Kant on property rights and international law

This Element argues that property rights and the territorial rights of states in Kant's legal theory provide a strong justification for the expansion of international law. Central to the argument is Kant's theory of legal obligation, according to which a right to external ...

Shell money

a comparative study

Where, when, and under what circumstances did money first emerge? This Element examines this question through a comparative study of the use of shells to facilitate trade and exchange in ancient societies around the world. It argues that shell money was a form of social ...

Free will

This Element provides a thorough overview of the free will debate as it currently stands. After distinguishing the main senses of the term FREE WILL invoked in that debate, it proceeds to set out the prominent versions of the main positions, libertarianism, compatibilism, and free ...

We Need to Talk

how cross-party dialogue reduces affective polarization

Americans today are affectively polarized: they dislike and distrust those from the opposing political party more than they did in the past, with damaging consequences for their democracy. This Element tests one strategy for ameliorating such animus: having ordinary Democrats and Republicans come together for ...

Can blockchain solve the hold-up problem in contracts?

A vexing problem in contract law is modification. Two parties sign a contract but before they fully perform, they modify the contract. Should courts enforce the modified agreement? A private remedy is for the parties to write a contract that is robust to hold-up or ...

Migration myths and the end of the Bronze Age in the Eastern Mediterranean

This Element looks critically at migration scenarios proposed for the end of the Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. After presenting some historical background to the development of migration studies, including types and definitions of migration as well as some of its possible material correlates ...

Human sacrifice

Sacrifice is not simply an expression of religious beliefs. Its highly symbolic nature lends itself to various kinds of manipulation by those carrying it out, who may use the ritual in maintaining and negotiating power and identity in carefully staged 'performances'. This Element will examine ...