woensdag, december 12, 2018

REVIEW: Christophe Wampach (Bonn) on Balance of Power and Norm Hierarchy. Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht (Brill, 2015)

(image source: De Gruyter)

A review of my book Balance of Power and Norm Hierarchy. Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht (Brill, 2015) appeared in the Zeitschrift der Savigny-Stiftung für Rechtsgeschichte. Kanonistische Abteilung CIV (2018), nr. 1 (DOI 10.26498/zrgka-2018-1040130).

dinsdag, december 11, 2018

RADIO: interview op Radio 1 (de Ochtend) over Macron's toespraak van 10 december 2018

(bron afbeelding: Libération)

Ik sprak vanochtend met Xavier Taveirne (de Ochtend/Radio 1) over de concessies van Emmanuel Macron aan de "Gilets Jaunes".

Wie wil, kan dit hier herbeluisteren (vanaf 41:28).

VRTNWS publiceerde een uitgeschreven versie later op de dag (hier).

maandag, december 10, 2018

CALL FOR PAPERS: XXVth Annual Forum of Young Legal Historians (Brussels: VUB/ULB/USL, 5-8 JUNE 2019); DEADLINE 15 JAN 2019

Identity, Citizenship and Legal History

XXVth Annual Forum of Young Legal Historians
Brussels, 5 – 8 June 2019

(image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Historically, the concept of citizenship encompassed three distinct, yet interconnected dimensions. The first and foremost dimension was of a legal nature: citizenship was a legal status which allowed one to act freely in accordance with the law and, when necessary, to claim its protection. In its second dimension citizenship presupposed one’s active participation in society’s political institutions. And last, though certainly not least, citizenship was closely linked to membership of a specific community that provided a distinct source of identity. All three dimensions were closely related to each other. This can perhaps be most aptly exemplified in the ancient boast of ‘Civis romanus sum!’, which encapsulated simultaneously a plea for legal rights, a republican sense of duty, and a distinctly Roman feeling of the imperial pride. Since the nineteenth century, these dimensions have been linked predominantly to the modern nation-state, a model which is nowadays increasingly challenged on the internal as well as the external level. Internally, many states are seen to be struggling with federalism, separatist movements, legacies of colonialism and right-wing identity politics. Externally, today’s governments are confronted with issues, such as climate change, demographic shifts, migration streams and a global and interdependent economic system, that require international cooperation or even supranational institutions.

The XXVth Annual Forum of the Young Legal Historians aims to shed light on these questions by looking at the legal history of the closely intertwined concepts of citizenship and legal history. Throughout history, citizenship and identity has been defined in different ways and at different levels. For instance, in antiquity the often smallish Greek poleis could hardly be compared to the expansive Roman Empire. Medieval life in Europe consisted of a feudal patchwork of kingdoms, principalities and free city-states, yet all were considered part of Christendom. Identity could also be determined by social class (e.g. aristocratic families) or by profession (e.g. the guilds). The nineteenth century saw the rise of nationalism and revolution, whilst at the same time European powers expanded their colonial empires. Despite these evolutions, it cannot be denied that there is also much continuity to be found. Although diversity and globalisation have reached an unprecedented scale and form today, these phenomena are not entirely new. Each era has had its international relations, its trades, wars, economic discrepancies, migrants and refugees.

There is, in short, enough reason to expect that we can learn from history. Such an endeavour necessitates a multidisciplinary approach since legal constructions can be fully appreciated only when combined with insights from the related fields of history, philosophy, political science and sociology. Therefore, the organizers welcome both traditional approaches in legal history and methodologically innovative research.

If you would like to present a paper during the conference, please send an application including an abstract of not more than 250 words and your CV to aylh2019@gmail.com before 15 January 2019. It is also possible to apply for a full panel. In that case, your proposal should also include, in addition to individual paper proposals, an abstract introducing the theme of the panel. Presentations have to be in English and should not exceed 20 minutes each. The conference fee will be € 100,- and does not include accommodation. Further information about the upcoming forum can be found at the website of the conferenceInformation about the Association of Young Legal Historians and the past Annual Forums is available at the AYLH-website.

We look forward to welcoming you to Brussels.

Wouter De Rycke (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, CORE)
Marco in ’t Veld (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, CORE)
Maxime Jottrand (Université libre de Bruxelles, CHDAJ)
Romain Landmeters (Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles, CRHiDI)


Stephanie Plasschaert (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, CORE)
This conference received the generous support of the Committee for Legal History of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts.



(source: ESCLH Blog)

zondag, december 09, 2018

COMMENTAAR: Twee lessen uit vier weekends gilets jaunes (De Morgen, 9 December 2018)

(bron afbeelding: De Morgen)

Ik becommentarieerde voor De Morgen de protestbeweging in Frankrijk.

Eerste paragraaf:
Frankrijk is nog steeds in de ban van de gilets jaunes. Toch kunnen we twee vaststellingen doen, die elkaar versterken. De eerste is dat Emmanuel Macron de sociale kloof tussen gegoede en minder gegoede middenklasse zwaar heeft onderschat. Nicolas Hulot, die als minister voor Ecologische Transitie dramatisch ontslag nam uit de regering, ging al bij het begin van de gele hesjes-beweging op tv om uit te leggen hoezeer Macron zich vergist had. Wie ecologie gebruikt als een smoes om de belastingen op de kleine man op te drijven, slaat tegelijk zijn voor- en achterruit in.
Lees verder hier.

vrijdag, december 07, 2018

ARTICLE: “La neutralité permanente de la Belgique et l’histoire du droit international : quelques jalons pour la recherche” [Actes des journées internationales de la société d’histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands, picards et wallons 2016: gens de robe, gens de guerre] Cahiers du CRHIDI 41 (2018) [OPEN ACCESS]


(Image source: Cahiers du CHRiDI)

Abstract:
The mandatory status of Belgium’s “permanent” neutrality (1830-1919) is an object of legal as well as historical research. Narratives in both disciplines often link an attitude of abstention in armed conflict and a certain impetus for the advancement of the cause of international law and institutions. However, any analysis should start from the conceptual pedigree of permanent neutrality. The instauration of a “permanent” neutrality cannot be seen but as a derogation, or at best a transformation of the concept of “voluntary” neutrality, established in early modern state practice. Neutrality cannot be conceived without an ongoing conflict between two third states. Rendering the restrictions of voluntary neutrality permanent, even when no conflict between third parties is around, equals restraining the sovereign freedom of an actor in the international system. Abstention, impartiality and military credibility were imposed on Belgium.  As a counterparty, the Great Powers undertook a collective guarantee. In reality, only the United Kingdom displayed its determination to intervene in case of a violation of Belgium’s (European) territory. The vague and uncertain legal aspects (joint or individual guarantee, limited to civilised nations ?) and the movements of a political chessboard in constant flux fragilized what should have been a protection or a certainty, rather than a source of worries. Diplomatic practice should be reinterpreted using this legal, conceptual and historical explanatory grid, close to the actors’ preoccupations.
Read the full article here. DOI 10.25518/1370-2262.614.

woensdag, december 05, 2018

maandag, december 03, 2018

CALL FOR PAPERS: Journées internationales d'histoire du droit et des institutions à Audenarde, 31 mai-1er juin 2019: la vie et la mort [Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands, picards et wallons] (DEADLINE 15 APR 2019)


(image source: oudenaarde.be)

International Days of the Society for Legal and Institutional History of Flanders, Picardy and Wallonia
Oudenaarde, 31 May & 1 June 2019

The Society for Legal and Institutional History of Flanders, Picardy and Wallonia holds its annual "International days" on 31 May and the 1st of June in Oudenaarde (Belgium).

The theme of the conference is: « Vie et mort » (“Life & Death”)

The general theme of the “International Days” incorporates numerous historic and legal aspects of life and death. For example, ceremonies and customs regarding life and death (e.g. baptism, religious or civil wedding, funeral), civil law subjects (e.g. legal status, property law, etc.) or criminal law subjects (death penalty, pardon), life and death during wars (killed soldiers, shot soldiers, extermination camps, etc.), ...

This general theme does not exclude papers about other subjects regarding legal history or institutional history.

Presentations can be held in French, English or Dutch. Speakers have to send a summary to the organization (in French and/or English).

The conference will take place on Friday 31 May 2019 starting at 10 a.m. and on Saturday 1st of June 2019 starting at 9.30 a.m. in the conference room of the former convent of the Black sisters of Oudenaarde, Pamelekerkplein 4, 9700 Oudenaarde (along the Scheldt river, see: 

Lunches and dinner will be served in a restaurant in the city centre.

The General Assembly of the Society will be held on Saturday 1 June after the sessions.

The detailed programme will be sent to the participants later. Participants have to register by sending the attached registration form by e-email to guido.lambeets@mil.be or by mail to M. Guido Lambeets, Royal Military Academy – SCGW, avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels (Belgium).

Proposals can be sent before 15 April 2019 to Stanislas HORVAT by e-mail (shorvat@skynet.be).

The registration fee amounts to 25 € (for documentation and coffee). Lunches on Friday and Saturday are 30 € p.p. each. Dinner on Friday evening is 60 € per person. The  total amount should be paid at the same moment as the registration on the bank account of  the Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands picards et wallons:

IBAN BE77 7370 5007 1342 - BIC KREDBEBB

If it is difficult to pay in advance, it will be possible to pay cash at the start of the conference Be aware that checks are no longer accepted in Belgium.

Participants will have to make their hotel reservation. A city map and a list of hotels will be sent by email to the participants after registration.

We all hope to welcome you in Oudenaarde in May.

Best regards,

The Board,

The President,                                                The Secretary General,
Emese von BÓNÉ                                        Christian PFISTER

The Vicepresidents,                                       The Treasurer,
Tanguy LE MARC’HADOUR                     Pascal HEPNER
Michael MILO
Stanislas HORVAT





Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands, picards et wallons


Journées internationales d'histoire du droit et des institutions
Internationale rechtshistorische dagen
International Days for Legal and Institutional History
OUDENAARDE, 30/05/2019-01/06/2019

 

FORMULAIRE D'INSCRIPTION/ INSCHRIJVINGSFORMULIER/REGISTRATION FORM

 



À envoyer avant le 15 mai 2019 par courriel à/ Vóór 15 mei 2019 per e-mail te sturen aan/To be sent by e-mail before 15 May 2019 to: guido.lambeets@mil.be

Par courrier/Per post/By normal mail : M. Guido Lambeets, Ecole Royale Militaire–SCGW, avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Bruxelles (Belgique/België/Belgium).



Madame/Mevrouw/Mrs – Monsieur/Mijnheer/Mr:

Adresse/Adres/Address :


Téléphone portable/Gsm/Cell phone:

E-mail :


Droit d’inscription/Inschrijving/Registration fee                                                 25 €

Lunch vendredi/vrijdag/Friday 31/05/19             
Nombre de personnes/Aantal personen/Number of persons :          …… x 30 €     Total : …. €

Lunch samedi/zaterdag/Saturday 01/06/19         
Nombre de personnes/Aantal personen/Number of persons :          …… x 30 €     Total : …. €

Diner/Dinner vendredi soir/vrijdagavond/Friday night
Nombre de personnes/Aaantal personen/Number of persons :         …… x 60 €     Total : …. €
                                   

Total à payer/Te betalen eindbedrag/Total amount to be paid:                                     …. 


Au compte bancaire  /Op bankrekening/On bank account :
IBAN BE77 7370 5007 1342 - BIC KREDBEBB


Au nom de la Société / Op naam van / Account holder :

Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions
des pays flamands, picards et wallons 
(fondée à Lille en 1929)

Journées internationales d'histoire du droit et des institutions
AUDENARDE, 31 mai et 1er juin 2019


Madame, Monsieur,

Les journées internationales d'histoire du droit et des institutions auront lieu cette année à Audenarde (Oudenaarde, Belgique), les 30  mai et 1er juin 2019.

Le thème qui a été retenu par le bureau de la Société est le suivant :

« La vie et la mort »

Le thème des Journées permet de couvrir de nombreux aspects de la vie et de la mort, tant historiques que juridiques. Citons, à titre d’exemple, les rites et coutumes de la vie et de la mort (p.ex. le baptême, le mariage religieux ou civil, l’enterrement), des matières de droit civil (p.ex. le statut de la personne, le droit patrimonial, etc.) ou de droit pénal (la peine de mort, la grâce), la vie et la mort pendant les guerres (soldats tombés au champ d’honneur, les fusillés, les camps d’extermination, etc.), ...

Ce thème général n’exclut pas, par ailleurs, la possibilité de communiquer sur d’autres sujets d’histoire du droit, de la justice et des institutions.

Les interventions peuvent être faites en français, en anglais ou en néerlandais ; les orateurs sont priés d’envoyer un résumé à l’avance aux organisateurs (de préférence en français).

Les participants seront accueillis le vendredi 31 mai 2019, à 9h30, à l’ancien couvent des sœurs noires (Zwartzusterklooster), Pamelekerkplein 4, 9700 Oudenaarde (le long de l’Escaut, voyez : .



Les séances de travail se dérouleront dans la salle de réunion de l’ancien couvent le vendredi 31 mai 2019, à partir de 10h00, et le samedi 1er juin 2019, dès 9h00. Les déjeuners seront pris au centre-ville.

L’assemblée générale de la Société se tiendra le samedi 1er juin 2019, à la fin des séances de travail.

Notre traditionnel diner se déroulera le vendredi soir dans un restaurant de la ville.

Le programme détaillé des journées sera communiqué ultérieurement aux participants, qui sont priés de renvoyer le formulaire d’inscription ci-joint avant le 15 mai 2019 par courriel à guido.lambeets@mil.be ou par courrier à M. Guido Lambeets, Ecole Royale Militaire – SCGW, avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Bruxelles (Belgique).

Afin de nous permettre de dresser le programme définitif du colloque, nous remercions les personnes désireuses de communiquer de faire parvenir leur proposition de communication avant le 15 avril 2019 à Stanislas HORVAT (par courriel: shorvat@skynet.be).

Les frais d'inscription aux journées s'élèvent à 25 € et comprennent la documentation et les pauses-café ; les déjeuners des vendredi et samedi à 30 € chacun. La participation au diner du vendredi soir est de 60 € par personne. Ces sommes sont à verser au moment de l’inscription par virement bancaire européen sur le compte de la Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands picards et wallons:

IBAN BE77 7370 5007 1342 - BIC KREDBEBB

En cas de problème à effectuer le paiement par virement préalable, il est possible de payer sur place le premier jour du colloque. Notez que les chèques ne sont plus acceptés en Belgique.

Une liste d’hôtels à Audenarde et un plan de la ville seront envoyés par mail, dès son inscription, à chaque participant. Nous vous invitons à procéder vous-même à votre réservation dès que possible.

Au plaisir de vous rencontrer à Audenarde en mai prochain, nous vous prions d'agréer l'expression de nos sentiments très cordiaux.

Le bureau de la Société,                                                       

La Présidente,            
Emese von BÓNÉ                                                               

Les Vice-Présidents,                                                                                     
Tanguy LE MARC’HADOUR
Michael MILO                                  
Stanislas HORVAT
                       
Le Secrétaire Général,
Christian PFISTER

Le trésorier,
Pascal HEPNER


Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions
des pays flamands, picards et wallons 

Internationale rechtshistorische dagen
OUDENAARDE, 31 mei – 1 juni 2019

Mevrouw, Mijnheer,

De internationale dagen de Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands, picards et wallons zullen dit jaar op 31 mei en 1 juni in Oudenaarde (België) plaatsvinden.

Het thema dat door het bureau van de Société werd weerhouden, is:

« Vie et mort » (“Het leven en de dood”)

Het thema van de Rechtshistorische dagen dekt talrijke aspecten, zowel historische als juridische, van het leven en van de dood. Zo bijvoorbeeld de rituelen en de gebruiken rond het leven en de dood (bv. het doopsel, het kerkelijke of burgerlijke huwelijk, de begrafenis), materies uit het burgerlijk recht (bv. de staat van de persoon, het vermogensrecht, enz.) of uit het strafrecht (de doodstraf, de genade), gevolgen van oorlogen (gesneuvelden, gefusilleerden, uitroeiingskampen enz.) ...

Dit hoofdthema sluit overigens lezingen over andere onderwerpen van rechtsgeschiedenis of van de geschiedenis der instellingen niet uit.

De lezingen kunnen in het Frans, het Engels of het Nederlands doorgaan. De sprekers worden verzocht vooraf een samenvatting aan de organisatoren te bezorgen (bij voorkeur in het Frans).

De deelnemers worden op vrijdag 31 mei 2019 om 9.30u verwacht in het voormalig Zwartzusterklooster van Oudenaarde, Pamelekerkplein 4, 9700 Oudenaarde (langs de Schelde, zie: 
De sessies gaan door in de vergaderzaal van het voormalige Zwartzusterklooster op vrijdag 31 mei vanaf 10 u, en op zaterdag 1 juni vanaf 9 u. De lunches zullen doorgaan in een restaurant in het stadscentrum.

De algemene vergadering van de Société gaat door op zaterdag 1 juni, na afloop van de sessies.

Ons traditioneel diner zal op vrijdagavond in een restaurant in de stad doorgaan.

Het gedetailleerde programma van de dagen zal later aan de deelnemers worden toegezonden. Deelnemers worden verzocht het bijgaand inschrijvingsformulier vóór 15 mei 2019 op te sturen per elektronische post naar guido.lambeets@mil.be of per gewone post aan M. Guido Lambeets, Koninklijke Militaire School – SCGW, Renaissancelaan 30, 1000 Brussel (België).

Met het oog op het vastleggen van het definitieve programma van het colloquium verzoeken wij de kandidaat-sprekers om hun voorgenomen onderwerp met titel vóór 15 april 2019 mee te delen aan Stanislas HORVAT (per e-mail: shorvat@skynet.be).

De inschrijving voor het colloquium bedraagt 25  en dekt de documentatie en de koffiepauzes, de lunches van vrijdag en zaterdag kosten 30 € per persoon per dag. De deelname aan het diner van vrijdagavond kost 60 € per persoon. Gelieve bij de inschrijving het totale bedrag via Europese overschrijving te storten op de rekening van de Société d'histoire du droit et des institutions des pays flamands picards et wallons:

IBAN BE77 7370 5007 1342 - BIC KREDBEBB

Wie moeilijkheden ondervindt om vooraf de overschrijving te verrichten, kan bij aanvang van het colloquium nog ter plaatse betalen. Opgelet: checks worden in België niet meer aanvaard.

Een lijst van hotels en een stadsplan zullen aan elke deelnemer per e-mail worden toegestuurd bij zijn inschrijving. Reserveer zo snel mogelijk uw hotel.

Wij hopen u in Brussel te kunnen verwelkomen in mei eerstkomend. In afwachting groeten wij u alvast heel hartelijk,


Het bureau van de Société,                           

De Voorzitster,          
Emese von BÓNÉ                                       

De Ondervoorzitters,                                                                                   
Tanguy LE MARC’HADOUR        
Michael MILO
Stanislas HORVAT
                       
De Secretaris-generaal,
Christian PFISTER

De Penningmeester,
Pascal HEPNER

(source: ESCLH Blog)


maandag, november 26, 2018

CONFERENCE: Joseph-Marie Portalis, diplomate, magistrat et législateur (Paris: Court of Cassation/Council of State, 13-14 DEC 2018)

(image source: Blogger)

Prof. dr. Nicolas Laurent-Bonne (Université Clermont-Auvergne/Centre Michel de l'Hôpital) and Dr. Raphael Cahen (VUB/CORE) organise a conference on Joseph-Marie Portalis in the Parisian Court of Cassation and the Council of State.

Your humble servant will present a paper on the second day (14 December) entitled Portalis le jeune et le droit des gens.

Registration information for the conference can be found on the ESCLH Blog.

Update 14 Dec 2018: the full conference on 13 December in the Court of Cassation can be watched onYoutube:

Update 6 March 2019: the second day of the conference has been uploaded to vimeo by the Council of State. See below for my own intervention:

Portalis le jeune et le droit des gens : le retour de la morale dans le XIXe siècle positiviste ? from ConseilEtat on Vimeo.

dinsdag, november 20, 2018

WEBSITE: Publications/Lecture moved to VUB/CORE



My personal website has been moved to the CORE-website. An up-to-date list of publications and lectures, with -where possible- links to the open access-version.

URL: www.vub.ac.be/CORE/members/dhondt

Academic bibliographies:
- VUB PURE: here
- UGent bibliography: here
- Universiteit Antwerpen repository: here

Bibliometric websites:
- ResearcherID: here
- ORCID: here

Repositories:
- ResearchGate: here
- Academia.edu: here
- SSRN: here

vrijdag, november 09, 2018

COMMENTAAR: "Macron verslikt zich in Pétain" (De Morgen, 9 November 2018)

(bron afbeelding: Demorgen)

Ik schreef een bijdrage voor De Morgen over de polemiek rond de uitspraken van Emmanuel Macron over de rol van maarschalk Pétain in de Eerste Wereldoorlog.

Eerste paragraaf:
Frans president Emmanuel Macron werkte zich onverwacht in nesten met een polemiek rond Philippe Pétain, Frans bevelhebber uit Wereldoorlog I, maar ook staatshoofd van het collaborerende en antisemitische Vichy-regime (1940-1942). De populariteit van de president, die een elitair en technocratisch imago heeft, is tanende. Hervormingen zonder resultaten, het ontslag van de ontgoochelde ecologieminister Nicolas Hulot en ongelukkige uitspraken over werklozen zorgen voor veel ongenoegen, zoals dat van de gillets jaunes (kwade automobilisten).
Lees verder op de site van De Morgen.

maandag, november 05, 2018

ARTICLE: “’La mentalité de nos confrères à l’égard de ce qui fut jadis et sera demain’. The Neutralities of Belgium, the Congo Free State and the Belgian Congo (1885-1914) seen through the Journal des Tribunaux" (with. S. VANDENBOGAERDE) [Special Issue Congo at War, eds. E. NGONGO, B. PIRET & N. TOUSIGNANT] Journal of Belgian history/Revue belge d’histoire contemporaine/Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Nieuwste Geschiedenis XLVIII (2018), nr. 1-2, pp. 134-162


Today, the Journal of Belgian History/Revue belge d'histoire contemporaine/Belgisch Tijdschrift voor Nieuwste Geschiedenis published its theme issue Congo at War, edited by Enika Ngongo, Bérengère Piret and Nathalie Tousignant (USL-B/UCLouvain).

The issue contains an article written together with Sebastiaan Vandenbogaerde (UGent/Legal History Institute-FWO) on the neutralities of Belgium, the Congo Free State and the Belgian Congo.

Abstract:
The violation of Belgium’s perpetual neutrality by Germany is a classic topos of diplomatic history in the European theatre of the Great War. The Treaty of London (19 April 1839) was torn up by Kaiser Wilhelm as a “Scrap of Paper”. Yet, what were the conception foundations of this sui generis institution of international law? To what extent could this status have been applicable to Congo? International law is not a shortlist of enforceable norms, but an arena wherein states seek legitimation for their political choices. The vagueness of treaty clauses, such as the Treaty of London (1839) or the Berlin Final Act (1885), was both a weakness and a guarantee for the argumentative comprehensiveness of the respective legal regimes. This can be illustrated at two distinct levels. First, Belgian scholars (Nys, Descamps) have been influential in international doctrine (Koskenniemi, Gentle Civilizer of Nations). Second, international affairs were a topos of controversy in the Journal des Tribunaux, the weekly legal periodical created by Edmond Picard and continued by Léon Hennebicq. The traditional sources of international law (treaties, doctrine, custom) reveal multiple positions on the neutrality status of both metropolis and colony. Arendt’s landmark treatise on Belgian neutrality (1845) has proven to be prophetic. The shaky foundations of perpetual neutrality reach back to the early modern period. Positivist stances such as those of Liszt (1913) and Oppenheim (1902) could position neutrality as an exception with regards to the standard narrative of state-made international law. This is an important caveat applied to pacifist literature. Further on, patriotic narratives in the Journal des Tribunaux were heavily influenced by foreign doctrine. Both diplomacy and domestic political culture were drenched in legal language, produced by and for the social world of lawyers.
More information soon on the journal's website.
Update 30 Aug 2019: the article has been published in open access here.

zaterdag, oktober 27, 2018

CONGRES: Internationaal congres Oorlog, Recht en Vrede (Gent: Augustijnenklooster, 7 december 2018)

(image source: De Standaard)

Op 7 december 2018 gaat in het Gentse Augustijnenklooster een internationaal congres door, georganiseerd door de Balie van Gent rond het thema Oorlog, Recht en Vrede.

Uw dienaar verzorgt een eerste historische lezing over het "Gevecht om de Vrede".

Programma:
9.00 u - 9.30 u      Ontvangst en registratie9.30 u - 9.45 u      Verwelkoming - C. Cauwe (Stafhouder Balie Gent)
9.45 u - 10.00 u    Inleiding - A. Bloch (Raadsheer Hof van Cassatie Brussel/Voorzitter congres)
10.00 u - 10.30 u  Het gevecht om de vrede – F. Dhondt (Docent Vrije Universiteit Brussel/Gastprofessor Universiteit Antwerpen)
10.30 u - 11.00 u  La protection des droits de l'Homme dans les conflits internationaux – I. Panoussis (Decaan Faculteit Rechten Université catholique de Lille)
11.00 u -1 1.30 u  Pauze11.30 u - 12.00 u  Reflections on international criminal justice and accountability mechanisms - F. Swinnen (Senior UN adviser)
12.00 u - 12.30 u  Oorlogsmist – Wat is geoorloofd in tijden van oorlog? – R. Vranckx (Journalist VRT)
12.30 u - 14.00 u  Lunch14.00 u - 14.30 u  L'état de droit ou l'indispensable instrument de paix – C. Remy (Adjunct-directeur van het Studiecentrum voor Veiligheid en Defensie)
14.30 u -15.00 u   Europäische Sicherheitsstrategie – A. Kammel (Directeur van het Institut für Europa)
15.00 u - 15.30 u  Le rôle des avocats dans les conflits internationaux – C. Lahaye (Ere-advocaat Balie Lille)
15.30 u - 16.00 u  Conclusies en slotwoord - A. Bloch
16.00 u - 17.30 u  Receptie
Wie wil intekenen op de congresakten, die worden verzorgd door Story Publishers (Brepols), kan dat hier.

maandag, oktober 22, 2018

YOUTUBE: Versailles, complot à la Cour du Roi Soleil (1995, Réunion des musées nationaux/Canal +/Cryo Interactive)



A most fortunate surprise: someone has published the contextual extracts from the marvelous historical role playing game Versailles: complot à la cour du roi Soleil (1995) on Youtube. Emulating this game on current computers almost never works. Yet, this extract illustrates the level of excellence achieved in this game, coproduced by the Réunion des musées nationaux and one of my favourite pastimes twenty years ago.

zaterdag, oktober 20, 2018

BOOK REVIEW: System, order and international law: the early history of international legal thought from Macchiavelli to Hegel (edited by S. Kadelbach, T. Kleinlein & D. Roth-Isigkeit), Comparative Legal History (Advance Article)

(image source: OUP)

My review of System, order and international law. The early history of international legal thought from Machiavelli to Hegel (eds. S. Kadelbach, T. Kleinlein & D. Roth-Isigkeit) has been published as an advance article on the journal of Comparative Legal History.

DOI 10.1080/2049677X.2018.1534785.

More information here.
More information on the book here.

vrijdag, september 28, 2018

CONFERENCE PAPER: Jean Rousset de Missy’s Les Intérêts présens de l’Europe (1733) as a political and legal mirror of diplomacy between sovereigns VIIth Splendid Encounters of the Premodern Diplomats Network: Conflict Resolution in Europe, 1300-1800] (Vilnius: Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, 27-28 SEP 2018)


Abstract:

International relations after the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) were characterized by a quest for interpretation of the agreement that had brought the conflict to an end. Franco-British understanding made the end of the conflict possible.[1] Yet, could this be lasting? France and Britain were geopolitical competitors. Moreover, the cornerstone of the agreement was the renunciation of Philip V of Spain to his hereditary rights to the French throne, in order to safeguard the balance of power in Europe[2]. Its solidity depended, in practice, on the willingness of the French court to prefer treaties over the lois fondamentales (fundamental laws or unwritten principles of constitutional order). Finally, the treaties concluded in April 1713 (Utrecht), March 1714 (Rastatt) and September 1714 (Baden) left many questions unanswered, especially in case new succession quarrels would pop up. Diplomats had recourse to legal advisers, treaty collections and doctrine, and gradually instated a system whereby the peace treaties of 1713-1714 became a blueprint to solve new quarrels.[3]Les intérêts présens de l’Europe (1733, 1735, 1741)[4] by the Huguenot Jean Rousset de Missy (1686-1762), a two-volume collection of pretentions and published legal documents dedicated to the House of Orange, presents a precious mirror of past, pending and potential new quarrels between European sovereigns.  Together with Jean Du Mont (1666-1727), Rousset was involved in the Corps universel diplomatique du droit des gens (1726-1731),[5] the most illustrious early modern collection of treaties between sovereigns and other legally relevant material.  Rousset’s collection is inspired on Schweder’s Theatrum Historicum Praetensionum (1727) initiated by Christoph Hermann Schweder and continued by Adam Friedrich Glafey (1692-1753), professor of the law of nations in Saxony[6], but merits more than a mere mention as a copy.
Rousset’s work is presented as a princely education manual, to introduce the young William Friso (1711-1751), who would become stadholder in 1747. Rousset presents not just the “interêts & Prétensions des Puissances de l’Europe », but foremost in a rigorous analysis, « examinées avec soin, d’après les Preuves tirées des Traitéz & des Ecrits publiez pour les soûtenir. » Rousset staunchly defended the diplomacy of the French Regent, Philip of Orléans (1715-1723). Orléans chose to continue the Franco-British alliance. He went to war against Philip V of Spain[7]. Rousset regularly indulges in political advice, conformably to his numerous journalistic writings.[8] This first layer of interpretation would do no justice to the intellectual complexity of Rousset’s work. Rousset synthetizes arguments on both, or all sides in succession quarrels, territorial disputes or debates on overlordship. This sticks closely to the practical operation of diplomacy in his age. Only arguments acceptable to one’s interlocutor could truly constitute a part of the law of nations applied between sovereigns, from the pope and the emperor to the republic of Venice and Genoa. Jean Rousset de Missy juggles with roman law, canon law, the law of nations, treaties, custom, feudal law, constitutional law, succession pacts or imperial law.[9] His powerful and rich analysis combines the chessboard of European sovereigns with the argumentative positions. Rousset unites geopolitical interest and law as a system of legitimacy, exceeding by far a listing exercise of the Intérêts and their Preuves.
 

[1] Lucien Bély, Espions et Ambassadeurs Au Temps de Louis XIV, ed. by Daniel Roche (Paris: Fayard, 1990).[2] Frederik Dhondt, ‘La Société Des Princes et Le Droit Des Gens. Réflexions Sur La Hiérarchie Des Normes et Les Lois Fondamentales Du Royaume Autour Des Renonciations de Philippe V d’Espagne (1712-1713)’, in Penser l’ordre Juridique Médiéval et Moderne. Regards Croisés Sur Les Méthodes Des Juristes, ed. by Nicolas Laurent-Bonne and Xavier Prévost, Contextes - Culture Du Droit (Paris: Lextenso/LGDJ, 2016), pp. 83–109.[3] Frederik Dhondt, Balance of Power and Norm Hierarchy. Franco-British Diplomacy after the Peace of Utrecht, Legal History Library, 17; Studies in the History of International Law, 7, 7 (Leiden/Boston: Martinus Nijhoff/Brill, 2015) .[4] Jean Rousset de Missy, Les Intérêts Présens Des Puissances de l’Europe, Fondez Sur Les Traitez Conclus Depuis La Paix d’Utrecht Inclusivement, & Sur Les Preuves de Leurs Prétentions Particulieres (La Haye: Adrien Moetjens, 1733).[5] Jean Dumont, Corps Universel Diplomatique Du Droit Des Gens, 8 vols (Amsterdam/The Hague: Brunel, Wetstein, L’Honoré & Chatelain/Husson & Levrier, 1726).[6] Frank-Steffen Schmidt, Praktisches Naturrecht Zwischen Thomasius Und Wolff: Der Völkerrechtler Adam Friedrich Glafey (1692-1753), Studien Zur Geschichte Des Völkerrechts; 12 (Baden: Nomos Verlag, 2007).[7] Frederik Dhondt, ‘“Arrestez et Pillez Contre Toute Sorte de Droit ”: Trade and the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-1720)’, Legatio: The Journal for Renaissance and Early Modern Diplomatic Studies, I (2017), 128–62 .[8]Marion Brétéché, Les Compagnons de Mercure : Journalisme et Politique Dans l’Europe de Louis XIV, Époques (Ceyzérieu: Champ Vallon, 2015).[9] Tamar Herzog, A Short History of European Law: The Last Two and a Half Millennia (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2018).
See here for the conference program.