Suchergebnisse

This paper takes as its starting point a the oretical gap in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Canada in relation to freedom of religion claims. The author argues that, under the Amselem analysis, the Court restricts itself to making decisions involving contested values while avoiding substantive consideration of normative questions. As a result, judicial reasoning in recent cases dealing with religious freedom has been characterized by formalistic doctrinal applications coupled with covert substantive review. The paper argues that the Court should be more explicit in justifying its protection of relational interests within freedom of religion jurisprudence. Neo-republican political the ory offers a justificatory framework for the move away from an individual rights approach to adjudicating social nuances of contemporary religious freedom claims, in a way which recognizes the interdependency of interests, and mediates tensions in social relations. Such a conception of religious freedom balances the impulse to individualism against the interest in co-reliance, and suggests that responsibility and social commitments ought to be understood as a constituent part of freedom, rather than as a threat or toll. The author surveys Supreme Court case law from the 1950s, the pre-Charter or human rights era, to show how the Court grounded its protection of religion and religious freedom in historical and contextual considerations, philosophical values, cultural norms and unwritten constitutional principles. The Court engaged in conceptual analyses about freedom and the role of religion in public life, and decided constitutional rights without reference to positive law. Freedom was understood the n as a moral and political concept, if not yet a legal right. The author the n jumps forward to the recent judgment in L. (S.), in which the Supreme Court found itself again engaging with conceptual issues related to religious freedom, but within the doctrinal framework of section 2(a) and the Charter right to freedom of religion. The author finds that the conceptual questions in L. (S.) focused the Court on defining freedom in alignment with shared public values. The paper closes by examining these shared values, gleaned from a number of recent cases, in an effort to describe the Court's emerging framework for a relational conception of freedom — one in which permissions and restrictions flow in all directions between the state, the individual and the collective.

The debates on the legal content of tax and non-tax charges in the legal literature have been going on for quite a long time. The budget legislation lacks provisions allowing the uniquely determination of the legal nature of the tax and non-tax charges. The distinguishing features of tax and non-tax charges research is a consequence of the need of proper relations qualification in coarse of judicial practice, and also verification of their place in the various sources of budget revenues of the Russian Federation. As part of the legal research by analyzing the norms of the current fiscal legislation and the different points of view on the matter under consideration, expressed in scientific literature the author attempts to answer a number of topical issues. What is a acharge as the legal and financial category? How to distinguish tax charges from non-tax charges? As a result of legal study, the author gives his own definition of tax and non-tax charges, and offers concrete steps to improve the budget legislation that will solve the problem of these legal categories separation. ; The debates on the legal content of tax and non-tax charges in the legal literature have been going on for quite a long time. The budget legislation lacks provisions allowing the uniquely determination of the legal nature of the tax and non-tax charges. The distinguishing features of tax and non-tax charges research is a consequence of the need of proper relations qualification in coarse of judicial practice, and also verification of their place in the various sources of budget revenues of the Russian Federation. As part of the legal research by analyzing the norms of the current fiscal legislation and the different points of view on the matter under consideration, expressed in scientific literature the author attempts to answer a number of topical issues. What is a acharge as the legal and financial category? How to distinguish tax charges from non-tax charges? As a result of legal study, the author gives his own definition of tax and non-tax charges, and offers concrete steps to improve the budget legislation that will solve the problem of these legal categories separation.

The article describes the main regulations of the Federal statute «On police» concerning the activities of the police in an increasingly growing interethnic and international antagonisms. The author carried out a comparative analysis of the legal regulations of regulatory act with the norms of the Statute «On militia». Are noted the standards, which regulate the activity of the organs of law in the opposition to the international contradictions, which occurred in the Statute « On militia » and they found their reflection in the Federal statute «On police» without having undergone changes. At the same time, on the basis of careful study and comparison of lawful reports are isolated standards become short stories for the law-enforcement agencies in this region. Simultaneously with this in the article are examined the expressing proposals directed toward an improvement in the activity agents of law and order for opposition to the international contradictions, which, however, were not taken into account with the preparation of Federal statute «On police». In the conclusion by the author the conclusion relative to the effectiveness of the legislative regulation of the activity of the russian police for opposition to international contra-dictions is formulated. ; The article describes the main regulations of the Federal statute «On police» concerning the activities of the police in an increasingly growing interethnic and international antagonisms. The author carried out a comparative analysis of the legal regulations of regulatory act with the norms of the Statute «On militia». Are noted the standards, which regulate the activity of the organs of law in the opposition to the international contradictions, which occurred in the Statute « On militia » and they found their reflection in the Federal statute «On police» without having undergone changes. At the same time, on the basis of careful study and comparison of lawful reports are isolated standards become short stories for the law-enforcement agencies in this region. Simultaneously with this in the article are examined the expressing proposals directed toward an improvement in the activity agents of law and order for opposition to the international contradictions, which, however, were not taken into account with the preparation of Federal statute «On police». In the conclusion by the author the conclusion relative to the effectiveness of the legislative regulation of the activity of the russian police for opposition to international contra-dictions is formulated.

Рассмотрены основные этапы укрепления единства государственной власти, в механизме которого ключевую роль играет Президент России. Проведено сравнение принципов федерализма, единства системы государственной власти и разделения властей. Сформулирован вывод о том, что принципы единства системы государственной власти и разделения властей не противоречат друг другу. Раскрыты основные направления реализации полномочий Президента Российской Федерации и показана его роль в укреплении единства государственной власти при проведении федеративных преобразований. На основе анализа законодательства и правовых позиций Конституционного Суда Российской Федерации показана обширная компетенция главы государства. Автор приходит к выводу, что концентрация власти и подконституционное расширение властных полномочий Президента Российской Федерации не всегда соответствуют конституционным принципам федерализма и разделения властей. Это не позволяет установить необходимый баланс полномочий как между органами законодательной, исполнительной и судебной власти, так и между федеральными и региональными органами власти. Предлагается законодательно закрепить исчерпывающий перечень полномочий главы государства, а проводимые федеративные преобразования осуществлять в строгом соответствии с Конституцией Российской Федерации, ориентируясь на построение правового демократического федеративного государства. ; The author examines main stages of strengthening of the unity of state power, which is characterized by the key role of the President of Russia in its implementation. The author compares principles of federalism, unity of state power system, and separation of powers. The conclusion is made that principle of unity of state power and principle of separation of powers does not contradict each other. The article observes main areas of implementation of presidential powers, and describes his role in strengthening the unity of state power in process of reforming federal system. Based on the analysis of legislation and legal positions of Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the author demonstrates the scope of competencies of the head of the state. The author concludes that concentration of authority and expansion of presidential powers does not always meet constitutional principles of federalism and separation of powers. As a result, it does not allow to achieve appropriate balance between legislative, executive and judicial powers, on one side, and federal and regional authorities, on the other. The suggestion is made to enshrine the comprehensive list of presidential powers in legislation, and at the same time, to conduct federal reforms in strict accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and with the goal of building democratic federal state governed by the rule of law.

Характеризуется национальный состав сельского населения Урала накануне Второй мировой войны, показаны его особенности в различных республиках и областях края, определены основные причины существовавших различий в размещении различных народов на территории региона. Автор доказывает, что в определенном порядке отдельные национальные группы сельского населения размещались и на территории субъектов РСФСР, что было вызвано как исторически сложившейся традицией, так и внутриполитическими факторами. В работе предпринята попытка сопоставить сведения о численности населении с данными о родном языке различных национальных групп сельского населения, выявить половозрастные особенности структуры сельского населения Урала. Важным является сделанный автором вывод о существовавшей на Урале в исследуемый период диспропорции полов, который наиболее заметен был среди русского населения края. Исследован образовательный уровень проживавших в регионе народов, определена степень участия женщин разных национальностей в сельскохозяйственном производстве. По мнению автора, особенностью исторического развития края являлся тот факт, что в сельской местности удельный вес русского населения был ниже, а национальный состав сельчан значительно сложнее. ; National structure of the rural population of Ural on the eve of World War II is characterized, its peculiarities in the various republics and oblasts region are showed, the basic reasons for existing differences in the placement of various peoples in the region are determined. The author proves that separate national groups of the rural population were placed in the subjects of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in particular order, which was caused by historical tradition, as well as domestic political factors. The author undertakes an attempt to compare the information about the number of population with the data about the native language of the various national groups of the rural population, to identify the features of the sex and age structure of the rural population of Urals. Important is made by the author conclusion about existed in Urals during the study period gender disproportion, which was most noticeable among the Russian population of the region. The educational level of the peoples living in the region was investigated, the degree of participation of women of various nationalities in the agricultural production was determined. According to the author, a feature of historical development of the region was the fact that in rural areas the proportion of the Russian population was lower, and national structure of villagers was much more complicated.

Обсуждается вопрос о том, что препятствует продуктивному переосмыслению прошлого в современных литовско-российских отношениях. «Переработка» прошлого воспринимается как процесс, посредством которого происходит переосмысление исторических значений, приближая их к ожиданиям и ценностям современного общества. В этом процессе, по мнению автора, исторические исследования должны выполнять определенные социальные функции, поскольку такие исследования могут поощрять сосуществование обществ. Выбрав литовско-российское коммуникационное пространство в качестве объекта, автор подчеркивает необходимость развития интереса во взаимном познании культур воспоминания в этом пространстве. В общих чертах определяются стратегии, характерные для преобладающих культур воспоминания в современной России и в Литве, поднимается вопрос об их необходимом взаимоотношении и об адекватности исторической политики. Криминализация определенных оценок прошлого и академический диалог между историками рассматриваются как две противоположности опыта исторической политики, реально существующего в литовско-российском коммуникационном пространстве. В качестве основы для дальнейшего развития исторического диалога предлагается рассматривать исследования ценностей и восприятий прошлого, которые поддерживаются определенными общественными группами Литвы и России. Этим подразумевается, что их постижение может способствовать формированию более обоснованной исторической политики. ; This article focuses on the factors inhibiting a productive rethinking of the past in contemporary Lithuanian-Russian relations. The rethinking of the past is understood as a process facilitating the reconsideration of historical meanings through adjusting them to the expectations and values of a contemporary society. The author argues that, during this process, historical research an important tool for encouraging the co-existence of communities should fulfil certain social functions. Having chosen the Lithuanian-Russian communication space as a case, the author emphasises the need to develop interest in mutual knowledge of cultures of remembrance in this space. Outlining the strategies specific to the prevailing cultures of remembrance in contemporary Russia and Lithuania, the author addresses the question of their proper relationship, as well as that of the appropriateness of politics of history. The criminalisation of certain evaluations of the past and the academic dialogue between historians are regarded as two opposite extremes of politics of history actually existing in the Lithuanian-Russian communications space. The author stresses that research on the values and interpretations of the past peculiar to certain social groups in both Lithuania and Russia may be considered as a basis for further development of the historical dialogue. It is assumed that such research may contribute to the improvement in the field of politics of history.

Стремительное распространение информационных технологий, рост роли информации в общественной жизни неизбежно выдвигают на первый план проблемы обеспечения безопасности личности, в первую очередь детей, в информационных сферах, в том числе в сети Интернет. Данная статья посвящена правовому аспекту парирования угроз, существующих в Интернет-пространстве и негативно воздействующих на подрастающее поколение. Рассматриваются зарубежные инициативы и российский опыт регулирования сети Интернет. ; The rapid spread of information technologies and increasing of the role of information in social life highlight the problems of personal security, especially for children, in the information field including the Internet. This article is devoted to the overview of the threats that exist in the Internet space, of the problem of negative influence for the rising generation. Referring to the publication of the Russian and foreign researchers, the author identifies three types of cyber threats: 1) software and hardware (such as viruses, Trojan horses), 2) economic (hacks of payment accounts, phishing attacks, theft and sale of existing credit card data), 3) content (child pornography, terrorist and extremist information, promotion of drugs and other network information deviant and delinquent orientation). The author analyzes the international experience of the Internet regulation, viz. Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, Article I-47 of the Constitution of the European Union, UNESCO Program "Information for All", the activities of Internet service providers of British telecommunications service ("Pure Line") and the U.S. Law "The protection of children online." Author pays special attention to cooperation of the Russian Committee of UNESCO Program "Information for All" with the office of Microsoft in Russia (2004), as well as some actions and institutions to ensure the safety of children on the Internet, which are held and created on the model of similar international ones (the Year of Internet Security, phone line "Kids Online", League Safe Internet). Analyzing Federal Law "On protection of children from information harmful to their health and development" (2011), the author concludes on the need for the three components for the effective protection of children on the Internet: 1) an adequate legal framework, 2) an effective mechanism for implementing the laws, and 3) social partnership between the state and civil society.

The paper is devoted to correlation of terms of limitation of action and terms of appeal to a court which constitutes the topical question of Russian civil law. The author exposes the legal nature of the above pointed terms. He also shows inperfection of certain legal norms regulating terms during which a concerned person may realize his right to remedy. The attention is paid to the absence of accurate legislative delimitation of terms associated with realization of the right of consideration of a dispute in the court by an authorized person. The problem is emphasized of the illegal interpretation of the category «reference to the court». The author gives the examples of the terms established by the law, which legal nature implies ambiguous interpretation in court practice. The mentioned interpretation frequently leads to acceptance of illegal judicial decisions. Consequenly, the conclusion is made about necessity of concretization of the notion «reference to the court». It is necessary to give this notion the exclusively procedural meaning and to remove substantive-legislative meaning by replacement of nonprocedural terms of appeal to the court by special terms of limitation of action. ; The paper is devoted to correlation of terms of limitation of action and terms of appeal to a court which constitutes the topical question of Russian civil law. The author exposes the legal nature of the above pointed terms. He also shows inperfection of certain legal norms regulating terms during which a concerned person may realize his right to remedy. The attention is paid to the absence of accurate legislative delimitation of terms associated with realization of the right of consideration of a dispute in the court by an authorized person. The problem is emphasized of the illegal interpretation of the category «reference to the court». The author gives the examples of the terms established by the law, which legal nature implies ambiguous interpretation in court practice. The mentioned interpretation frequently leads to acceptance of illegal judicial decisions. Consequenly, the conclusion is made about necessity of concretization of the notion «reference to the court». It is necessary to give this notion the exclusively procedural meaning and to remove substantive-legislative meaning by replacement of nonprocedural terms of appeal to the court by special terms of limitation of action.

Assessing and managing risks relating to the consumption of food stuffs for humans and to the environment has been one of the most complex legal issues in WTO law, ever since the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures was adopted at the end of the Uruguay Round and entered into force in 1995. The problem was expounded in a number of cases. Panels and the Appellate Body adopted different philosophies in interpreting the agreement and the basic concept of risk assessment as defined in Annex A para. 4 of the Agreement. Risk assessment entails fundamental question on law and science. Different interpretations reflect different underlying perceptions of science and its relationship to the law. The present thesis supported by the Swiss National Research Foundation undertakes an in-depth analysis of these underlying perceptions. The author expounds the essence and differences of positivism and relativism in philosophy and natural sciences. He clarifies the relationship of fundamental concepts such as risk, hazards and probability. This investigation is a remarkable effort on the part of lawyer keen to learn more about the fundamentals based upon which the law – often unconsciously – is operated by the legal profession and the trade community. Based upon these insights, he turns to a critical assessment of jurisprudence both of panels and the Appellate Body. Extensively referring and discussing the literature, he deconstructs findings and decisions in light of implied and assumed underlying philosophies and perceptions as to the relationship of law and science, in particular in the field of food standards. Finding that both positivism and relativism does not provide adequate answers, the author turns critical rationalism and applies the methodologies of falsification developed by Karl R. Popper. Critical rationalism allows combining discourse in science and law and helps preparing the ground for a new approach to risk assessment and risk management. Linking the problem to the doctrine of multilevel governance the author develops a theory allocating risk assessment to international for a while leaving the matter of risk management to national and democratically accountable government. While the author throughout the thesis questions the possibility of separating risk assessment and risk management, the thesis offers new avenues which may assist in structuring a complex and difficult problem

В статье анализируется динамика изменений в электоральных настроениях населения ФРГ и факторы, оказывающие влияние на популярность партий Германии. В частности, подчеркивается схожесть причин роста и падения рейтингов двух ведущих партий ФРГ СДПГ и ХДП в зависимости от проводимого ими экономического и внешнеполитического курса. Опираясь на фактический материал, автор анализирует цикличность смены власти блока ХДС/ХСС и коалиционного правительства СДПГ. Особый акцент сделан на электоральных настроениях современного немецкого общества. Показана прямая взаимосвязь между негативными последствиями для ФРГ политики ХДС/ХСС и падением рейтинга этого партийного блока в 2010—2011 г. Отмечается рост популярности среди немецкого электората левоцентристских идей. Наряду с общими причинами этого процесса автор выделяет ситуативные факторы, оказывающие влияние на настороения немецкого электората (неоднозначное решение А. Меркель по мораторию на продление сроков работы АЭС, отношение к иммиграционной политике, голосование в Совбезе ООН по санкциям в отношении Ливии, отставка министра обороны и т. п.). Особо на этом фоне отмечается рост популярности неонацистских организаций, в частности, Национал-демократической партии Германии. = The article analyzes the dynamics of the changes in the electoral sentiments of the FRG population and the factors affecting the popularity of political parties in Germany. In particular, it emphasizes the similarity in the courses of growth and fall in the ratings of the two leading parties of the FRG — the SDPG and CDP depending on their economic and foreign policy course. Resting his conclusions on factual material the author considers the cyclic character of the replacement in power of the CDP bloc and the SDPG coalition government. Special emphasis is made on the electoral sentiments of the current German society. The article shows direct relationship between the negative consequences of the CDP bloc policy for Germany and the fall in the rating of this bloc in 2010—2011. The author notes the growth of the centre-left ideas among the German electorate. Along with the general reasons for this process the author identifi es the situational factors affecting the German electorate's preferences (A. Merkel's controversional decision on the moratorium on the prolongation of the nuclear stationsworking time limit, the attitude to the immigration policy, voting in the UN Security Council on the sanctions towards Libya, the Defence Minister's resignation etc.). The author specially points out the growth of popularity of neo-nazist organizations, in particular, the NDPG against this back-ground.

The history of the development of the world's two largest religions (Islam and Christianity) is always filled with the ups and downs (referring to a book by Hugh Goddard) between harmony and conflict. Among the conflicts was the long experience of the Crusade, which took place approximately 3 centuries. This war has been made by some as precedent to continue and justify the conflict between the two religions at any time. This paper examines in depth the history of the Crusade, looks into the background context, interests and motives of the war that were labeled as the holy war. Many things surprised the author that this conflict conceals a lot of information and facts unknown to today's generations. The author sees that there is a contestation or race between various interests in the history of the Crusade. The crusade turned out to be nothing more than wars labeled as holy but in fact no more than colossal profane such as violent conflicts involving the followers of other religions. Profaneness here not only means that the crusade was a real event, but it also means its background and motives were profane. The holy labeling was merely mobilization strategies to get support of the followers of the religions. Undeniably, there were sincere motives and religious devotion, but of course there were interests and motives purely temporal (secular). However it must be admitted that the crusade was one of the most successful examples of how religion became a major issue to garner support and warfare. A variety of logical justifications were made such as the places, people and position of the blessed to get support. The author also emphasizes that, the context around the time of the Crusade is important to understand, because the era was so far before our time. There were no massive expulsions of religious followers, no inquisition or seizure of holy land one by the religions. Nevertheless, the author realized, if similar things (read: imposition of will, restrictions of religious freedom) are practiced today, then conflict between followers of the religions will occur again since this will be very easy to justify on behalf of God to conduct acts of violence.

Darba "Informācijas apmaiņas jēdziens Eiropas Savienības konkurences tiesībās" galvenais mērķis ir definēt informācijas apmaiņas jēdzienu, izvērtēt tā tvērumu, noteikt informācijas apmaiņas tiesiskuma robežas un šo robežu pākāpuma sekas kā no tiešo konkurentu puses, tā arī no trešo personu, tā saucamo aizliegto vienošanos (karteļu) atbalstītāju puses. Autors secina, ka esoša Eiropas Savienības institūciju prakse attiecībā uz informācijas apmaiņās pasākumu tiesiskumu ir pretrunīga, kā rezultātā, nav iespējams noteikt vispārīgus informācijas apmaiņas principus. Turklāt, autros kritizē Eiropas Komisijas 2010. gadā pieņemtas vadlīnijas un atbilstoši piedāvā noteikt informācijas apmaiņas jēdziena saturu no iepriekšējās Eiropas Savienības institūciju prakses, kā arī noteikt vispārīgus informācijas apmaiņas noteikumus tiesiski saistošajā aktā, nevis kā tas notiek pašlaik – Eiropas Komisijas vadlīnijās. Turklāt, attiecībā uz trešo personu sodīšanu par konkurences tiesību pārkāpumiem, autors piedāvā de minimis kritērjiu ieviešanu, izpildoties kuriem karteļa atbalstītājus būtu sapratīgi saukt pie atbildības. ; The main objective of this thesis titled "The notion of exchange of information in the competition law of the European Union" is to define the notion of exchange of information in the framework of European competition law, elaborate upon the scope of the term, define the legal limits of information exchange under European Union competition rules and possible liability for traspassing these limits, both for direct competitors as well as third parties defined as aiders and abbetors of cartel implementation in the legal literature. The author draws a conclusion that the existing institutional practice at the European Union level with regard to the issue at stake is rather contradictory. As a result thereof, it is uneasy to determine general principles related to the exchange of information in the framework of competition law. Additionally, author puts forward constructive criticism with regard to the Guidelines adopted by the European Commission in 2010. Accordingly, author suggests to refer to previous institutional practice of European institutions in order to deduce the scope of legal exchange of information as well as introduce these principles in a binding legal act, rather than non-binding guidelines as done at the moment. And in relation to responsibility of third parties for breaches of competition law, author proposes an intorduction of de minimis criteria, both in terms of market structure and information quality, meeting of which would reasonably result in liability for those third parties.

В статье делается акцент на то, что политическое образование опосредованным образом, при помощи социальных институтов, ценностного поля, влияет на модели рекрутирования политических элит, консервацию / трансформацию существующих властных отношений в сфере политики. ; Considering political processes, one of the most important mechanisms can be singled out that determines the other components of the political sphere to some extent. As we see it, political elite recruitment can belong to this process. Meanwhile, in the diversity of mechanisms affecting the logic of political elite recruitment, the author singles out political education as the process that can model ideas, values, beliefs, contacts network, communication between individuals, social hierarchy. The article highlights that political education implicitly with the help of social institutes and values affects the models of political elite recruitment, conservation/transformation of the existing power relationships in politics. Having applied the social structure model proposed by P. Shtompka, the author gives his vision of the relation between political education and political elite recruitment at different levels the level of institutionalisation of the normative structure, the level of articulation of the ideal structure, and, finally, the level of the interaction structure expansion. The work defines such notions as potential and existing elites; it also describes various approaches of entering the power elite. The author describes different types of recruitment to track their connection with the process of political education. Guided by the model proposed by T. Parson, the author of the research concludes a direct relationship between the level of political education and its potential capacity for ascending social mobility within the power hierarchy of the modern world. The work emphasizes the fact that in world practice there are a number of precedents of qualitative upgrade of political elite with the help of political education. However, despite the great potential of employing political and educational practices for forming/recruiting political elite, in Russian reality there is no specialized system that would be able to improve the professional level, on the one hand, and contribute to social mobility, on the other hand. Meanwhile, the development and deployment of political education intended to upgrade the quality of potential political elite and increase the competence of the existing one will definitely increase the efficiency of the process of making political decisions at all levels of power.

Assessing and managing risks relating to the consumption of food stuffs for humans and to the environment has been one of the most complex legal issues in WTO law, ever since the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures was adopted at the end of the Uruguay Round and entered into force in 1995. The problem was expounded in a number of cases. Panels and the Appellate Body adopted different philosophies in interpreting the agreement and the basic concept of risk assessment as defined in Annex A para. 4 of the Agreement. Risk assessment entails fundamental question on law and science. Different interpretations reflect different underlying perceptions of science and its relationship to the law. The present thesis supported by the Swiss National Research Foundation undertakes an in-depth analysis of these underlying perceptions. The author expounds the essence and differences of positivism and relativism in philosophy and natural sciences. He clarifies the relationship of fundamental concepts such as risk, hazards and probability. This investigation is a remarkable effort on the part of lawyer keen to learn more about the fundamentals based upon which the law – often unconsciously – is operated by the legal profession and the trade community. Based upon these insights, he turns to a critical assessment of jurisprudence both of panels and the Appellate Body. Extensively referring and discussing the literature, he deconstructs findings and decisions in light of implied and assumed underlying philosophies and perceptions as to the relationship of law and science, in particular in the field of food standards. Finding that both positivism and relativism does not provide adequate answers, the author turns critical rationalism and applies the methodologies of falsification developed by Karl R. Popper. Critical rationalism allows combining discourse in science and law and helps preparing the ground for a new approach to risk assessment and risk management. Linking the problem to the doctrine of multilevel governance the author develops a theory allocating risk assessment to international for a while leaving the matter of risk management to national and democratically accountable government. While the author throughout the thesis questions the possibility of separating risk assessment and risk management, the thesis offers new avenues which may assist in structuring a complex and difficult problem