Democratic Legitimacy in the Bund or ‘Federation of States’: the Cases of Belgium and the EU

Carl Schmitt developed the concept of the ‘federation of states’ (Bund) in order to characterise intermediate constitutional systems which are integrated beyond the level of a confederation (Staatenbund) without, however, acquiring the level of integration of an actual federal state (Bundesstaat). In this paper we analyse the constitutional specificity of the ‘federation of states’ and present three normative principles for assessing the democratic legitimacy of the decision‐making procedures within such a federation. We argue that both the European Union and Belgium can be analysed as instances of such a federation of states and show how this characterisation improves our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of both polities and the constitutional and democratic challenges they are facing.     

The medical provision of hydration and nutrition: two very different outcomes in Victoria and Florida

Decisions to withhold or withdraw medical hydration and nutrition are amongst the most difficult that confront patients and their families, medical and other health professionals all over the world. This article discusses two cases relating to lawful withdrawal and withholding of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG) from incompetent patients with no hope of recovery. Victoria and Florida have statutory frameworks that provide for advance directives, however in both Gardner; Re BWV and Schindler v Schiavo; Re Schiavo the respective patients did not leave documented instructions. The article analyses the two cases and their outcomes from legal, medical and ethical perspectives.     

美国医疗纠纷替代性解决机制研析

美国医疗纠纷替代性纠纷解决机制卓有成效,其不仅包含作为传统非讼手段的调解、仲裁、和解,还创设出监察员制度、事实调查、建立共识、混合式ADR、聘雇退休法官程序、微型审理、简易陪审团审判、诉前审查庭等多种方式。因受到司法机关与行政单位的重视和民间团体的大力支持,美国ADR制度已经发展成为与民事诉讼制度双轨并行、相互补充的重要纠纷解决机制。针对我国今年医闹事件频发,伤医事件愈演愈烈的情况,将ADR机制导引入国内医疗纠纷领域,不失为一条缓和医患关系、促进医患沟通、妥善解决医疗纠纷的有效可行的途径。     

A line already drawn: the case for voluntary euthanasia after the withdrawal of life-sustaining hydration and nutrition

When life-sustaining hydration and nutrition is withheld from an incompetent and immobile patient like Terri Schiavo, death comes to the patient by dehydration within about two weeks. Americans should be permitted to arrange for euthanasia at that point, as opposed to merely dehydrating to death, and should be able to incorporate their desire for euthanasia into an advance directive. A state constitutional right of privacy could provide the legal avenue permitting effectuation of such a choice.     

United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS

The United Nations General Assembly Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS calls for a fundamental shift in the response to HIV/AIDS.     

俄罗斯联邦检察制度及其对我国的启示

中俄两国的检察制度和检察理论,有着许多的相同点.目前,中俄两国又同处于转型期,面临着许多相同或相似的问题.自1990年至今,俄罗斯联邦一直都在进行包括检察制度改革在内的司法改革.[1]研究俄罗斯联邦检察制度的经验,对我国检察制度的改革与完善有着重要的借鉴意义.