Nebrija Research Center on Security, Rule of Law and High Technologies

Summary and Lines of Research

Resumen:

The Nebrija Research Center on Security, Rule of Law and High Technologies - CINSEDAT is aimed at contributing, generating knowledge, to the need for a response that has arisen in international, European and Spanish society, around two highly relevant problem areas: security and the rule of law, as well as the influence that high technologies have on them. Similarly, the Research Center tries to promote the conditions and environment to delve into and expand the research work already carried out by the SEGERICO group.

In short, to become one of the reference Research Centers in Spain and Europe in security and rule of law.

Lines of Research:

• SUBJECT AREAS
  • Security
    
    Since the end of the Cold War, the threats to which the world had been accustomed were internal or social conflicts, mainly in developing countries. The struggle to claim rights, segregation for ethnic or political reasons, access to resources, among others, were the reasons that generated these conflicts. The response of the international community has had various manifestations, from actions for the restoration of peace, as well as activities that contribute to the strengthening of that peace and the social rapprochement that allows a better coexistence and development.
    
    This sensation of "global peace" has been altered with the emergence of a new "cold war" between the West and the great powers of Eastern Europe and Asia, China and Russia. The situation of rivalry, restlessness and danger that had been growing, like a threatening black cloud on the horizon, has materialized with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russian aggression against Ukraine not only brings with it terrible evils for the Ukrainian and Russian population, but also serious personal, family and economic consequences for the rest of Europe and, to a lesser extent, throughout the world. On the other hand, from the point of view of international law, the Russian aggression puts at stake the foundation of the security system created by the Charter of the United Nations and, with it, the roots of international peace and security.
  • Rule of Law
    
    The historical struggle to achieve an adequate structure that would allow societies to coexist in harmony, where their rights are respected, where there is security to live and develop, has made it possible to design and develop public structures where State action is controlled by Law, based on people's dignity.
    
    There are many threats and challenges to which the Rule of Law is subjected at a global level that put it to the test and, in moments of institutional weakness, lay the foundations for authoritarian and totalitarian regimes to come to power, even using democratic elements, such as the electoral ones, to achieve it, but which then act against principles of vital importance so that it is maintained, later becoming great crises that affect not only the societies that experience them, but also regional and global threats.
    
    Specifically, in recent years, we have been able to witness the emergence of strong tensions between the European Union (EU) and some of its Member States in relation, precisely, to respect for the rule of law, which constitutes one of the fundamental values of the European Union, as stated in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Naturally, the existence and validity of a true rule of law is a basic requirement for the survival of other fundamental values of the Union, such as human rights and democracy. However, the values of Article 2 of the TEU are not the only ones at stake, but the very functioning of the Union, which is essential for the effective application of EU regulations, for the maintenance of internal market conditions, for the survival of an environment conducive to investment, etc.
    
    As is known, the essence of rule of law is effective legal protection, which calls for the independence, quality and efficiency of the national judicial systems of the Member States, something that has been called into question in the recent cases of Poland, where there are open procedures within the framework of the system established in Article 7 of the TEU, which intends to sanction those Member States that seriously infringe the European values specified in Article 2 of the TEU.
    
    On the other hand, good governance is guided by the principles of efficiency and effectiveness, as well as by prioritizing public interest or common good. The institutions that are at the service of the citizens reflect the good governance of an Administration and its institutions. An effective rule of law aimed at holding public figures and institutions accountable is essential for both strong democracies and good governance; anti-corruption laws and auditing by an external body help promote transparency in public administration activities. Corruption in public processes and the provision of public goods is a key byproduct of institutions that are not backed by broad transparency and accountability. (Eric Miller & Alfonso López de la Osa, “Toward a North American Anti-Corruption Regime”, in: North America 2.0: Forging a Continental Future, forthcoming).
• PRIORITY LINES OF RESEARCH
  • Migrations
    
    As everyone knows, one of the biggest concerns of international society at the moment is migratory movements, which, in various parts of the planet, are causing gigantic humanitarian problems.
    
    Let us think of the migratory caravan in America. The United States is carrying out some policies to hinder the migratory flow that in recent months has been rising through the American continent towards its borders. Indeed, the so-called migrant caravan, made up mainly of Central Americans, has been traveling to North America since October in search of economic opportunities and security. President Trump, from the beginning of his mandate, canceled the Temporary Protected Status, ordered mass deportations and has withdrawn his country from the UN Global Compact for Migration.
    
    For its part, in Europe we are witnessing, especially since 2015, one of the biggest migratory crises since the Second World War, in particular caused by the Syrian Civil War, the irruption of ISIS in the territory of Syria and Iraq, the situation of a failed state in Libya and, in general, the situation of instability throughout the African continent. The most dramatic face of this phenomenon is constituted by the death in the Mediterranean of thousands of drowned people after being illegally transported by mafias and criminals to our continent. In 2015, the European Union launched the operation called Sophia to fight against the business model of migrant smugglers in the Mediterranean, which has managed to save many lives, but whose effectiveness is being questioned for various reasons. Operation Sophia has been, in 2020, replaced by Operation Irini, which seeks to implement the United Nations arms embargo on Libya and continue to fight against migrant trafficking in the Mediterranean.
    
    In addition to the serious migratory and humanitarian crisis, these situations are causing borderline situations in terms of the security of the States through which these migratory flows pass, as well as that of their origin and destination.
  • Global Commons (outer space, oceans, airspace, and cyberspace)
    
    From a geopolitical point of view, the global commons are areas that are outside the jurisdictions of countries. From the point of view of security, the global commons are important in terms of access, due to their military and commercial importance. Some of these areas allow the free movement of security forces as well as international trade, since no State can exercise sovereignty in them.
    
    Since each one has special characteristics, a constant study must be maintained so that their uses are not corrupted in order to generate supremacy or damage to other States, and we could also include the resources that each one of them offers and that could be exploited in benefit of some and in detriment of others.
• SPECIFIC LINES OF RESEARCH
  • Analysis of security risks and the conflicts that underlie them. The war in Ukraine and its implications for the international order. NATO and its new rebirth in the current situation after the invasion of Ukraine.
  • The transformation of security: challenges of global society and diversification of actors. Disinformation and Terrorism.
  • New scenarios of Security and Defense. Oceans, Outer Space and Cyberspace.
  • Relationship between conflicts and human rights. Protection of the person and the minor.
  • Good governance. Corruption.
  • European Union: Security, Defense and Resilience. Rule of law.
  • Judicial settlement, measurement, arbitration and conciliation: alternative formulas for conflict resolution.
  • Humanitarian Law.
  • Conflict management and peace building. Peace Operations. Peace keeping. Post-conflict management. Operational law.