Emiel Lamberts, born in Londerzeel, Belgium, in 1941. Ph.D. from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Professor Emeritus of Modern European History at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven.
Guest of the Rector (1 April 2008 – 30 June 2008)
THE STRUGGLE WITH LEVIATHAN. A QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY
The research undertaken at NIAS focused on the historical roots of the principle of subsidiarity in the European Union, and especially on the contribution of Conservatism and socio-political Catholicism in its elaboration and application. The study mainly focusses on international networks of anti-liberal and anti-socialist Catholics which operated in close cooperation with the Vatican at the end of the 19th century, and paved the way for the emergence of Christian Democracy in the 20th century. The intellectual environment at NIAS contributed in clarifying the theoretical concepts of this study and the excellent research facilities of the institute have provided valuable materials with regard to transnational phenomena and historical developments in the Netherlands and Germany. In addition, papers related to the ongoing research have been prepared and presented at workshops and conferences in Amsterdam, Brussels, Nijmegen and at NIAS.