Is “Multi-Level Governance” a Victim of Conceptual Overstretch?
The basic premise of MLG is that European integration has taken exclusive power away from the state and spliced it up amongst supranational and subnational actors.
Can Peace-Building be an Act of Violence?
If the international community wishes to minimize the (inadvertent) harms of its actions, then it is necessary to give more attention to violence that may be embedded in strategies used to create peace.
The Unasur-Mercosur Project, the European Crisis, and the Pacific Consensus
The South American integration processes, Unasur and Mercosur, are most directly affected by the geopolitical and geoeconomic transformations involving China’s rise, with a crucial role for Brazil as a new emerging country in this complex scenario.
The “Revolution in Military Affairs” and Counter-Insurgency
The RMA has given COIN practitioners advantages in military “clearing” operations, but has failed to markedly improve them, leaving the insurgent with advantages.
How Can Islam Help Us Tackle Climate Change?
Rather than lagging behind in awareness and action around climate change, Islamic nations should be leading the way by taking their Islamic duties to the environment more seriously.
Twin Gods, Twin Fears: Religion and Politics
Modern democracies have many lessons to learn from history about how religion can be treacherous. But the temptation to ban traditional religion from democratic politics will not ultimately serve democratic purposes.
Marijuana Legalization: Panacea in the War on Drugs or Stoners Blowing Smoke?
Marijuana legalization has the potential to undermine drug cartels, and should therefore function as part of an overarching strategy designed to eliminate both the cartels and the drug trade.
The Limits of International Relations Theory: A Postcolonial Critique
IR, as the discipline which makes the international its object of enquiry is, for the most part, an obstacle to a recognition and exploration of this, rather than a guide to it.
Is IR a Force for Good in the World Today?
The average person knows little or nothing about IR’s issues. This lack of relevance suggests that the discipline should be more self-critical. The next stage in IR’s development should not be theoretical – but attitudinal.
The Shifting Discourse of the “Responsibility to Protect”
The R2P has not only offered nothing genuine to solve the initial humanitarian intervention dilemma, but also “de-links” us from it.
