114 research outputs found
Random Tilings: Concepts and Examples
We introduce a concept for random tilings which, comprising the conventional
one, is also applicable to tiling ensembles without height representation. In
particular, we focus on the random tiling entropy as a function of the tile
densities. In this context, and under rather mild assumptions, we prove a
generalization of the first random tiling hypothesis which connects the maximum
of the entropy with the symmetry of the ensemble. Explicit examples are
obtained through the re-interpretation of several exactly solvable models. This
also leads to a counterexample to the analogue of the second random tiling
hypothesis about the form of the entropy function near its maximum.Comment: 32 pages, 42 eps-figures, Latex2e updated version, minor grammatical
change
Institutionalising Kant's political philosophy: Foregrounding cosmopolitan right
There exists a longstanding debate over the global institutional implications of Immanuel Kant's political philosophy: does such a philosophy entail a federal world government, or instead only a confederal âleague of nationsâ? However, while the systematic nature of Kant's tripartite âdoctrine of right' is well recognised, this debate has been conducted with all but exclusive focus on âinternational right' in particular. This article, by contrast, brings âcosmopolitan right' firmly into view. It proceeds by way of engagement with the two Kantian arguments made in defence of a âleague of nationsâ in discussion of international right, each of which appeals to aspects of statesâ supposed âpersonhoodâ: the first appeals to statesâ distinctive moral personality; the second to statesâ physical manifestation. The article considers what happens when we assess these arguments not just in light of the demands of international right, but also in light of cosmopolitan right, and thus in light of public right more comprehensively. The answer is that such arguments cannot succeed as full defences of a league of nations. Indeed, when we assess such arguments with cosmopolitan right in view, they point instead â either tentatively or definitively â in the direction of world government
Legitimacy intermediation in the multilevel European polity and its collapse in the euro crisis
This essay re-examines the dual â republican and liberal â foundations of democratic legitimacy in the Western traditions of normative political theory. Considered in isolation, the European Union conforms to liberal standards but cannot satisfy republican criteria. Given these conflicting standards, debates on the alleged European democratic deficit have remained inconclusive. Moreover, they have failed to pay sufficient attention to the multilevel character of the European polity and to the normative potential of legitimacy intermediation in its two-step compliance and legitimating relationships. I argue, however, that the capacity of democratic member states to legitimate the exercise of European governing functions is being destroyed in the present euro crisis, and I briefly discuss the implications of this new constellation.In der westlichen Tradition der normativen politischen Theorie beruht demokratische LegitimitĂ€t auf der doppelten Grundlage republikanischer und liberaler Prinzipien. FĂŒr sich betrachtet entspricht die EuropĂ€ische Union zwar liberalen Kriterien, aber eben nicht den republikanischen Anforderungen. Angesichts so unterschiedlicher Kriterien konnte es auch im Streit ĂŒber das angebliche europĂ€ische Demokratiedefizit keine Einigung geben. Ăberdies ignorierte diese Diskussion den Mehrebenen-Charakter der europĂ€ischen Politik und das normative Potenzial der Legitimationsvermittlung zwischen Union und BĂŒrgern durch die demokratisch verfassten Mitgliedstaaten. Die gegenwĂ€rtige Eurokrise allerdings zerstört die FĂ€higkeit demokratischer Mitgliedstaaten, die AusĂŒbung europĂ€ischer Herrschaftsfunktionen zu legitimieren. Der Aufsatz erörtert die Implikationen dieser neuen Konstellation.1 Introduction 2 Legitimacy discourses The republican discourse The liberal discourse Differences 3 Constitutional democracies â and the European Union? 4 Legitimacy intermediation in the multilevel European polity 5 The end of legitimacy intermediation in the euro crisis Monetary Union and the failure of output legitimacy Rescuing the euro through supranational intervention 6 Legitimate supranational government? Input-oriented European legitimacy? 7 Reducing the burden on European legitimacy Reference
Das Unternehmen einer Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten
Bittner R. Das Unternehmen einer Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten. In: Höffe O, ed. Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten: ein kooperativer Kommentar. Frankfurt, Main: Klostermann; 1989: 13-30
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