The extensive critical response to George Lindbeck's book, The Nature of Doctrine, has frequently overlooked the author's own primary intent to propose an innovative 'grammatical' approach to the function of doctrine (or 'rule theory'), which would explicate, and replicate, observed ecumenical instances of doctrinal 'reconciliation without capitulation'. This current research evaluates and tests, in a way which has not previously been undertaken by either Lindbeck or his critics, the extent to which a regulative approach to doctrine can provide a fruitful model with which to approach current ecclesial conflicts. This will be achieved by applying a modified version of rule theory within the case study of a contemporary ecclesial conflict. Following a clarification and modification of Lindbeck's rule theory, I undertook a qualitative analysis of Christian liturgies, autobiographical accounts and position statements in the context of a single controversy (Church of England debates concerning same-sex relationships), to assess the extent to which a modified version of rule theory would provide a useful model with which to approach similar contemporary ecclesial conflicts. An analysis of the beliefs and practices of representative groups (as evident within their liturgies, autobiographical accounts, and descriptions of 'faithful discipleship') was undertaken, to ascertain whether operative regulative principles, akin to 'grammar', could be identified, and to test whether a comparison of identified 'grammars' would prove reconciliatory. The research discovered that the operative 'grammar' of different representative groups could be identified and compared, and that the modified version of rule theory had the ability to: disentangle debates about apparently inexorably conflicted positions over particular practices or beliefs; and facilitate a deeper understanding of the regulative principles which shaped interlocutors' practices and beliefs, which would make a valuable contribution to the debate, but not necessarily in an immediately reconciliatory way. Consequently, this research has discovered that a modified version of rule theory does provide a helpful model with which to approach contemporary controversies, offering the potential for both the discovery of 'grammatical' coherence where it is present, and the identification of the true location and extent of 'grammatical' differences if they are present. Therefore, the modified version of rule theory under consideration is shown to provide a basis for dialogue which may variously lead to: a recognition of previously obscured 'grammatical' coherence; a form of reconciled diversity; the identification of promising areas for the negotiation of a new shared 'grammar'; or the recognition of the presence of irreconcilably divergent 'grammars', which may, in some instances, lead to a degree of ecclesial separation.

No description available.

The decolonisation of Macau on 20 December 1999 marked a powerful transition for the small Macanese community. Prior to transfer of sovereignty, there have been grave concerns for the survival of these miscegenic descendants of the Portuguese settlers who came to China some five hundred years ago. Many feared that there would be a mass exodus similar to that which overtook the former Portuguese colonies in Africa and East Timor, and that the Macanese future would be threatened by the process of Sinicisation – in short, that they are a dying race. This thesis examines such fears using a combination of newspaper survey, extensive fieldwork and repeat interviews. The outcome of the research shows that despite the dire prognostication, the community has survived the first five years of Chinese rule in robust form; the feared exodus did not eventuate and there has been no death to speak of. In the post-colonial environment, the Constitutions (Macau Basic Law) obliges the government to respect Macanese customs and cultural traditions and to protect their rights – at least for fifty years. The Macanese community in Macau is likely to continue to transform itself and adapt to a changing environment. It is likely that the transformation will occur over a long period of time, representing generations, perhaps centuries not decades. It is then more appropriate to view the Macanese community in Macau as an endangered – not dying – species / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The main question in this research project is whether regional integration promotes the rule of law in ASEAN. The thesis has adopted a functional, rather than conceptual, approach to understanding the rule of law and its development in regional integration. While the approach reflects an instrumentalist function of the rule of law, the study provides a holistic and interdisciplinary approach taking account of the legal, insitutional, and political processes in the state, the region, and international relations to show the motivations and interests of member states in adopting a peculiar type of regional arrangement. The research project has taken the European Union for comparison, not as a model in the strict sense, to identify the development of legal and institutional processes that build the foundation of the rule of law and the factors that drive the evolution of state-like constitutionalism. Common legal tradition of the rule of law, leadership role of key member states, and regional institution building ??? are the main processes in the development of the rule of law in the EU and are either lacking, different, or weak in the context of ASEAN. However, an evolving form of the rule of law exists in ASEAN. The rule of law in ASEAN integration is designed to provide a stable and coherent framework for interstate relations among member states and to achieve effective implementation of the member states??? economic commitments. ASEAN has adopted an instrumentalist conception of the rule of law and one based on ???thin??? constitutionalism, as reflected in the ASEAN Charter. The features of the rule of law in ASEAN are ??? state-controlled, limited, evolutionary and resting on soft legal regime. ASEAN has chosen a different path at regional integration and globalization has offered new techniques of the rule of law. Regionalism in ASEAN remains statist in character and the ASEAN Way is still entrenched. There are significant developments towards adopting a broader basis of regional cooperation and opportunities for developing the rule of law in ASEAN. To broaden the function of the rule of law in regional integration, as a mechanism of accountability and as a form or restraint, ASEAN needs to adopt initiatives aimed at expanding political participation and respect for human rights. The European Union offer points of learning for ASEAN in achieving a broader function for the rule of law in ASEAN integration.

With the increasing demand of higher operating frequencies for electronic circuits, the printed circuit board designers face more electromagnetic radiation problems than ever. Some “rules-of-thumb” are employed to help the designers to reduce the radiation problems. The 20H rule is one of printed circuit design rules, which intends to minimize the electromagnetic radiation. This project focuses on analysis and simulation of 20H rule’s signal propagation mechanisms. The model used in the project is a 2D planar structure. The numerical electromagnetic method, Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method, is used for the field computation and analysis. Simulation is based on various structures of model and different distributions of excitation sources. Analysis focuses on the signal propagation models. Field distributions and radiation patterns are visualized by mathematical software. Meanwhile, Poynting vectors are calculated to give quantitative expression. The simulation results indicate three factors, namely, operating frequency, size of PCB and separation distance that will affect the function of 20H rule. The effects of three factors are shown by comparison of specific cases in this thesis. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2001. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 61 p.; also contains graphics. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-60).

This study examines injury in competitive bodychecking and non-body checking youth ice hockey in male and female leagues in Ontario and Quebec. This study consisted of three parts: (1) quantifying the amount of injuries; (2) document situational factors in which hockey injuries occur; (3) observe play and interview parents to understand deeper subjective feelings towards injury and bodychecking. The research utilized a mixed method approach consisting of game observation, postgame injury assessments and semi-structured interviewing with parents. For this thesis, 56 games total were attended and only parents from the bodychecking team were interviewed. All games were video recorded through a dual camera video system. Game footage was then analyzed frame by frame to pinpoint injury locations, points of impact and situational factors surrounding the injury. Field-notes and interviews with parents allowed for a comprehensive look into the feelings and emotions surrounding injury and bodychecking. Results from the research revealed; 1) a disproportionately higher rate of injury in bodychecking hockey comparared to non-bodychecking male and female hockey; 2) an overwhelming percentage of injuries were the result of player and board contact; 3) majority of injuries occurred on legal play; and 4) parents support the concept of delaying bodychecking till later ages.

Based on the domestic model of law, many assume that the global rule of law requires a world government with a central law-making body, a hierarchical court system, and a supranational system of coercive enforcement. Since there are important problems with the practicality and desirability of a world government, I defend a decentralized conception of the global rule of law without a world government. I begin by examining Immanuel Kant’s theory since he argued that a supreme sovereign is required for a lawful condition within states while recognizing certain limitations with applying this idea to the international level. I argue that Kant proposed a voluntary league of states without coercive public law in part because a supreme coercive authority at the global level would conflict with the sovereignty of nation-states and undermine the civil condition within states. In Chapter Two, I argue that theories of dispersed or shared sovereignty can resolve this problem. However, since there are further problems with even a federal world government, I consider whether the rule of law can be developed without a world government. I argue that the most important feature for the global rule of law is the impartial determination, interpretation and application of international law by various authoritative adjudicative and administrative institutions. There are two important challenges to my view. First, many argue that international law is not really “law” unless it is effectively enforced through a central system of sanctions; without this, it can at most create moral obligations but not true legal obligations. To the extent that such arguments assume a coercion-based conception of law, my response draws on H.L.A. Hart’s rejection of the command theory of law. The second challenge concerns democratic legitimacy. I argue that global administrative law can partly address concerns with legitimacy by using rule of law principles to limit the arbitrary exercise of power by transnational institutions and increase their accountability.

No description available.