MASTERCLASS: International Law and Constitutional Development in 19th Century Europe (Ghent Law Faculty, Moot Court Room, 25 June, 14:30)

On Thursday 25 June, I will give a masterclass with dr. Judit Beke-Martos (Universität Jena/Universität Mannheim, currently Visiting Fellow at the Ghent Legal History Institute) on International Law and Constitutional Development in 19th Century Europe. All participants are welcome, either to listen or to engage in a hopefully lively and stimulating discussion.

The event takes place at the Ghent Law Faculty, in the Moot Court Room at 14:30.

Summary:

Present-day lawyers look back at the 19th century as a repository of amusing “antiquities”, or, at best, as the cradle of the Belgian Constitution or the Civil Code. Politicians often snub the era of “Napoleon” or “old jurisprudence”, either by blatant ignorance or shrewd opportunism, in order to sell own short-sighted ad hoc “réformettes” in a 16 seconds-quote. Yet, the study of the past offers a unique surrogate for lack of personal experience. As such, legal history is the most valuable asset for policy-makers and an efficient handmaiden for scholars interested in the structure of legal rules.

The present interactive masterclass proposes to address the highly political issues of legitimacy, sovereignty and multi-level governance. An evergreen of legal theory, public law and international law, but an especially challenging and relevant topic for the “century of revolutions” stretching from 1776 to 1917. The masterclass will consist of two parts. The first section will be a presentation by dr. F. Dhondt (UGent) on public international law. Dr. J. Beke-Martos (visiting in Ghent, Univ. Mannheim/Jena) will present the case of constitutional order in the composite Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Registration required: Karin.Pensaert@UGent.be.
More information here.

Update (1 July 2015): slides available in the UGent Repository.