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The Credibility of Sovereignty - The Political Fiction of a Concept
by Elia R.G. PusterlaThe book deeply analyses the bilateral relations between Switzerland and the European Union and their effect on the former's sovereignty in the context of Europeanisation. This touches on philosophical debates on the complexity of sovereignty. What sovereignty is at stake when talking about Swiss-EU relations? This issue not only faces the elusiveness of sovereignty as a concept, but also the proliferation of hypocrisy on its presence within states. The book encounters the deconstructionist hypothesis stating that there is nothing to worry about but the belief there is something to worry about. Derrida's deconstruction of sovereignty allows indeed one to grasp the fictional essence of sovereignty based on the metaphysics of presence. The presence of self-positing sovereign ipseity is fictional since absent in the present, but spectrally present in the belief of its presence to come. Sovereignty is a matter of credibility, or the credible promise of a normative statement to come. Hence, the book challenges the realist/neorealist argument stating that states are credibly sovereign until proven otherwise and explains that the debate on state sovereignty calls for the unveiling of this hypocritical epistemology cunningly disguised as an objective presence. Swiss-EU relations thus become the cornerstone to not only theorise but also test sovereignty and deconstruct the two ontological and epistemological sides of the same coin, or the modern hypocrisy of sovereignty. This deconstruction constitutes the very problématique of any attempt to understand whether and how a state can be sovereign and solve the problem as to how to neutralise the différance and identify the difference between credible and incredible claims of sovereignty. This problématique connects the theory and practice of sovereignty innovatively, providing positivist evidence on the arguable credibility of the Swiss claim of sovereignty and confirming the presence of a theological dimension within politics.
Ambient Assisted Living: 8. AAL-Kongress 2015,Frankfurt/M, April 29-30. April, 2015 (Advanced Technologies and Societal Change)
by Reiner Wichert Helmut KlausingIn this book, leading authors in the field discuss developments of Ambient Assisted Living. The contributions have been chosen and invited at the 8th AAL Congress, Frankfurt/M. The meeting presents new technological developments which support the autonomy and independence of individuals with special needs. The 8th AAL Congress focusses its attention on technical assistance systems and their applications in homecare, health and care.
Net Neutrality Compendium
by Luca Belli Primavera De FilippiThe ways in which Internet traffic is managed have direct consequences on Internet users' rights as well as on their capability to compete on a level playing field. Network neutrality mandates to treat Internet traffic in a non-discriminatory fashion in order to maximise end users' freedom and safeguard an open Internet. This book is the result of a collective work aimed at providing deeper insight into what is network neutrality, how does it relates to human rights and free competition and how to properly frame this key issue through sustainable policies and regulations. The Net Neutrality Compendium stems from three years of discussions nurtured by the members of the Dynamic Coalition on Network Neutrality (DCNN), an open and multi-stakeholder group, established under the aegis of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Neo-Thinking on Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin Geomorphology
by Balai Chandra Das Sandipan Ghosh Aznarul Islam Md IsmailThis book explores the latest advances in our understanding of the evolution of the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, examining the Damodar basin, Bhagirathi-Hooghly basin and Jalangi basin from historical, quantitative and applied geomorphology perspectives. The evolution of the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is highly complex and remains poorly understood. To address that gap, this edited volume presents 11 research papers: the first seven chapters focus on the pure geomorphology and geohydrology of the delta, while the remaining four examine its applied geomorphological aspects. The book offers a valuable guide for geologists, geographers, hydrologists, landscape ecologists, environmentalists, engineers, planners and policy makers.
Recent Advances in Computational Intelligence in Defense and Security
by Hussein A. Abbass Rami Abielmona Rafael Falcon Nur Zincir-HeywoodThis volume is an initiative undertaken by the IEEE ComputationalIntelligence Society's Task Force on Security, Surveillance and Defense to consolidateand disseminate the role of CI techniques in the design, development anddeployment of security and defense solutions. Applications range from thedetection of buried explosive hazards in a battlefield to the control ofunmanned underwater vehicles, the delivery of superior video analytics forprotecting critical infrastructures or the development of stronger intrusiondetection systems and the design of military surveillance networks. Defensescientists, industry experts, academicians and practitioners alike will allbenefit from the wide spectrum of successful applications compiled in thisvolume. Senior undergraduate or graduate students may also discover unchartedterritory for their own research endeavors.
Kalevi Holsti: A Pioneer in International Relations Theory, Foreign Policy Analysis, History of International Order, and Security Studies
by Kalevi HolstiIn honour of Prof. Kalevi Holsti's 80th birthday, this collection presents 15 of the renowned Political Scientist's major essays and research projects. It also offers a collection of his writings and essays on theories of international relations, foreign policy analysis, security and the world order. These previously published works address issues that remain "hot topics" on the international agenda, such as the changing nature of warfare and the causes of failed states; major essays also evaluate the current search for international order. Prof. Holsti is the author of a major textbook that has been translated into Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, and Bahasa Indonesian. Thousands of undergraduates around the world are acquainted with his work.
Developing Disaster Resilient Housing in Vietnam: Challenges and Solutions
by Tuan Anh TranThis book provides a comprehensive understanding on disaster resilient housing within the Vietnam context particularly and the developing world generally. The book has identified the root causes of housing vulnerability, restrictions to safe housing development, concepts of disaster resilient housing, key issues/factors implementers and building designers need to consider, and ways of achieving resilient housing outcomes in actual design projects. The design and development of disaster resilient housing has been framed into three main themes: (i) community consultation, (ii) the role of built-environment professionals and (iii) design responses for resilience. To achieve these themes, there is a variety of contextual and intervening conditions that need to be addressed and met to provide an enabling environment for promoting disaster resilient housing. These three themes are among the most arguable issues in recent debates and discussions, academically and practically, regarding disaster risk reduction and safe housing development. In addition, this book also provides the evidence-based design framework for disaster resilient housing upon which design ideas and solutions for safe and resilient housing can be generated and shaped.
Stagnation Versus Growth in Europe
by Luigi PaganettoThis book explores the debate on the policies required to overcome the crises of 2008 and 2011, in which the focus on short-term measures has overshadowed the need to analyze the low growth rate in the European Union, and especially the Eurozone, as the basis for interventions that will counteract the tendency toward stagnation. Factors that lie at the root of the low growth are examined in depth, covering, for example, the impact of the demographic trend toward an aging population in Europe, consequences of inequality for growth, challenges posed by technological change, competition from emerging countries, and difficulties in improving European governance. In addition, potential actions to foster innovation and avoid long-term stagnation, such as new measures to open up markets, stimulate competition in services, and promote green growth, are discussed. The book comprises a selection of contributions presented at the XXVII Villa Mondragone International Economic Seminar, which brought together renowned economists and representatives of a broad range of countries and leading international institutions. It will appeal to all who are interested in the latest thinking on stagnation/growth, inequality, governance, competitiveness, and innovation in Europe.
From Corruption to Modernity
by Sebastian VăduvaThis volume examines corruption and provides tools and that can be utilized to combat it and encourage development. Using Romania as a case study, the authors argue that corruption can be reduced via institutional reforms and effective civic education. Describing various causes and types of corruption, the authors explore the causes and influences that result in corruption and the current political and bureaucratic practices that inhibit social, political or economic reform. The nations of Europe, including Romania, have different civil traditions varying in their intensity, cultural heritage, scope of activity, religious or non-religious affiliation, among other factors. Western Europe has experienced over a century of modern government involvement crowding out the efforts of traditional civil society, while Romania, along with the other Eastern nations of the former Soviet bloc, experienced almost a half-century of systematic efforts by communist regimes to eradicate and control all spheres of voluntary, nongovernmental civil life. Moreover, the inexperience and immaturity of Romanian society in the early transition period after communism, particularly its so-called "entrepreneurial class," have discredited and abused the concept of civil society, utilizing it solely for tax benefits and selfish purposes. Having had to learn the hard way about some of the key aspects of public administration often taken for granted in other countries more experienced in democratic participation, Romania has most recently made significant progress toward overcoming corruption and implementing reforms and policies that will allow it to participate more fully in the global arena.
Environmental Governance of the Baltic Sea
by Mikael Karlsson Michael Gilek Sebastian Linke Katarzyna SmolarzThis edited volume presents a comprehensive and coherent interdisciplinary analysis of challenges and possibilities for sustainable governance of the Baltic Sea ecosystem by combining knowledge and approaches from natural and social sciences. Focusing on the Ecosystem Approach to Management (EAM) and associated multi-level, multi-sector and multi-actor challenges, the book provides up-to-date descriptions and analyses of environmental governance structures and processes at the macro-regional Baltic Sea level. Organised in two parts, Part 1 presents in-depth case studies of environmental governance practices and challenges linked to five key environmental problems - eutrophication, chemical pollution, overfishing, oil discharges and invasive species. Part 2 analyses and compares governance challenges and opportunities across the five case studies, focusing on governance structures and EAM implementation, knowledge integration and science support, as well as stakeholder communication and participation. Based on these cross-case comparisons, this book also draws a set of general conclusions on possible ways of improving the governance of the Baltic Sea by promoting what have been identified as vital functions of environmental governance: coordination, integration, interdisciplinarity, precaution, deliberation, communication and adaptability.
Between Globalization and Integration: The Europeanization of Romania (SpringerBriefs in Economics)
by Sebastian VăduvaThis volume focuses on the integration and globalization of Romania, a prominent emerging market in South-Eastern Europe and one of the major players in the securitization of the Black Sea and the Eastern European border, as both a part of NATO since 2004 and a fully integrated EU Member State since 2007. It will examine the challenges the country has faced in its progression from totalitarianism to democracy through several waves of reform intended to update and streamline its political and economic processes for success in the free-market capitalist arena. Having learned the hard way about some of the key aspects of public administration, Romania has learned a place for itself among the diverse global players of Europe and beyond. The first section reviews current perspectives on globalization and its impact in the late 20th century. It has "flattened" the Earth, generating better communication and exchanges than ever before, but also gathering a fair amount of criticisms from commentators seeing it as little else than neo-colonialism. Cooperative-administrative strategies are being suggested instead, in order for new public administration patterns to smoothly run in coordination with the globalized world. In the second section, the European Union is described as a complex multi-level socio-political entity, itself historically in turmoil over its own style of rule - e. g. hierarchy vs. coordination, integration vs. centralization, etc. - or even its own existence, as the European dream seemed to be losing steam with the general population of Europe several times in the previous century. Powers and responsibilities of the European institutions and agencies are also discussed. Thirdly, the recent history of Romania is approached from the Europeanization context, starting from its post-1989 days of confusion and of attempting to jumpstart democracy. Eventually, it has to undergo a series of reforms and internalize some principles fundamental to the EU in order for the much-awaited accession to occur and its multiple effects to start taking place. A country with a rich cultural heritage and straddling multiple socio-political axes, Romania has plenty more to offer in the new geostrategic, security and development contexts of the 21st-century Europe. As such, this volume provides inspiration for further research and practical application opportunities on topics of local, European and global significance.
Assistance Benefits in Brazil: Changes and Challenges to the Exercise of a Constitutional Right
by Marco Aurélio Serau Junior José Ricardo Caetano CostaThis edited book focuses on the most controversial aspects of assistance benefits as mandated by the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 - and the challenges that have merged since the approval, in 1993, of the Federal Act 8. 742, also known as Organic Law of Social Assistance. This collection of essays allows the reader to understand some important changes in social assistance policies in Brazil in recent years, having the General Theory of Social Security and the Human Rights as references. The tensions between economic principles and affirmative policies for the less advantaged parts of the society are also covered, showing how different interpretations of key concepts - like need, poverty or family - may have an important role on the exercise of fundamental rights.
Reinterpreting Sub-Saharan Cities through the Concept of Adaptive Capacity
by Liana RicciThis book explores whether and how a reinterpretation of Sub-Saharan cities, through the concept of adaptive capacity, could bridge this distance and contribute to a new understanding of the contemporary city. The research contributes to improved knowledge of urban and environmental planning and of the dynamics of development and environmental management in peri-urban areas of Dar es Salaam. This knowledge highlights the limits of certain common generalizations on the character of peri-urban areas. Moreover, the research provides methodological contribution derived from considerations on the strengths and weakness of tools and methods for investigating adaptive capacity and for environmental management, in the city of Dar es Salaam. Finally, it highlights controversial issues and possible research paths related to the relationship between adaptive capacity and urban and environmental planning.
Mathematics Education in East Africa: Towards Harmonization and Enhancement of Education Quality (SpringerBriefs in Education)
by Anjum Halai Geoff TennantThis Open Access book is a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners as it brings insights mainly from developing countries where relatively less research activity takes place. It is also a valuable resource for courses in mathematics education in the teacher education colleges, and departments of education in the sub-Saharan Africa region. In the increasingly global and technological world mathematics is seen as a significant gatekeeper of opportunities for social and economic advancement and mobility. Hence, countries and development agencies in the broader sub-Saharan Africa region are looking towards increasing access to relevant and high-quality secondary education as a lever towards economic development. Policy makers and other key decision makers in education look towards improvement in mathematics teaching and learning as a key focus in education reform. In the East Africa region also a number of initiatives have been taken at the national level in the respective countries to improve the quality of mathematics education. This book provides an in-depth comparative analysis of the developments and issues in mathematics education in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda, and advances our understanding of the state of secondary mathematics education in East Africa.
Political and Legal Perspectives of the EU Eastern Partnership Policy
by Tanel Kerikmäe Archil ChochiaThis book examines EUEastern Partnership taking into account geopolitical challenges of EUintegration. It highlights reasons for limited success, such as systematicconflict of EU External Action. In addition, the book analyses country-specificissues and discusses EaP influence on them, investigating political, economicand social factors, while seeking for potential solutions to existing problems. The reluctance of the Eastern countries to the European reforms should notreduce political pro-activeness of the EU. The authors suggest that EaPstrategies should be reviewed to be more reciprocal and not based solely on theEU-laden agenda. This book is one of the good examples of cooperation betweenscholars not only from EaP and EU countries, but also from differentdisciplines, bringing diversity to the discussion process.
Electronic Democracy in Europe
by Ralf Lindner Georg Aichholzer Leonhard HennenThis edited book is the first of its kind tosystematically address the intersection of e-democracy and European politics. It contributes to an improved understanding of the role that new mediatechnologies play in European politics and the potential impact thatInternet-based political participation processes may have on modern-dayrepresentative democracy in Europe. A unique, holistic approach is taken to examinee-democracy's current state and prospects in Europe from three, partiallyoverlapping and interlocking perspectives: e-public, e-participation ande-voting. The authors provide both theory-inspired reflections on e-democracy'scontribution to the formation of the European public sphere, as well as richempirical analyses of contemporary e-participation phenomena such as theEuropean Citizens' Initiative or e-voting practices in Estonia. Based on the presentedfindings, the concluding chapter combines a prospective outlook withrecommendations for future paths towards meaningful integration of e-democracyin European politics and governance.
Smart Cities, Green Technologies, and Intelligent Transport Systems: 4th International Conference, Smartgreens 2015, And 1st International Conference Vehits 2015, Lisbon, Portugal, May 20-22, 2015, Revised Selected Papers (Communications In Computer And Information Science #579)
by Markus Helfert Karl-Heinz Krempels Brian Donnellan Cornel Klein Oleg GusikhinThis book constitutes the thoroughly refereedproceedings of the 4th International Conference on Smart Cities and Green ICTSystems, SMARTGREENS 2015, and the 1st InternationalConference on Vehicle Technology and Intelligent Transport Systems, VEHITS2015, held in Lisbon, Portugal, in May 2015. The 15 full papers of SMARTGREENS 2015 presentedwere carefully reviewed and selected from 73 submissions. VEHITS 2015 received27 paper submissions from which 3 papers were selected and published in thisbook. The papers reflect topics such as smart cities, energy-aware systems andtechnologies, sustainable computing and communications, sustainabletransportation and smart mobility.
Exploring the Security Landscape: Non-Traditional Security Challenges
by Anthony J. MasysThis bookprovides international perspective for those studying or working in thesecurity domain, from enforcement to policy. It focuses on non-traditionalthreats in a landscape that has been described as transnational in nature andincorporates natural disasters, gang violence, extremism and terrorism, amongstother issues. Chapters provide innovative thinking on themes includingcyber security, maritime security, transnational crime, human security,globalization and economic security. Relevanttheoretical frameworks are presented and readers are expertly guided throughcomplex threats, from matters pertaining to health security which pose threats notonly to humans but also have significant national security implications, toissues regarding critical infrastructure vulnerability and the complexity ofunderstanding terrorist operations. Authors reveal how emerging uncertaintiesregarding global critical infrastructure and supply chain security, foodsecurity, and health security are linked to the notion of human security. Securityprofessionals, policy makers and academics will all gain from the insights,strategies and perspectives in this book. It builds understanding of thedeepening and broadening domain of security studies and provides a valuablereference text for courses on security studies and international relations.
The Fluid City Paradigm
by Maurizio Carta Daniele RonsivalleThis book presents a new paradigm of knowledge and action withrespect to urban waterfronts and the "fluid city paradigm,"explaining its methodological framework and describing an integrated andcreative planning approach in which waterfront regeneration is pursued as a keyurban-renewal strategy. It focuses especially on the WATERFRONT project ("WaterAnd Territorial policiEs for integRation oF multisectoRial develOpmeNT"), whichwas funded jointly by Italy and Malta with the goal of developing commonguidelines, strategies, and operational tools for the planning of coastal areas,based on cross-border exchange of experiences. In the described approach, thewaterfront is recognized as having a broad identity, acknowledging thecomplexity of the relationship between seaport and town and taking into accountthe physical and environmental components of human settlement, infrastructure,and productive and recreational activities. It highlights details of theprocess of renewal in the port city of Trapani, with discussion of theimplemented actions, plans, and programs. The book also examines the practicesadopted to transform city-port relationships across Europe in pursuit ofinnovative and sustainable development.
Sir Peter Hall: Pioneer in Regional Planning, Transport and Urban Geography
by Richard D. Knowles Celine RozenblatThis book sheds light on Sir Peter Hall's visions and contributions as recalled by experts. Specialists from the fields of transport and geography testify to Sir Peter Hall's enormous impact on urban planning, urban geography, and transport geography, and The IGU Commission on Transport and Geography together with the IGU Urban Commission would like to commemorate this. After an Introduction by Richard Knowles and Celine Rozenblat, Peter Taylor presents his high-level contribution "Polymath in City Studies," and Jonathan Reades presents Sir Peter Hall's views on "Location and Innovation. " This is followed by "An Innovator of Enhancing Transport and Urban Development Relationships" by Chia-Lin Chen. Kathy Pain explains their common work on "The Mega City Regions," while Michael Batty recalls how they collaborated on "World Cities and Information Cities. " Celine Rozenblat and Dan O'Donoghue welcome "The Visionary for World and European cities".
Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms
by Joseph Zajda Val RustThis volume explores the interrelationship between ideology, the state and higher education reforms, setting it in a global context. It examines some of the major higher education reforms and policy issues in a global culture, particularly in the light of recent shifts in quality and standards-driven education and policy research. In doing so, the book provides a comprehensive picture of the intersecting and diverse discourses of globalisation and policy-driven reforms in higher education. Representing scholarly research on major discourses in the field of higher education reforms, the book draws upon recent studies in the areas of globalisation, equality, and the role of the state in higher education reforms. It critiques the neo-liberal ideological imperatives of current higher education and policy reforms, and illustrates the way that shifts in the relationship between the state and higher education policy affect current trends in higher education reforms. Individual chapters critically assess the dominant discourses and debates on higher education and policy reforms. Using diverse comparative education paradigms from critical theory to historical-comparative research, the chapters focus on globalisation, ideology and higher education reforms and examine both the reasons and outcomes of higher education reforms and policy change. "Anyone who has been involved in higher education over the past few decades cannot fail to be affected by the impact of globalisation and neo-liberal policies on universities and society at large. In 'Globalisation and Higher Education Reforms', the 15th volume of the series 'Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research', Joseph Zajda and Val Rust present chapters on education reform in the USA and in international contexts that highlight the inroads that neo-liberalism has made into policy making at higher education institutions. The chapters also illustrate the way universities have been reinventing themselves to meet the demands of a knowledge society in which corporate values of efficiency, performance and managerialism drive the agenda. What are the effects of internationalisation on higher education in the universities of today? With chapters from internationally respected scholars from around the globe, this book seeks to address the many issues of the new reality in higher education. This is a welcome, accessible volume for all those concerned with research, policy-making and curriculum development. " Professor Suzanne Majhanovich, Western University
Renewing Liberalism
by James A. ShermanThis book develops an original and comprehensive theory ofpolitical liberalism. It defends bold new accounts of the nature of autonomyand individual liberty, the content of distributive justice, and thejustification for the authority of the State. The theory that emergesintegrates contemporary progressive and pluralistic liberalism into a broadlyAristotelian intellectual tradition. The early chapters of the book challenge the traditionalconservative idea of individual liberty--the liberty to dispose of one'sproperty as one wishes--and replace it with a new one, according to which libertyis of equal value to all persons, regardless of economic position. The middle chapters present an original theory of socio-economicjustice, arguing that a society in which every citizen enjoys an equal share ofliberty should be the distributive goal of the State. It is argued that thisgoal is incompatible with the existence of large disparities in wealth andeconomic power, and that (contra conservativeand libertarian economic arguments) such disparities are harmful to the overallhealth of national and global economies. The final chapters provide anoriginal argument that the State has both a moral duty and a moral right topursue this program of socio-economic justice (contra conservative and libertarian moral arguments), and that onlythe measures necessary to implement this program lie within the morallyjustifiable limits on the State's authority. Though primarily a politicalwork, it spans most areas ofpractical philosophy--including ethical, social, and legal theory; andmeta-ethics, moral psychology, and action theory. And though fundamentally aphilosophical work, it incorporates research from a number of fields--including decisiontheory, economics, political science, and jurisprudence; primatology,neuroscience, and psychology; and history, anthropology, sociology, andecology--and is sure to be of interest to a wide range of scholars and students.
A Transnational Analysis of Representations of the US Filibusters in Nicaragua, 1855-1857
by Andreas BeerThis book investigates how the encounter between the U. S. filibuster expedition in 1855-1857 and Nicaraguans was imagined in both countries. The author examines transnational media and gives special emphasis to hitherto neglected publications like the bilingual newspaper El Nicaraguense. The study analyzes filibusters' direct influence on their representations and how these form the basis for popular collective memories and academic discourses.
Settlement Morphology of Budapest
by Csapó Tamás Lenner TiborThis book presents the results of empirical research conducted by the authors, who personally surveyed the people they met on each and every street, square and public space in Budapest. It has four extensive chapters that discuss urban change and structure in Budapest and feature many rich color illustrations. The first chapter looks at the geographical circumstances impacting the city's urban development in a historical context, as well as the evolution of its functions and demographic processes and the development of the ground plan and settlement structure. The second chapter concerns itself with the way the capital city of Hungary is built, demonstrating the horizontal homogeneity and vertical heterogeneity of development together with development types and locations in Budapest. The third chapter was written about the change in Budapest's urban structure, especially in regard to the years after 1990. It lists the major factors influencing urban structure transformation, followed by a detailed analysis of Budapest's functional zones. Lastly, the fourth chapter provides a detailed introduction to each capital city district, including their creation, development and functional structures.
Democratizing Constitutional Law
by Thomas Bustamante Bernardo Gonçalves FernandesThis volume critically discusses therelationship between democracy and constitutionalism. It does so with a view torespond to objections raised by legal and political philosophers who aresceptical of judicial review based on the assumption that judicial review is anundemocratic institution. The book builds on earlier literature on the moraljustification of the authority of constitutional courts, and on the currentattempts to develop a system on "weak judicial review". Although different intheir approach, the chapters all focus on devising institutions, proceduresand, in a more abstract way, normative conceptions to democratizeconstitutional law. These democratizing strategies may vary from a radicalobjection to the institution of judicial review, to a more modest proposal tojustify the authority of constitutional courts in their "deliberativeperformance" or to create constitutional juries that may be more aware of acommunity's constitutional morality than constitutional courts are. The book connects abstract theoreticaldiscussions about the moral justification of constitutionalism with concreteproblems, such as the relation between constitutional adjudication anddeliberative democracy, the legitimacy of judicial review in internationalinstitutions, the need to create new institutions to democratizeconstitutionalism, the connections between philosophical conceptions andconstitutional practices, the judicial review of constitutional amendments, andthe criticism on strong judicial review.