Freedom of Association in China and Europe

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The Astrolabe

An ancient instrument for solving problems of location and distance, as well as time

Astrolábon órganon is the word used in Ptolemaeus Syntaxis 5.1 to describe a form of armillary sphere consisting of both fixed and rotating rings for determining the ecliptic co-ordinates of stars. Also called astrolabe were two-dimensional representations of the celestial sphere: over fixed disks with a representation of the horizon of the earth (in each case for a specific geographic latitude) and its parallels up to the zenith lies a rotating representation of the heavens (called ‘spider’ or ‘net’) with zodiac and indicators for some of the brightest stars. On the back is an indicator (‘alidade’) with visor plates for calculating the height of the stars. The astrolabe allows its user to determine the hours of day and night, the positions of stars, and the height and depth of objects on earth (mountains, buildings, wells). The oldest extant descriptions of the flat, planispheric astrolabe come from Iohannes Philoponus, 6th century AD, and (in Syrian) from Severus Sebokht, c. 660 AD. Indirect references may date back as early as Theon (4th cent.). Between the 8th and the 9th centuries the Arabs appropriated the knowledge of the astrolabe. At the end of the 10th century and again in the 12th century, they passed it on to Western Europe, where astrolabes were constructed up until the 17th cent. Today, one Byzantine astrolabe (from 1062) is extant, as are some 750 Arabic-Islamic astrolabes and approximately the same number of European astrolabes.

This information is abstracted from Brill's New Pauly, the English edition of the authoritative Der Neue Pauly, Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World. The encyclopaedic coverage and high academic standard of the work, the interdisciplinary and contemporary approach and clear and accessible presentation have made the New Pauly the unrivalled modern reference work for the ancient world. For more information see www.brillsnewpauly.com or visit our website catalog: www.brill.nl/bnp
Brill’s New Pauly and the complete original Der Neue Pauly, the recognized standard reference works for students and scholars of the ancient world are also available online. This dual-language edition offers basic and advanced search facilities and is fully browsable. New English translations are added as they become available. See www.paulyonline.brill.nl for more information and a demo version.

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Publications & Services> Books> Book Series> Freedom of Association in China and Europe

Freedom of Association in China and Europe

Comparative Perspectives in Law and Practice

Edited by Yuwen Li

Books

Available
Publication year: 2005


ISBN-13 (i)The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) has been changed from 10 to 13 digits on 1 January 2007:	978 90 04 14840 6
ISBN-10:	90 04 14840 X

Cover:	Hardback
Number of pages:	xx, 448 pp.
Google Book Search:	View this book at Google Book Search

List price:	€ 110.00 / US$ 154.00

Table of contents

Foreword;
Preface;
Acknowledgements;
List of Contributors;
List of Abbreviations;
General Introduction to the Book Yuwen Li;
Part I – Chinese Perspectives:
1. A Critical Examination of the Legal Environment for Social Organisations in China Yuwen Li;
2. Government Administration of Social Organisations: Its Model and Effects Wu Yuzhang;
3. The Dilemma of Legitimacy Facing China’s Civil Society Organisations Xie Haiding;
4. Approval and Non-interference in the Management of Social Organisations: An Examination of Theory and Practice Liu Peifeng;
5. Research on China’s Civic Environmental Protection Organisations Chen Xinxin;
6. Legislation on Foundations in China: Historical Development, Present State and Main Characteristics Mo Jihong;
Part II – European Perspectives :
7. Civil Society and the Non-profit Sector in the Netherlands Paul Dekker;
8. Law and Associational Life in Britain Richard Fries;
9. Associations and Foundations in Germany: Service Providers or Agents of Civil Society? Rupert Graf Strachwitz;
10. The Legal Implementation of Freedom of Association in the Netherlands and Other Western European Countries Tymen J. van der Ploeg; Concluding Observations Yuwen Li;
Appendices:
I Regulations for Registration and Management of Social Organizations;
II Provisional Regulations for the Registration and Management of Popular Non-Enterprise Work Units;
III Regulations for the Management of Foundations;
IV A Model of Simple Questionnaire on Development and Problems of Social Organizations in China;
V Relevant Articles of the Dutch Civil Code; Selected Bibliography;
Index.

Understanding and exercising the right to freedom of association, in a modern sense, is a relatively new phenomenon in China. The reform of ‘old’ social organizations and the emergence of new, privately-initiated, non-profit organizations only began to occur in the 1980s, and such organizations continued to expand throughout the 1990s. Within a short period these new organizations have become a vibrant force in Chinese society.

This unique volume – the first book in English to offer systematic and critical research in this field - is the outcome of a three-year research project on the Legal Aspects of Social Organisations in China. The main aim of the project was to encourage Chinese researchers to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the current status of social organizations in China, and to allow them to explore possible ways of creating a friendly legal environment conducive to the exercise of the right to freedom of association. The book contains some of the best results of the Chinese researchers’ work and papers presented by European experts at two international seminars, organized jointly by the Institute of Law of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Law Faculty of Utrecht University, The Netherlands. The contributions of the European experts explore different systems of regulation that have developed, and which are accommodated within the legal framework and traditions of each particular country.

The aim of the volume is to stimulate international understanding of the progress made by China and the dilemmas it still faces with respect to its emerging new civil society organizations.

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