Transforming Unitary States into Federations: Path-Dependent Construction of Political Identities in Belgium and Lebanon

in Publius: the Journal of Federalism (2020), 50(4), 593619

The theory of congruence in comparative federalism holds that institutional design will, eventually, reflect societal divisions by transferring central powers to new, autonomous entities. While this model ... [more ▼]

The theory of congruence in comparative federalism holds that institutional design will, eventually, reflect societal divisions by transferring central powers to new, autonomous entities. While this model helps to understand why many divided societies adopt federalism, it cannot explain why only certain unitary states transform into federal ones while others do not. We use a historical institutionalism approach to identify the critical junctures in the trajectory of two prominent plural polities, Belgium and Lebanon. We suggest that the politicization of identities during initial stages of state-building plays a major role in the transformation of a unitary state into a federation—which occurs in the former but not in the latter of our cases. The current contrast in both consociational democracies is explained here as a legacy of the late nineteenth century, which set in motion decisive logics of public governance that direct institutional dynamics until today. [less ▲]

Les transfrontaliers trouvent du travail

Diverse speeches and writings (2011)

Transgenic overexpression of the alpha-synuclein interacting protein synphilin-1 leads to behavioral and neuropathological alterations in mice.

in Neurogenetics (2010), 11(1), 107-20

Synphilin-1 has been identified as an interacting protein of alpha-synuclein, Parkin, and LRRK2, proteins which are mutated in familial forms of Parkinson disease (PD). Subsequently, synphilin-1 has also ... [more ▼]

Synphilin-1 has been identified as an interacting protein of alpha-synuclein, Parkin, and LRRK2, proteins which are mutated in familial forms of Parkinson disease (PD). Subsequently, synphilin-1 has also been shown to be an intrinsic component of Lewy bodies in sporadic PD. In order to elucidate the role of synphilin-1 in the pathogenesis of PD, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing wild-type and mutant (R621C) synphilin-1 driven by a mouse prion protein promoter. Transgenic expression of both wild-type and the R621C variant synphilin-1 resulted in increased dopamine levels of the nigrostriatal system in 3-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found pathological ubiquitin-positive inclusions in cerebellar sections and dark-cell degeneration of Purkinje cells. Both transgenic mouse lines showed significant reduction of motor skill learning and motor performance. These findings suggest a pathological role of overexpressed synphilin-1 in vivo and will help to further elucidate the mechanisms of protein aggregation and neuronal cell death. [less ▲]

Transgression im europäischen Theaterverständnis? Hermann Nitschs Orgien Mysterien Theater und Christoph Schlingensiefs Aktion 18, „tötet Politik“

in Bloch, Natalie; Heimböckel, Dieter; Tropper, Elisabeth (Eds.) Vorstellung Europa – Performing Europe. Interdisziplinäre Perspektiven auf Europa im Theater der Gegenwart (2017)

Le transhumanisme : incarnation de l'hypermodernisme… ou fuite en avant fantasmatique ?

in Connexions (2018), 110(2), 73-86

Transhumanism, which appeared the second half of the twentieth century, is an ideological catalyser of a monopolistic concentration in progress in the context of the advent, on a worldwide scale, of ... [more ▼]

Transhumanism, which appeared the second half of the twentieth century, is an ideological catalyser of a monopolistic concentration in progress in the context of the advent, on a worldwide scale, of hypermodernity. It reactualises the old fantasy of infinite youth and the belief in the immortality of the soul by using technoscience to argue in favour of its feasibility. What works in favour of transhumanism is that we would all like to believe in it because it flatters a latent wish to overcome our limits. And yet it is precisely our limits that structure the form and harmony of our bodies and minds and give meaning to our existence. *** Le transhumanisme apparu dans la seconde moitié du xx e siècle est un catalyseur idéologique d’une concentration monopolistique en cours dans le cadre de l’avènement, à l’échelle planétaire, de l’hypermodernité. Il réactualise le vieux fantasme de la jeunesse infinie et la croyance en l’immortalité de l’âme en utilisant la technoscience pour argumenter en faveur de sa faisabilité. Ce qui joue en faveur du transhumanisme, c’est que nous avons tous envie d’y croire car cela flatte un désir latent de s’affranchir de nos limites. Pourtant, ce sont précisément nos limites qui structurent la forme et l’harmonie de notre corps et de notre psyché et donnent un sens à nos existences. [less ▲]

Transient dynamics of the Anderson impurity model out of equilibrium

in Phys. Rev. B (2008), 78

We discuss the transient effects in the Anderson impurity model that occur when two fermionic continua with finite bandwidths are instantaneously coupled to a central level. We present results for the ... [more ▼]

We discuss the transient effects in the Anderson impurity model that occur when two fermionic continua with finite bandwidths are instantaneously coupled to a central level. We present results for the analytically solvable noninteracting resonant-level system first and then consistently extend them to the interacting case using the conventional perturbation theory and recently developed nonequilibrium Monte Carlo simulation schemes. The main goal is to gain an understanding of the full time-dependent nonlinear current-voltage characteristics and the population probability of the central level. We find that, contrary to the steady state, the transient dynamics of the system depends sensitively on the bandwidth of the electrode material. [less ▲]

Transient thermal conduction with variable conductivity using the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin method

in Applied Mathematics and Computation (2015)

A numerical solution of the transient heat conduction problem with spatiotemporally vari- able conductivity in 2D space is obtained using the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method. The ... [more ▼]

A numerical solution of the transient heat conduction problem with spatiotemporally vari- able conductivity in 2D space is obtained using the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method. The approximation of the field variables is performed using Moving Least Squares (MLS) interpolation. The accuracy and the efficiency of the MLPG schemes are investigated through variation of (i) the domain resolution, (ii) the order of the basis functions, (iii) the shape of the integration site around each node, (iv) the conductivity range, and (v) the volumetric heat capacity range. Steady-state boundary conditions of the essential type are assumed. The results are compared with those calculated by a typical Finite Element method. Specific rectangular-type integration sites are introduced during both steady-state and transient MLPG integration, in order to provide complete surface coverage of the domain without overlapping, and the accuracy of the method is demonstrated in all cases studied. Computational efficiency is also investigated with this MLPG method and found to be slower than FE methods during construction stage, but it clearly surpasses that of FEM approaches during the solution stage on a wide parameter range. [less ▲]

La transition de l’école à la vie active au Luxembourg

Scientific Conference (2006, April)

Transition école - vie active : une typologie des mesures pour les jeunes sans qualification

in Actes de l'Université européenne d'été de la FREREF (2005)

Comme dans tous les pays européens, un grand nombre de mesures à destination des jeunes sortis du système scolaire sans qualification ont été mises en place au Luxembourg. Une étude systématique par ... [more ▼]

Comme dans tous les pays européens, un grand nombre de mesures à destination des jeunes sortis du système scolaire sans qualification ont été mises en place au Luxembourg. Une étude systématique par interview semi-dirigée a été réalisée auprès des responsables formation de l'ensemble des 32 dispositifs répertoriés au Luxembourg, en distinguant les mesures spécifiquement destinées aux jeunes et celles destinées pour tout âge, jeunes compris. L'enquête visait surtout à déterminer les caractéristiques des pratiques pédagogiques mises en oeuvre avec les publics concernés. A partir du dépouillement du matériel recueilli, une typologie en trois catégories a été élaborée. Celle-ci est construite sur 10 indicateurs importants : pré-requis, statut de l'apprenant, profil de l'apprenant, activités de remotivation, description de la formation (contenus et méthodes), suivi, stages, formateurs, qualification/certification, débouchés. Elle distingue les formations par le travail (formation "sur le tas" permettant d'apprendre des tâches professionnelles spécifiques ainsi que des compétences sociales de base), les formations d'insertion socio-professionnelle (formations se basant sur un programme de formation défini et donnent droit à une attestation en fonction d'une évaluation) et les formations qualifiantes (formations permettant d'obtenir un diplôme ou un certificat officiel du ministère et donnant droit à un barème salarial légal). Chacun de ces dispositifs a une logique de fonctionnement propre, une certaine cohérence en fonction du profil du groupe cible, des objectifs visés et de la démarche socio-pédagogique adoptée. Chacun de ces dispositifs correspond à des possibilités de travail avec une certaine partie du groupe cible. Situées à des distances spécifiques sur l'axe de transition entre la formation initiale et la vie active, ces types de mesures combinent de façon variable des caractéristiques spécifiques du champ scolaire et du champ professionnel. [less ▲]

Transition from out-of-home care into adulthood : normative framing of autonomy and social capital. The case of France and Luxembourg.

Scientific Conference (2016, March 30)

If the end of youth today generally can no longer bee described as "rite of passage" (Lebreton 2002, Galland, 2007), this might still be true for the situation of young people who have been in out-of-home ... [more ▼]

If the end of youth today generally can no longer bee described as "rite of passage" (Lebreton 2002, Galland, 2007), this might still be true for the situation of young people who have been in out-of-home care. Indeed, the "end of support", educational as well as financial, often ends for them by the age of 18. This is the case in France (in some cases to 21 years olds during the contract signing young adults) and in Luxembourg (sometimes till 24). Far from the possibility "of an endless experimentation" Bozon (2002), these young people face a "clean break" which plunges them into an adult life, which is more likely difficult to reach for them (INED 2006). A survey in France showed that care leavers "are greatly over-represented among homeless populations (estimated 23% of 18-24 years), compared with 2% in the general population). For Luxembourg a report by youth centres managers noted the difficulties for young people with no family support to fit into a very expensive rent. In France and in Luxembourg transitions of young people in care are marked by projects like: «projet individualisé», «projet d’autonomie» or «projet personnel à l’autonomie» (France) and «projet d’autonomisation» (Luxembourg ) The notion and the leading concept of autonomy which shapes these projects will be the focus of our discussion. Based on the results of three evaluations (Kerivel 2013) on the consequences of public policies and programs in this field, a study about the trajectories of 122 former foster children in four villages of children (Dubéchot, Doucet-Dahlgen, Kerivel 2014) and on the first results of the TransCare project (qualitative interviews with care providers) we will discuss what they mean for understanding the transitions of young people growing out-of-care to adulthood. A qualitative study is ongoing on the process of transition in Luxembourg (2015) and the experiences of young people. Results pointed at the isolation of many young people (by changing places and losing relations) and the feelings of powerlessness of the professionals who face an early exit for "young people who are not yet autonomous". Conversely, a place or a group that continues facilitates strong links. The transitions of young people leaving care can be characterized as “zones of vulnerability” (Castell 2000). We will contrast the idea of individualized autonomy (“an individualized defined and stable project”) by the concept of social capital (Bourdieu, 1980) and the concept of a relational agency (Burkitt 2015, Barad 2004, Emirbayer 1997), which points at social and material dependencies and interrelatedness. Herein we see a productive way to enrich the debate on care leavers by a perspective on the agentic potentials. The individual project is embedded in social relations and does not exist without a collective and it cannot be achieved without social resources. [less ▲]