Germany’s position on inter-State political and economic relations and transactions is addressed in this chapter. It is divided into four parts: diplomatic and consular relations; diplomatic and consular protection; unilateral coercive measures short of the use of force; and the law of treaties. The first part covers Cameroon protesting over the lack of protection of its embassy in Berlin against the background of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; an arrest warrant of a German court for the Namibian ambassador to Germany in the context of diplomatic immunity; German-Syrian diplomatic relations and the status of the Syrian National Coalition office in Berlin; the recall of the German ambassadors to Rwanda and Venezuela; and South Africa and Iraq accusing Germany of breaching the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The third part covers Germany sanctioning Iran by suspending the operating licence of an Iranian airline; and Germany’s use of persona non grata declarations as a general act of retorsion. The fourth part addresses Germany becoming a party to the Hong Kong Convention; the USA accusing Germany of breaching a treaty concerning extradition; and Germany’s position and practice on provisional application of treaties.

In analyzing the existing and future transportation system in general, and the testing and deployment of automated and self-driving vehicles in particular, this chapter demonstrates that the application of our framework provides a good understanding of the interdependencies between the technological and institutional dimensions at stake. An analysis of both the vertical coordination between the layers along these two dimensions, respectively, and the horizontal alignment between them offers in-depth insights about the complexity of the transportation network and the conditions to be met if the expected services are to be delivered. The changes in the technological architecture, with the introduction of technological designs and operation of automated vehicles, and their interdependence with macro-institutional values, in particular safety but also security, privacy, and efficiency, offer a rich opportunity to analyze the structural complexities at stake. In this chapter, we focus on the layer of transactions: transactions between car manufacturers and their suppliers, between car manufacturers and the providers of the transportation services, and between these providers and their customers. The importance of the alignment between technical operations and micro-institutions is illustrated by the fatal accident involving an automated test car on March 19, 2018 in a street in Tempe, Arizona.

This chapter assesses factors of alignment between institutions and the technology of network infrastructures, and how to achieve or restore alignment. This is a significant challenge, since institutions and technologies are “two worlds apart” that need to be brought together. This is accomplished in three steps. First, we specify how technology and institutions are interrelated at three layers of analysis: structure, governance, and transactions. By connecting these three layers with the services to be provided, we are able to identify the conditions to be fulfilled within each layer, in order for the critical functions to be safeguarded. Second, we focus on characterizing different problems of coordination that develop either within the technological dimension, or within the institutional dimension. Our underlying argument is that modalities of coordination adopted to solve these problems may partially differ, depending on whether we are looking at the technological side or the institutional side, but that they ultimately need to share compatible characteristics if alignment is to be reached and the critical functions satisfied. Third, when disturbances of different orders challenge the existing arrangements, we provide indications as to how alignment can be reached, or reestablished, at the three layers we have identified.

The chapter outlines and commercial and legal context for the subject matter of the book. Pivotal to the context of commercial law during the period to book covers was Britain’s dominant role in international trade and finance for a significant part of it. Commodities traded in the organised markets in London and Liverpool often set world prices. International trade was financed through London-based banks. Trading firms in Britain or with links to it imported raw materials to Europe and distributed exports. The law furnished a broad framework within which this commercial and financial activity took place. During the period state regulatory law was at a minimum and parties and markets were free to engage in private law-making. Lawyers and the courts were kept at bay, with the bulk of disputes being dealt with through private dispute settlement in the form of arbitration. When courts were involved, n the main they lent support with principles of party autonomy, a clear preference for certain and predictable rules and a supportive disposition. When legal difficulties were encountered, these were fairly readily surmounted by contractual or private arrangements. Overall, the law cast few shadows over profit making.