Latest blog articles

  • Democracy and Nihilism: denouncing contemporary populist rhetoric

    In this piece, I will use two memes to begin to unpack what I think is the common denominator of contemporary populist rhetoric. I will explain that the real substance of this rhetoric is the creation of a false moral equivalence, revealing a nihilism. Finally, I will suggest how this false moral...

    law_blog_foto_Artur Willemse_groot
  • For the law, cognitive sciences should not change everything, but still a lot

    My message is, however, that next to the main lines of law’s contents, law students should learn about the ways in which law affects society and its participants. In this connection, they should study selected topics from sociology, but also – and that is the main message here – the cognitive...

    head and brain
  • Do we know what law is?

    A little bit of provocation sharpens the mind. Let me therefore start with a provocative thesis: Most lawyers have no idea what law is.

    What is law
  • Is there such a thing as ‘European Private Law’?

    Is there such a thing as ‘European private law’? In my opinion there is not, just as there is no Dutch, French, English, or Chinese private law. Let me explain. Legal rules, including rules of private law, have many characteristics. 

    Justice_MLR
  • Im Südwesten nichts neues

    Yesterday’s elections marked the beginning of an outstandingly important election year for Germany and is considered a first test run for the federal elections in September.

    Im Südwesten Nichts Neues
  • Legal science and the feeling of constitutional decay

    There is a lot of consternation about Donald Trump and his remark about only accepting the results of the presidential election "If I win". According to Trump, the election is 'rigged' if he looses... This article is only available in Dutch. 

    Washington_constitutional_convention