Extending Rights and Growing Responsibilities

The environmental lawyer David Boyd has written a very interesting book about the gradual process of extending the legal concept of ‘rights’ to the non-human world: not only to animals, but also – for instance – to trees, rivers and whole eco-systems.

Wim Bonis • February 06, 2019

Indigenous injustice and the power of the land

David Peat argues that Native American and Western cultures have clashed from the beginning. The differences form the basis of disputes about land ownership, the outcome of which we all know, and even touches on the current environmental crisis.

Wim Bonis • December 19, 2018

Healing the planet by changing the underlying story

The recent UN climate report and the Urgenda appeal case reflect hopeful developments with regard to dealing with climate change. But there are alternative views, reaching beyond the emphasis on numbers and statistics, that deserve attention as well.

Wim Bonis • November 02, 2018

Why science needs spirituality

In his new book ‘Spiritual science’ Steve Taylor shows that we can only make sense of many human experiences when science opens up to and integrates spirituality. An important message for all researchers, including legal scholars and criminologists.

Wim Bonis • October 10, 2018

The stab-in-the-back myth: a powerful weapon to attack Weimar’s legitimacy

The foundation of the Weimar Republic was a direct consequence of Germany’s loss in the First World War. How did the war’s ending contribute to the stab-in-the-back myth and, consequently, affect Weimar’s legitimacy?

Raisa Blommestijn • August 30, 2018 • 1 comment

The relevance of experiencing awe

Research has shown that regularly experiencing awe not only makes us feel part of something larger, but also makes us more attuned to our common humanity and raises our concern for the needs of others. Therefore it might also help to reduce crime.

Wim Bonis • August 15, 2018

Royal ribbons - tying together?

Royal decorations are great things. Public reward is a cement of society, to no less an extent than punishment. So step over your lowly envy and commit yourself to the hassle of organisation and administration in order to put forward suitable candidates.

Hendrik Kaptein • June 28, 2018

Leveraging technology to enhance access to justice for children in Africa

Based on a presentation given by the author at the Continental Conference on Access to Justice for Children in Africa in May 2018, this blog post explores how African countries have leveraged technology to enhance access to justice for children.

Sabine Katharina Witting • June 15, 2018

The German eternity clause, militant democracy and democratic sovereignty

In the light of the horrific events of the Second World War, which were a direct consequence of Hitler’s power seizure in Germany, the eternity clause was formulated. One could question whether this is a just representation of democratic sovereignty.

Raisa Blommestijn • June 13, 2018 • 1 comment

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