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Julius Kraft

Bio: Julius Kraft is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Philosophy of law & Scientific law. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 361 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The article by M.C. Fryde on modern corporations is largely devoted to explanation of the Berle and Means thesis on the control of modern corporations and the supporting findings of the T.N.E..
Abstract: The single article by M. Fryde on modern corporations is largely devoted to explanation of the Berle and Means thesis on the control of modern corporations and the supporting findings of the T.N.E.C. The author compares this point of view to that of James Burnham to the latter's disadvantage. Although this is by no means an original approach, supporting conclusions by some French and German writers not always available in translation give this article some value. The article on Andrew Wolan by C. Jarra is the only one that provides something new for the American or English reader. Wolan was evidently a leading writer and politician in the Calvinist movement in Eastern Europe, although it is not clear what his writings and leadership contributed to modern Poland. On the whole, this volume suffers from a lack of integration or plan. In addition, no subject touched upon was explored with any high degree of thoroughness. Finally, the prefatory note that \"the authors . . . do not necessarily represent the views of the Association,\" seems somewhat futile since very few distinct points of view are expressed. This latter omission, though regrettable, was perhaps deliberate and is understandable.

395 citations


Cited by
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Book
Jennifer Gandhi1
08 Sep 2008
TL;DR: The use of institutions to co-opt 4. Institutions and policies under dictatorship 5. Instit institutions and outcomes under dictatorship as mentioned in this paper 6. The world of dictatorial institutions and the survival of dictators
Abstract: 1. The world of dictatorial institutions 2. Three illustrative cases 3. The use of institutions to co-opt 4. Institutions and policies under dictatorship 5. Institutions and outcomes under dictatorship 6. Institutions and the survival of dictators.

1,072 citations

Book
07 Jun 2010
TL;DR: This paper analyzed the sources of widespread dissatisfaction with democracies around the world and concluded that some of this dissatisfaction occurs for good reason, some is based on an erroneous understanding of how democracy functions.
Abstract: The political institutions under which we live today evolved from a revolutionaryideathatshooktheworldinthesecondpartoftheeighteenth century: that a people should govern itself. Nevertheless, if we judge contemporary democracies by the ideals of self-government, equality, and liberty, we find that democracy is not what it was dreamt to be. This book addresses central issues in democratic theory by analyzing the sources of widespread dissatisfaction with democracies around the world. With attention throughout to historical and cross-national variations, the focus is on the generic limits of democracy in promoting equality, effective participation, control of governments by citizens, and liberty. The conclusion is that, although some of this dissatisfaction occurs for good reason, some is based on an erroneous understanding of how democracy functions. Hence, although the analysis identifies the limits of democracy, it also points to directions for feasible reforms.

348 citations

Book
01 Nov 2001
TL;DR: Bartelson as mentioned in this paper investigates the concept of the state historically as well as philosophically, considering a range of thinkers and theories, and considers the vexed issue of authority: modern political discourse questions the form and content of authority, but makes it all but impossible to talk about the foundations of authority.
Abstract: What kind of political order would there be in the absence of the state? Jens Bartelson argues that we are currently unable to imagine what might lurk 'beyond', because our basic concepts of political order are conditioned by our experience of statehood. In this study, he investigates the concept of the state historically as well as philosophically, considering a range of thinkers and theories. He also considers the vexed issue of authority: modern political discourse questions the form and content of authority, but makes it all but impossible to talk about the foundations of authority. Largely due to the existing practices of political and scientific criticism, authority appears to be unquestionable. Bartelson's wide-ranging and readable discussion of the suppositions and presuppositions of statehood will be of interest to scholars and upper-level students of political theory and social theory, and philosophy of social science.

173 citations

Book
16 Nov 2014
TL;DR: The work of the Onlife initiative as mentioned in this paper explores how the development and widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) have a radical impact on the human condition and explores how ICTs are not mere tools but rather social forces that are increasingly affecting our self-conception (who we are), our mutual interactions (how we socialise); our conception of reality (our metaphysics); and our interactions with reality (Our agency).
Abstract: What is the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the human condition? In order to address this question, in 2012 the European Commission organized a research project entitled The Onlife Initiative: concept reengineering for rethinking societal concerns in the digital transition. This volume collects the work of the Onlife Initiative. It explores how the development and widespread use of ICTs have a radical impact on the human condition. ICTs are not mere tools but rather social forces that are increasingly affecting our self-conception (who we are), our mutual interactions (how we socialise); our conception of reality (our metaphysics); and our interactions with reality (our agency). In each case, ICTs have a huge ethical, legal, and political significance, yet one with which we have begun to come to terms only recently. The impact exercised by ICTs is due to at least four major transformations: the blurring of the distinction between reality and virtuality; the blurring of the distinction between human, machine and nature; the reversal from information scarcity to information abundance; and the shift from the primacy of stand-alone things, properties, and binary relations, to the primacy of interactions, processes and networks. Such transformations are testing the foundations of our conceptual frameworks. Our current conceptual toolbox is no longer fitted to address new ICT-related challenges. This is not only a problem in itself. It is also a risk, because the lack of a clear understanding of our present time may easily lead to negative projections about the future. The goal of The Manifesto, and of the whole book that contextualises, is therefore that of contributing to the update of our philosophy. It is a constructive goal. The book is meant to be a positive contribution to rethinking the philosophy on which policies are built in a hyperconnected world, so that we may have a better chance of understanding our ICT-related problems and solving them satisfactorily. The Manifesto launches an open debate on the impacts of ICTs on public spaces, politics and societal expectations toward policymaking in the Digital Agenda for Europe’s remit. More broadly, it helps start a reflection on the way in which a hyperconnected world calls for rethinking the referential frameworks on which policies are built.

171 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the quality of democracy is defined as a synthesis of political freedom and political equality, and the implications of this substantive assumption are discussed. But, what is the real quality of a democracy?
Abstract: Works on the quality of democracy propose standards for evaluating politics beyond those encompassed by a minimal definition of democracy. Yet, what is the quality of democracy? This article first reconstructs and assesses current conceptualizations of the quality of democracy. Thereafter, it reconceptualizes the quality of democracy by equating it with democracy pure and simple, positing that democracy is a synthesis of political freedom and political equality, and spelling out the implications of this substantive assumption. The proposal is to broaden the concept of democracy to address two additional spheres: government decision-making – political institutions are democratic inasmuch as a majority of citizens can change the status quo – and the social environment of politics – the social context cannot turn the principles of political freedom and equality into mere formalities. Alternative specifications of democratic standards are considered and reasons for discarding them are provided.

160 citations