The fate of the Assyrian minority in early independent Iraq: a test case of political violence based on rational primordialism

Analyzing ethno-national conflicts is usually not easy in that not all quantitative scientific tools are useful to the student of a conflict based on primordial elements. The burden of studying the outcome of a conflict is all the more complex given that the two conflicting groups might be at two different stages of their political development at any given time during the course of the conflict. In the case of the fate of the [Eastern Christian] Assyrian community in early independent Iraq, the political rationale for decisions taken by each party was drawn from different sociological, historical and political realms. Decisions in times of conflict and their political and historical ramifications are not always rational, since they draw upon primordial/communal considerations rather than the accurate reading of the overall true strategic scene.

The violence was an outcome of a combination of primordial differences and rational choice. The Iraqis sought to establish a new sovereign state with minimal disturbances from its Christian minority that they perceived as not belonging to the new nation. As for the Assyrians, they chose violence believing that at least some superpowers would support them. Historically, this rational decision based upon a primordial dispute turned out to be a mistake primarily because of lack of external support, weak internal cohesion of the group, and feeble leadership.     

Transborder data flow issues and technology transfer

Transborder data flow and technology transfer issues have a substantial overlap. Transborder data flows represent flows of information with economic and/or cultural value. Electronic access to “know-how”, information, data, etc. is becoming more and more important to technology transfer and sharing. National transborder data flow policies either affect or can themselves be technology transfer policies.     

Technology transfer at land-grant universities

Improvement in the ability of universities in the United States to transfer technology to the private sector is seen as a factor in strengthening American competitiveness. To better understand the university's role in this process, a survey of formal university programs in technology transfer was performed through personal interviews at four midwestern land-grant universities. There are six basic types of programs in place: technical assistance, affiliate, licensing, business development, incubators and research parks, and information networks. For purposes of classifying these programs, we used the model developed by Janis et al. (1) It was found that, of the six modes of technology transfer, two could be considered active, three semi-active and one passive.     

Auswirkungen des Umweltrechts auf eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung*

Das Umweltrecht nimmt in vielfältigen Formen und Verfahren Einfluss auf die Regionalplanung als (Haupt-)Instrument nachhaltiger Regionalentwicklung. Der Beitrag beleuchtet dies unter rechtlichen Aspekten und bezieht hierzu Stellung. Die Kritik richtet sich u. a. auf die Heterogenität umweltrechtlicher Agenden und die eingeschränkte Sanktionierung von Verstößen gegen Vorgaben des Umweltrechts. * Schriftliche Fassung eines Vortrags auf dem Kongress Steuerungsimpulse für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung am 24./25. 11. 2004 in Greifswald. Verf. ist Inhaber eines Lehrstuhls für öffentliches Recht und Geschäftsführender Direktor des Ostseeinstituts für Seerecht, Umweltrecht und Infrastrukturrecht, Universität Rostock.     

Potential role of the MNC as an agent of technology transfer for economic development

There is evidence that the multinational corporation (MNC) and a developing nation may have a set of mutually beneficial goals. This article investigates the goals of the multinational corporation and the goals of a developing nation. It then illustrates the mutual benefits in terms of resource identification, and technology selection and development. A planning mechanism is suggested. Finally, some guide lines are offered that should enhance the probability of cooperation.     

Hochwasserschutz im Spannungsverhältnis zum übrigen Fachplanungsrecht, Raumordnungsrecht und zur Bauleitplanung

Durch das Oderhochwasser, aber vor allem durch die Flutkatastrophe an der Elbe im August 2002, ist der Hochwasserschutz verstärkt in das öffentliche Bewusstsein getreten. Dies hat auf der Ebene von Bund und Ländern zu verschiedenen Aktionen geführt, die sich nunmehr in Gesetzesänderungen niederschlagen sollen 1. Der Hochwasserschutz kann dabei durchaus in ein Spannungsverhältnis zu anderen öffentlichen und privaten Anliegen und Belangen treten—vor allem, wenn sich aus deren Sicht Einschränkungen für die bauliche oder sonstige Nutzung der betroffenen Flächen ergeben können. Ein wichtiger Teilausschnitt aus diesem Gesamtproblem ist das Spannungsverhältnis des Hochwasserschutzes zum übrigen Fachplanungsrecht, zum Raumordnungsrecht und zur Bauleitplanung. Hierüber soll auf der Grundlage des vorliegenden Gesetzentwurfs der Bundesregierung zum verbesserten Hochwasserschutz berichtet werden. *) Der Beitrag beruht auf einem Vortrag, den der Verfasser auf dem 9. Leipziger Umweltrechts-Symposium Rechtliche Aspekte des vorbeugenden Hochwasserschutzes am 22. 4. 2004 gehalten hat und der auch in dem von dem Direktoren des Instituts für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht, Prof. Dr. Martin Oldiges und Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Köck betreuten Tagungsband erscheinen wird.     

Contents of Volume 22 (2003)

Volume Contents

Contents of Volume 22 (2003)     

A Constitution for Antidiscrimination: Exploring the Vanguard Moment of Community Law

It is a commonplace that 'non-discrimination' is a fundamental principle of Community Law. If the principle is taken to express a broader commitment to equality, however, there appears to be something quite unusual about it. When compared with the standards set by modern constitutional law, the commitment to equality is, at least with respect to Member State action, less extensive; in the context of indirect gender discrimination, however, the principle acquires remarkable scope. Although this 'vanguard moment' of Community Law is tacitly acknowledged in the practice of the ECJ, it is, at the same time, subdued; the resources of the principle might be tapped, however, by moving toward a constitution for antidiscrimination. The article explores both the philosophical presuppositions and the institutional context of what could become a constitutionalisation of antidiscrimination at the level of Community Law.