Among Anglo-American philosophers, interest in mysticism has typically been limited to the question of whether or not mystical and religious experi ences provide evidence for, or knowledge of, the existence and nature of God. Most authors conclude that they do not, because such experiences lack certain qualities needed in order to be counted as cognitive. In this study I examine some current philosophical opinions about mysticism and objec tions to its epistemic significance in the context of a detailed study of the writings of a single mystical author, the Spanish Carmelite Saint John of the...

This book is a comprehensive analysis of a neglected aspect of Chartism, its poetry. Here the Chartists are documented as poet-politicians. In order to show how much this poetry can contribute to a deeper understanding of the movement, the poems are treated as literary pieces and as historical sources. Being a mass phenomenon, these poems and songs served as a vehicle of Chartism. They not only express critical insights into society, but also, and even more so, reveal the emotions and values which brought about the mass consensus.

Globalisation and international governance constantly pose challenges to international law. This constant challenge can only be understood if one keeps in mind that globalisation and international governance are not simple and linear developments, but rather complex and contradictory processes. The emergence of several overlapping and competing normative orders - characterized in terms of 'new medievalism' and 'legal pluralism' - has given impetus to some age-old debates in international law: What is the role of the 'international community'? What is the proper function and meaning of state...

The adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 has led to a period of relative stability in the law of the sea. However, especially in recent times there have also been calls to amend the Convention because of supposed shortcomings. Renegotiation of the Convention in all probability would be a time consuming process, the outcome of which is highly uncertain. Such a process would almost certainly negatively impact upon international cooperation in the management of ocean space as it is bound to lead to uncertainty and conflict over the applicable legal regime. This...

This work makes clear what it means that the precautionary principle represents customary international law. Through the analysis of state practice regarding this principle of international environmental law, it answers crucial questions concerning the conditions triggering a right or duty to take precautionary action; the nature and content of such action; the issue areas to which the principle applies; the allocation of the burden of proof; and the role of socio-economic factors. Ultimately, it details what it takes to act in conformity with the precautionary principle under general...

Although all States agree that sustainable development must be provided for at the international level, it is still impossible to foresee which environmental problems are to be dealt with by the community of States rather than by States individually. The all-important debate over the development of specific measures enforceable under international law is just beginning. This book takes a major step in the progress of that debate toward a genuine global commitment to the protection of the earth and of future generations. The essays in this book represent a remarkable confluence of expert...

This work intends to contribute to a better understanding of the international law aspects of the ongoing debate on current and future international governance and regulation of areas beyond national jurisdiction, focusing on principles and objectives, institutional arrangements, entitlements and compliance.

'What's wrong with international law?' This is the question Professor A.H.A. Soons provocatively posed to his colleagues around the world when leaving his chair in public international law at Utrecht University. Meant to provoke discussion about what actually is wrong with international law as well as act in defence of the discipline, his conclusion was a resounding 'nothing ' Honouring Professor Soons's achievements throughout his long career as a scholar and a practitioner of international law, this Liber Amicorum exmaines whether, indeed, there is something wrong with international...

International Organizations and Member State Responsibility: Critical Perspectives is the first international public law book entirely devoted to the topic of member state responsibility. Throughout its ten contributions, it takes stock of the legal developments brought about by the International Law Commission's work on international responsibility, and critically unveils the major remaining conceptual gaps in the field. The novel approaches offered in the book serve as a repository of the various understandings within academia and legal practice that reflect the evolution of the...

Nuclear proliferation poses a serious threat to international peace and security. The non-proliferation regime is the body of public international law that aims to counter this threat. It has been a cornerstone of global security for decades. This book analyses its main instruments. The book focuses on the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, international trade controls and the International Atomic Energy Agency. It describes the internal mechanics of these mechanisms, their development, and their strengths and weaknesses. It shows how they together are the basis of a political-legal order that...