This study focuses on orthodoxy and mysticism in the religious thought of Shaikh Mul,tammad ibn Tahir al-Fattani (914/1508-986/1578), a sixteenth century Sunui Rohra scholar. Islam had persistently presented two faces: one that was shari ah­ minded and concerned with the outward, socially cognizable behaviour and anothE'r mystkal-minded, concerned with the inward, personal life of the individual. The former was the domain of the "ulama", whereas the Sufi pirs accepted the care of the latter. While there were always those who accepted the one face of Islam as genuine and mistrusted the other or even regarded it as spurious, Shaikh al-Fattani succeecded in marrying the two. He was at once both a mystic pir and an orthodox religious scholar. A biography of Mul}ammad ibn Tahir al-Fattani based on the previous works is attempted with the aim being to collect the factual information pertaining directly to the details of his life. The last years of Shaikh al-F'attani's life were devoted to his reform involvement in his community and particularly to the removal of the Mahdawiyyah thoughts of Sayyid Muhammad Jawnpuri)who had declared himself the promised Mahdi. Against this backdrop of the life account of al-Fattani elements of orthodoxy and mysticism are identified in his scholarly works. Best known for his work Majma bihar al-anwar fi gharaib al-tanzil wa lataif al-akhbir, all the extant works of the Shaikh are discussed. To understand tbe subject within the context of his ethnic identity, aspects of the Bohra community are studied . lt is shown that their occupation as merchants and a history that emphasised their ancient link to the faith of Islam were some of the factors that shaped their group identity. Religious affiliation of the Bohras is explored in detail and after examining the various religious groupings it is evident that the principal communities amongst them differ substantially in their belief systems. Muslims of Sunni Bohra descent are to be found in South Africa. The Sunni Bohra community in general and their ulama in particular are today constantly challenged to not only be devoted to orthodoxy but to sufi doctrine and discipline as well. / Religious studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

Thesis (MA (Political Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2009. / In recent years it has become increasingly evident that the idea of the state as a universal (Western) type of governance structure, i.e. a set of bureaucratic institutions headed by a central government with the capacity and interest to govern all of its territory, is incongruent with realities on the ground, particularly within the African continent. The 1990s has been a critical period in the evolution of African statehood, during which old strategies of state control have broken down. While this has given rise to a debate on the ‘failure’ of African statehood, it has also led to attempts to revise and expand theories and concepts of statehood and set off a search for more indigenous and empirically viable alternatives to the state as it was devised by the European colonizers. This thesis aims at contributing to the debate on the challenges and potentials of contemporary African statehood by investigating the case of de facto statehood in Somaliland emerging on the backdrop of state failure in Somalia. The collapse of the de jure state of the Republic of Somalia in 1991 provided an opportunity for Somaliland to fundamentally redefine the pillars of statehood and governance. This entailed the combining of modern institution building with traditional practices of governance, to in this way bolster the capacity and legitimacy of the new de facto state in the north of what is formally recognized as Somalia. Drawing on the analytical framework of ‘mediated state’ provided by Ken Menkhaus, this thesis explores Somaliland’s self-reliant path to state formation as well as the governance structures which underpin its contemporary statehood. Particular attention is given to the role of traditional authorities as driving forces behind state formation and as a means of complementing the under-capacitated state institutions. The study thus relates to the debate on the resurgence of traditional leadership in Africa. The resurgence of traditional leadership within governance is a tendency which is part of a broader development of the reconfiguration of the state in Africa since the early 1990s – a tendency which introduces new possibilities, as well as new risks, in terms of reconstituting new viable governance structures. The study concludes that Somaliland’s approach to state formation demonstrates an impressive indigenous alternative to externally driven top-down attempts to revive centralized statehood, and that the case also challenges the perception that the breakdown of old strategies of state control necessarily leads to generalized anarchy. The study, however, also points out some risks involved in the exercise of the state and the traditional authorities ‘converting’ different forms of power between different realms of governance, and concludes that collaboration between the state and traditional authorities does not per se counteract undemocratic governance practices. On this basis the study suggests that the new ambiguous roles of traditional authorities within governance in Africa merit more academic attention.

Darbe atskleidžiama preliminariosios viešųjų pirkimų sutarties instituto samprata, aptariama paskirtis, įrodoma, jog šis institutas yra specifinis ir modernus teisinis įrankis, leidžiantis optimizuoti viešųjų pirkimų procedūrų vykdymą. Darbe nuosekliai išanalizuojamas ir paaiškinamas šiuo metu galiojantis su preliminariosios viešųjų pirkimų sutarties institutu tiesiogiai/netiesiogiai susijęs teisinis reguliavimas. Ypatingas dėmesys skiriamas tų teisės normų, kurios potencialiai gali sukelti jų probleminį praktinį pritaikymą, aptarimui, taip pat pateikiama nemažai situacinių pavyzdžių ir hipotetinių problemų sprendimų variantų. / This paper deals with the conception of the Institute of Framework Agreement in Public Procurement. Purposes of concluding such agreements are discussed, the point about this institute as a specific and modern legal mean, which optimizes the performance of public procurement procedures, is substantiated. The current legal regulation of the institute of framework agreement in public procurement is analysed coherently. Ambiguous legal rules, which generate potential problems of use of these agreements in practice, are taken as one of the main topics for consideration. There are also situational examples and various hypothetical practical problems solutions proposed in this paper.

Nées dans l'incertitude, les autorités administratives indépendantes semblent aujourd'hui durablement implantées dans le paysage institutionnel français. Le succès remporté par la catégorie juridique ne saurait, toutefois, éluder les questions que posent ces instances vis-à-vis des principes fondateurs de la démocratie moderne. Au regard des schémas ordinaires de la théorie de la représentation, les autorités administratives indépendantes constituent, en effet, une déviation du système démocratique. Pourtant, une conception renouvelée de la théorie politique permet d'établir ces organismes comme de potentielles entités démocratiques. En dehors des rouages traditionnels de l'Etat, la formule institutionnelle révèle la possibilité d'une démocratie enrichie et ressourcée. Reste que, sous peine de ruiner l'originalité de l'objet juridique, les pouvoirs publics et les corps constitués doivent prendre la mesure du phénomène par un ajustement du contrôle juridictionnel et un aménagement du contrôle politique. / Despite uncertain beginnings, independent administrative authorities now appear implanted once and for all in the French institutional landscape. However, the success of this legal category must be confronted with the founding principles of modern democracy. By comparison with the dominating theory of representation, independent administrative authorities constitute, in fact, a deviation from the democratic system. Yet a renewed conception of political theory enables these organisations to be considered as genuine democratic entities. Beyond traditional state structures, their institutional configuration reveals the possibility of an enriched and revitalised democracy. Nevertheless, both government and state bodies must take stock of the impact of this phenomenon by adjusting both judicial and political controls; otherwise, the originality of this legal subject could be ruined.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to evaluate the efficiency of local governance in selected municipalities in the Ústecký region based on analysis of the use of finance. The theoretical part is devoted to the issues of public administration, governance and local budgeting with emphasis on the possibilities of evaluating the efficiency. The research focuses on the analysis of current and capital expenditure on development activities and solving local and regional problems - unemployment and social exclusion - for the period 2002 - 2012. Further research focuses on the use of EU funds. It was able to demonstrate the existence of significant differences in the efficiency of governance on the example of surveyed municipalities. Most of the local governments support short-term projects, whose benefits for local development are minimal, instead of investing in development and problem solving. Keywords: local authorities, selfgovernment, budget, structural funds, efficiency

This thesis provides a comprehensive overview of insurance supervision in the Czech and European law. First part outlines the basic concepts and then briefly discusses the evolution of supervision in the Czech lands. The thesis observes expanding goals of insurance supervision and growing number of institutions performing the supervision during the history. Next part follows insurance supervision in terms of applicable regulations according to the Czech law and establishes list of entities under supervision, deals with supervisory authority and its competences, and proceeds to breakdown the subject of supervision. It also focuses on oversight by individual sectoral laws and offers a view of the upcoming changes. The work also presents insurance supervision from the perspective of the European law. It deals with the requirements that EU law on supervision poses, as well as the newly established authorities of macro- and micro-prudential supervision. In the conclusion section the upcoming changes in supervision of the insurance industry are discussed.

La péréquation française est devenue un enjeu fort des finances publiques locales. La croissance des moyens financiers et du nombre de dispositifs consacrés à la réduction des inégalités entre collectivités territoriales en est l’illustration. Malgré la mise en œuvre de péréquations nationales aux résultats encourageants, la cohérence et la complexité des mécanismes restent à parfaire. L’incapacité législative à contenir la péréquation dans un cadre stable et délimité n’est pas étrangère aux difficultés à appréhender la conciliation entre deux grands principes : la liberté et l’égalité. A ce titre, les grandes théories de la justice redistributive développées depuis le siècle des Lumières sont à considérer. Au contraire de la Loi fondamentale allemande, la Constitution française permet au législateur d’organiser très librement la solidarité inter-collectivités, d’autant que le juge constitutionnel, précurseur et gardien du droit à la péréquation, exerce en la matière, un contrôle incomplet au détriment de l’autonomie financière et fiscale des collectivités. A partir des fondements théoriques et positifs de la péréquation, un droit effectif et respectueux de l’autonomie locale reste à construire afin de corriger les insuffisances d’un système péréquateur récemment modifié par la réforme des lois de finances pour 2010 et 2011. / The financial equalisation system in France has become crucial in the management of local authorities. By way of illustration, there is an ongoing growth of financial resources, systems and plans of action to reduce inequalities between local governments and districts. Despite the encouraging results in the national equalisation implementation, its consistency and complexity mechanisms are to be enhanced. The disability to define freedom and equality contains the legislator in the design of stable and defined framework for equalisation. As such, the theory on a uniform distribution raised since the Age of Enlightenment, is to be considered. Unlike the German laws and regulation, the legislator is free to set up rules of financial interdependency among local authorities in the French Constitution. The constitutional judge, precursor and equalisation decision-maker, supervise an insufficient control to the detriment of financial and fiscal autonomy of local authorities. From the basis of equalisation benefits, there are some evident difficulties surrounding the limit of this system in respect to the degree of local authority’s financial autonomy. An operational review of both horizontal and vertical equalisation mechanisms, as well as the choice of redistribution criteria should be undertaken. The stakes are high to adjust and put right the shortcomings of the equalisation system, recently modified by a financial regulation reform for 2010 and 2011.

Syftet med studien var att utifrån socialarbetares och kvinnors perspektiv belysa socialtjänstens arbete med hjälp och stöd till våldsutsatta kvinnor med missbruk. I uppsatsen har en kvalitativ metod använts för att genomföra fem intervjuer. Tre av respondenterna var socialarbetare och två respondenter var kvinnor med tidigare erfarenheter av våld och missbruk. Två teoretiska perspektiv, socialkonstruktivistisk utgångspunkt och feministisk teori, har använts för att tolka och analysera resultatet från intervjuerna. I resultatet framkommer att det är av stor vikt att synliggöra denna särskilt utsatta grupp och deras behov. Resultatet visar att socialarbetare upplever att det inte finns tillräcklig kunskap eller hjälp i form av strategier för att hjälpa dessa kvinnor. Det framkommer åsikter från kvinnorna att de upplevt bristfälligt stöd och bemötande från myndigheter samt omgivning. Det stöd som i dagsläget ges till dessa kvinnor har fokus på missbruk och saknar prioritet av våldsutsatthet och betonar individinriktat eget ansvar för situationen. / The purpose of this study was to, based on the social workers and women's perspective illustrate the work of the social service in state of help and support for the addicted women who have experienced violence. A qualitative method has been used to achieve five interviews and therefore the purpose of this study. Three of the respondents were social workers and two respondents were women who previous experienced violence and addiction. Two theoretical approaches have been used to interpret and analyze the results from the interviews, social construction and feministic theory. The results of the study show that it is crucial to create awareness to this particularly vulnerable group and their needs. The results also show that the social workers feel there is a lack of knowledge or help in form of strategies to help these women. It emerges opinions from the women’s perspective that show that they’ve experienced inadequate support and treatment by authorities and other people. The support as in the current situation is given to the women with focus on the addiction and with lack of priority for the experience of violence and it emphasizes individualized responsibility for the situation.

Student Number : 0104363F - MSc research report - School of Architecture and Planning - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / South Africa is a constitutional state. The constitution is the supreme law of the country (RSA, 1996). Any of the state laws, policies and programmes that are inconsistent with the constitution are invalid, thus they have no legitimate standing. In the preamble of its constitution, the post apartheid South Africa sworn itself as a country recognising the past injustices, hence planning for the society based on social justices, in order to improving the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person. The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa, as it encompasses all human rights, especially socioeconomic rights, whose fulfilment will contribute towards realisation of equal and united society based on social justice. However, the post apartheid South African government adopted a Free Basic Water policy as a way of adhering to the constitutional requirements of ensuring that everyone has the right to sufficient water. Access to clean sufficient water has been identified as a crucial requirement for Care and Prevention to the HIV/AIDS affected households. In the midst of socioeconomic inequalities, scarce water resources and high HIV/AIDS prevalence confronting the post apartheid South Africa today, the Free Basic Water policy guarantees every household of eight; irrespective of its socioeconomic status and health concerns, 6kl/6000 litres of water every month free. The local government has been blamed for not being responsive these special water needs of the poor HIV/AIDS households, especially in townships areas, where water is mostly provided on cost-recovery. However, little attention has been paid on the difficulty faced by the local government authorities in this regard. The report argue for a need of collaboration between planners and others major stakeholders, to come up with group-conscious water policy that will guide for planning of a society based on social justice. However, the research recommends that this policy should not only be guided by / concerned with justice and fairness in the distribution of basic needs of the society with special needs. More important, this new policy should be fair, thus account for the sustainability of the water resources, since South Africa is regarded as water-scarce country.

Este trabalho versa sobre a aplicação do princípio da confiança legítima no Direito Tributário brasileiro, com foco no art. 100, inciso III, do Código Tributário Nacional (CTN), que trata das práticas reiteradamente observadas pelas autoridades administrativas. Parte-se da origem do princípio, aproximando a investigação por meio do princípio da segurança jurídica, da certeza do direito e da irretroatividade; em seguida, diferencia-se a proteção da confiança da boa-fé objetiva e prossegue-se pelo princípio da legalidade e a evolução jurisprudencial a respeito da conservação positiva ou negativa dos atos eivados de vícios quando deles se originaram direitos. Foca-se, então, nos requisitos para a configuração da confiança digna de proteção e os mecanismos de proteção positiva ou negativa dessa confiança. Desse ponto em diante, o estudo passa a desenhar a proteção da confiança legítima nos atos do Poder Executivo, por meio da análise do art. 100 do CTN, como fonte secundária de direito tributário. Conceituam-se as normas complementares, a origem e sua função, para então proceder-se ao exame específico das práticas reiteradamente observadas pelas autoridades administrativas e sua relação com o princípio da confiança legítima. Em seguida, analisa-se o parágrafo único do art. 100 do CTN para avaliar se são corretas a não atualização monetária da base de cálculo do tributo e a admissão de retroatividade parcial dos efeitos do reconhecimento da ilegalidade da prática administrativa em que confiou o contribuinte. Examina-se, de início, se a inércia da Administração Pública acerca de lançamento cuja homologação se dê de maneira tácita seria um silêncio positivo a configurar prática reiterada suficiente para dar respaldo à proteção do parágrafo único do art. 100 do CTN. O estudo avalia se, no caso dos tributos indiretos, pela impossibilidade de o contribuinte transferir ao consumidor a exação, justificaria uma proteção maior do que aquela conferida pelo próprio parágrafo único do art. 100 do CTN. Por derradeiro, a norma do art. 146 é confrontada com a do art. 100, inciso III, ambos do CTN, para fins de estabelecer os campos de aplicação de uma e de outra e em que medida elas se relacionam com a proteção da confiança legítima. / This work deals with the application of the principle of legitimate expectations in Brazilian tax law, focusing on Article 100, section III of the Brazilian Tax Code, which deals with the practices observed repeatedly by administrative authorities. The proposed scientific part of the origin of the principle, approaching research through the principle of legal security, legal certainty and non-retroactivity. Then differentiates the protection of reliable objective good faith and goes by the principle of legality and judicial developments regarding conservation (positive or negative) of the acts riddled with addictions when their rights originated. Focuses, then, on the requirements for setting up trust worthy of protection and the protection mechanisms positive or negative that trust. Thereafter the study is to draw back the protection of legitimate expectations in the acts of the Executive, through the analysis of Article 100 of the Internal Revenue Code, as secondary sources of tax law. Conceptualize themselves supplementary rules, the origin and function, down to the specific scope of practice repeatedly observed by the administrative authorities and their relation to the principle of legitimate expectations. Then we analyze the sole paragraph of article 100 of the Internal Revenue Code to assess whether it is correct not to monetary base tax calculation and admission of retroactivity of the effects of partial recognition of the illegality of administrative practice that relied on the taxpayer. Turning to specific issues initially analyzed is the inertia of public administration, which tacitly approves taxes charged for approval, would be a positive silence configuring repeated practice enough to give birth to protect the sole paragraph of article 100 of the Tax Code national. The study evaluates whether, in the case of indirect taxes, the inability of the taxpayer to transfer the consumer the exaction would justify greater protection than that afforded by the sole paragraph of article 100 of the Internal Revenue Code. Finally, the norm of Article 146 is confronted with Article 100, item III, both of the National Tax Code, for purposes of establishing fields of application of one and the other and the extent to which both relate to the protection of legitimate expectations.