http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32857 2026-04-07T08:28:35Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33109 Title: General-Purpose AI models and EU Trade Mark infringement: Navigating the labyrinth Authors: Krokida, Z Editors: Bonadio, E; Mezei, P Abstract: ... Description: ... 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33012 Title: A comparative study of responses to corruption in the Gulf: National efforts of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE Authors: Aladwani, Athari Abstract: Corruption proves to be a complex issue, as it negatively affects all branches of social and political life. Corruption practices compromise trust in the political system, as well as hindering economic development (including investment flows) and preventing the recognition and the enjoyment of civil and political rights.¹ [...] Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32893 Title: Continuing Contestation of the Concept of Democracy: A Norm or a Right? Authors: Conway, G Abstract: Democracy was one of the concepts given by Gallie as contested, and the practice and articulation of the concept since Gallie wrote in the 1950s suggest the understanding of democracy as a jural concept remains disputed. Gallie’s theory of an essentially contested concept supposed there exists recognised or shared ideas of political or philosophical importance subject nonetheless to ongoing contestation as to their meaning that is not marginal. More recent scholarship has tended to affirm Gallie’s analysis of democracy, with refinements about how to articulate the extent or character of contestedness, and notwithstanding the widespread adoption of democratic systems of government after the Cold War. Held identifies over ten different conceptions as to how a democracy can be structured, while scholars also disagree about the measurement of a democratic standard whatever the structural form self-described democratic institutions may take, especially regarding the concept of participation and regarding procedural and substantive accounts of democracy (or of the quality of democracy). Scholars have also recently disputed the status of democracy as a ‘right’, in the sense of it having a normative status beyond what recognition may be given to it in particular national systems. While the notion of democracy as a right may be considered the strongest expression of its normative value, international practice, including, for example, in the EU and Council of Europe, has strengthened claims for the global normative standing of democracy beyond individual States. Taking Gallie’s concept of essentially contested concepts as a starting point, this paper considers to what extent a core normative content of the concept of democracy can be identified, including to what extent the concept overlaps or interacts with other politically and legally endorsed norms such as rights and the rule of law. Description: 20 slides. 2024-07-07T00:00:00Z http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/32892 Title: The Evolution of UK-EU Relations since Brexit Authors: Conway, G Abstract: The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the EU and UK covers a very broad range of areas of cooperation, from the core integration issue of trade to criminal justice, while still leaving numerous matters open for further agreement and negotiation. Since the TCA was adopted in late 2019, the major subsequent agreement has been the Windsor Framework, primarily concerned with further reconciling the exceptional situation of Northern Ireland as being in principle within both the EU and UK internal markets. Amongst the issues publicly identified as having potential for greater agreement between both sides is mutual recognition in trade in goods, a framework for which could not be agreed in the TCA. This has been amongst the most noticeable practical effects of Brexit, at least for traders if not for the general public, as it has required an extensive phased new set of trading arrangements, as well as the pragmatic negotiation of a rolling over of CE recognition. This paper evaluates the longer-term significance of the Windsor Framework as an adjustment to the TCA as well as the matters which could be considered to be obviously outstanding or with an evident potential for further negotiation and agreement in the right political circumstances, including mutual recognition. It seeks to put the development of ongoing cooperation under the TCA in the political context of the future EU-UK political relationship and whether the UK is likely to prefer either a close and cooperative alignment with the EU or a more self-assertive path of differentiation. Description: 18 slides. 2024-09-01T00:00:00Z