Constitutional Law & Governance
The challenges of sustainability in the decision-making mechanism of democratic states
Paradigm shift, natural contract, social activism, participatory democracy
The problem of sustainability is one of the most important and pressing problems of the modern state. Although the history of the so-called green movement that is linked to the emergence of industrial society in the modern age, (to industrialism), in its contemporary form it is existing also a social movement, a political ideology – see, among others, green parties – and a state (international) obligation. What distinguishes the recent green movements today from the earlier conservation movement is its emphasis on science and research. The main aim of this study is to examine how democratic – above all, the participatory and deliberative democracies – political systems are dealing with the new challenges of sustainability and how they are finding political solutions to the demands of civil society. In parallel, the interdependence between social activism, democratic policy decision-making and international cooperation is worth considering, as coordination between sub-state and supra-state actors is needed to address sustainability.
EGRESI, KATALIN
The freedom of research and university autonomy from the viewpoint of technology transfer...
University autonomy, freedom of research, technology transfer, intellectual property rights, higher education law
This study explores the evolving dynamics of university autonomy and the freedom of research considering increasing expectations for technology transfer within higher education institutions. Focusing on Hungary, Austria (Styria), and Germany (Brandenburg), the paper provides a comparative legal analysis of how these Central European jurisdictions reconcile traditional academic freedoms with the modern entrepreneurial role of universities. It addresses how constitutional provisions, higher education laws, and patent regulations shape institutional and individual rights in the context of academic capitalism. By analysing legal frameworks and key court decisions, the study tensions between institutional autonomy and researchers’ rights, particularly regarding intellectual property and administrative governance. The findings suggest that while Brandenburg provides a model of integration between legal clarity and institutional support for innovation, Hungary and Austria reveal gaps in the horizontal protection of academic freedoms and the legal recognition of researchers' roles in knowledge commercialization.
STIPKOVITS, TAMÁS ISTVÁN
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliamentary work (comparative analysis)
Covid-19, pandemic, parliament, administration, legislative work
Following World War II, it is difficult to identify any single event that has influenced the global community as profoundly as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, caused by the coronavirus designated as COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2), has fundamentally shaped our daily lives since its global emergence in 2020. As a result, hardly any country in the world has escaped the rise of constitutional law challenges triggered by the pandemic – issues that had not been previously addressed. One of the key constitutional concerns in democratic states worldwide was how to ensure the continued functioning of legislative bodies, i.e., parliaments. This study provides an overview of parliamentary operations across Europe during the pandemic.
SOMOGYI, ENIKŐ
Characteristics of property rights in international law
Protection of property rights, universal international instruments, fundamental right restriction, compensation
The paper deals with the protection of property rights as a fundamental human right. I present the system of international legal protection of property rights through the major international conventions and in the community of the European Union. The instruments of property protection are also analysed. The second half of the paper deals with compensation for damage to property, including the specific rules of compensation. I conclude with a related case law. paper deals with the protection of property rights as a fundamental human right.
SZABÓ, ÉVA
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