Course objective: The common theme for the
two courses, Advanced
Studies of British Public Law IB and IIB, is the "Challenges of Law (Legal
Studies) in the Age of Globalization." This course (IIB) will examine the role
of legal systems in macro-regional cooperation in Europe and in the Asia
Pacific region.
Since the 1990s, there have been discussions of the "Asia-Pacific Community" and "East Asian Community" frameworks. While the European framework for macro-regional cooperation, as exemplified by the EU, is often discussed as a legal system, these Asian frames are rarely discussed from a legal perspective.
Starting from this contrast, this course (IIB) will examine the role of legal systems in macro-regional cooperation in Europe and the Asia Pacific.
The
questions we will consider in this course include:
§ In the contemporary
world, why is it necessary to establish new forms of governmental and non-governmental
cooperation at an intermediate level between
a
nation and a global community?
§ What are the
advantages and disadvantages in institutionalising a macro-regional cooperation
as a legal system?
§ Are there any reasons
why a common legal system cannot be introduced in Asia?
Students are required to submit an end-term paper on the role of cross-border cooperation in macro-regions, including Japan.