be drawn by analyzing the actual data.Therefore, part II of this thesis analyzes which enforcement policy is effective and efficient for the case of fire safety in the catering industry in the Netherlands. Enforcement officials have been interviewed to examine the use of a compliance strategy.The benefits and costs of the enforcement efforts after the Volendam disaster are estimated to see whether these efforts have been a desirable investment. Also, the compensation of the victims of the Volendam disaster is investigated to analyze the incentive to take precautions. Finally, a simulation of different enforcement policies in a representative municipality examines which policy is efficient. This is a volume in the series of the E.M. Meijers Institute for Legal Research of the Faculty of Law at Leiden Show less
In our modern society we rely on information and communication technology for the spee, efficiency and security of many of our daily transactions and interactions. The use of these technologies... Show moreIn our modern society we rely on information and communication technology for the spee, efficiency and security of many of our daily transactions and interactions. The use of these technologies almost always entails the keeping of electronic records. These are of great interest to law enforcement and intelligence agencies since they can be used to profile and monitor (potential) suspects. While this can enhance the security of our society, it may also form a potential threat to privacy and (individual) liberty.Software agents are intelligent computer programs able to perform tasks without direct human supervision. As such, they have the potential to overcome the information overload. In this thesis the use of software agents for surveillance purposes is examined. The goal of the thesis is to determine wether the legal framework for the protection of privacy and liberty in both the Netherlands and the United States is still adequate in the light of agent-enabled surveillance. In particular, the thesis explores wether the right to privacy is still an adequate means of protecting (individual) liberty in a society where software agents are able to overcome the information overload. Show less
Better regulation in the European Union cannot be achieved without serious attention to transposition of EU law into national legislation. As a matter of fact, EU member states breach EU law -... Show moreBetter regulation in the European Union cannot be achieved without serious attention to transposition of EU law into national legislation. As a matter of fact, EU member states breach EU law - perpetuately. Why do member states miss deadlines when transposing EU internal market directives? What factors determine delays when transposing EU directives? How do these factors influence the timeliness of the national transposition processes? And under what conditions are transpositions of directives delayed? This study analyses the timeliness of national transposition processes across nine member states of the 2004 EU transport acquis. Based on a truly mixed-method approach - a new quantitative data set with further insights gleaned from four controlled case studies and a concluding fuzzy set analysis - this study shows that the European Union has a serious transposition problem. Almost 70 percent of all national legal measures transposing the transport acquis cause problems, either because they are transposed too late, risking the opening of an infringement proceeding, or because they are too early (gold-plating), risking warping effects on the regulatory environment for business and citizens in the EU alike. Furthermore, this book provides some progress regarding the conditions under which transposition performance of member states could be improved. Seven potential European and national drivers and constrainers for timely transposition can be identified with different effects on the lengths of transposition delays. Distinguishing between three outcomes of transposition process (on time, short and long delay) it is the specific features of European directives that account for short term delays, whereas serious time lags of more than six months are a result of domestic factors. Furthermore, the timing of general elections in a member state and policy sector-related crises retard or rather accelerate national transposition processes just as political priority represents a significant necessary condition for timeliness. This is a volume in the series of the E.M. Meijers Institute of Legal Studies of Leiden University. This publication has been realized within the 'Analyzing EU Policies: The Transposition of Directives' research program of the Department of Public Administration at the Leiden Faculty of Social Sciences and is closely linked to the Law Faculty research program 'Securing the Rule of Law in a World of Multilevel Jurisdiction' Show less
For Huastecan Nahuas, water is a symbolic reference. This book describes the multiple values attached to water through the practice of tale telling in this society. It analyzes several local tales... Show moreFor Huastecan Nahuas, water is a symbolic reference. This book describes the multiple values attached to water through the practice of tale telling in this society. It analyzes several local tales about water manifestations such as floodings, thunderstorms, and waterlords, and explores what these mean to Huastecan Nahuas in their present socio-cultural context. The author shows how tales about this element represent and discuss current themes like the village’s right to exist, social cohesion among villagers, the need to show respect towards nature, and life and death. The book reveals how the study of tale telling provides a promising angle to address and better understand today’s indigenous cultures in Mexico. Show less
When listeners talk about their listening experiences, they often refer to music as if it were a narrative. But can music actually tell a story? Can music be narrative? Traditionally, narrativity... Show moreWhen listeners talk about their listening experiences, they often refer to music as if it were a narrative. But can music actually tell a story? Can music be narrative? Traditionally, narrativity is associated with verbal and visual texts, and the mere possibility of musical narrativity is highly debated. In this study, Vincent Meelberg demonstrates that music can indeed be narrative, and that the study of musical narrativity can be very productive. Moreover, Meelberg even makes a stronger claim by contending that contemporary music, too, can be narrative. More specifically, Meelberg suggests considering contemporary musical narratives as metanarratives, i.e. narratives that tell the story of the process of narrativization Show less
Bijna elke zichzelf respecterende Zuid-Afrikaanse schrijver schreef in de laatste decennia voorafgaand aan de politieke omwenteling van 1994 een farm novel of plaasroman: een verhaal dat zich... Show moreBijna elke zichzelf respecterende Zuid-Afrikaanse schrijver schreef in de laatste decennia voorafgaand aan de politieke omwenteling van 1994 een farm novel of plaasroman: een verhaal dat zich afspeelde op een Zuid-Afrikaans landgoed. Vaak waren die verhalen wat morbide van aard: vol wandelende doden of wrekende natuurkrachten. Ook in de decennia die voorafgingen aan het bijna 50-jarig bewind van de Nationale Partij werden er boerderijromans geschreven. Gitte Postel onderzocht hoe veranderingen in sociaal-economische verhoudingen, landrechten en culturele identiteit hun beslag kregen op boerderijen en in boerderijromans. Ze laat zien hoe verborgen of verdrongen facetten van de werkelijkheid literair verbeeld werden door de dood en het Unheimliche - datgene wat binnen het eigen domein vreemd of ongrijpbaar is, en daarom angstaanjagend Show less
