European Colonial Politics and the Roots of the Holocaust
Whilst the German experience in South West Africa is significant, the wider phenomenon of imperial domination is the greater contributory factor to the genocidal Nazi mentality. An ethos of thought and norms developed in the colonies which created the potential for totalitarian domination and mass extermination in Europe, culminating in the catastrophic events of the Holocaust.
Making It Happen: A Global Civil Society
A global civil society is not a plan in itself, nor is it a new or futuristic idea. Yet, is part of a greater restructuring of the international system and of our world order. Consequently, as philosophers before our times rightfully attested, the global civil society was founded not merely to preserve the lives of its members; but so that they might live well.
Women and Microfinance: A Route to Poverty Reduction?
The first part this essay introduces the concept of microfinance and the rationale behind targeting women, which is critically examined. The second part looks at the impact of microfinance initiatives on poverty alleviation. Drawing on examples from some African and Asian countries, the argument is built on the examination of two dimensions of poverty, namely income generation and empowerment.
Critically assess the decision to go to war against Iraq in 2003
The decision for the United States and Britain to go to war with Iraq in 2003 was, and remains, one of the most controversial foreign policy acts that any British government has undertaken. This essay proceeds to compare and contrast the various aspects of the Just War Theory with the causes and outcomes of the war against Iraq in order to determine whether the war conforms to the theory.
Does global civil society undermine or support contemporary global governance?
The advent of contemporary global governance promoted a shift in the way civil society organized its activities. Not long ago civil society developed within a specific form of governance based on the nation state and its activities had a fixed space, reflected in national boundaries and the nation state. Nowadays it has become more common to speak of a global civil society which transcends the territorial boundaries of states.
What is the Relationship Between Domestic and Foreign Policy? Should they even be Distinguished?
This essay will argue that foreign policy is “primarily generated from within”. The influence of the domestic forms the basis of foreign strategy, overshadowing but not discounting remaining elements. The correlation between both policy areas is one of great strength.
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions: A Conflict of Interest?
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions’ first and second allegiances are to the government and the employer respectively, as it is in these organisations that the power and funding is to be found. Employees in the future will likely find ways in which to find greater representation, either through alternative foreign trade unions, or through employee formed trade unions, as has already been seen in Shanghai.
The Freedom Party of Austria and the Rise of Euroscepticism
Euroscepticism is becoming much more mainstream and it is now almost expected of all political parties to openly criticise the EU in some form or another.
U.S. National Security and Climate Change
The report, “An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for US National Security,” attempts to predict future climate change possibilities, but is flawed.
International Development: Bringing the State Back In
NGOs have often been lauded for their efforts in international development. It was long assumed that aid money given to an NGO would be more efficient, more accountable democratically to local civil organizations, and more likely to reach the intended people and not a foreign bank account. As many states democratized, the NGOs assisting them became increasingly dependent on funding from neoliberal donors. Critics, such as Zaidi, Petras, and Kamat, have begun to argue that the NGOs themselves have become unaccountable and undemocratic. They propose bringing the state back into the development process. Yet would this solution be truly effective in light of the massive debts, dependence, and global structural imbalances faced by many developing states?
