‘Diaspora’? The Case of the Russians of Central Asia
Russians living in Central Asia and Russians returning to the Russian Federation cannot be considered to be diasporas
Arab Exceptionalism? Tunisia’s Islamist Movement
The notion of “Arab exceptionalism” has become a popular explanation for the notable lack of democratic governance in the Arab world. Written before the recent revolution, this paper explores whether or not the Tunisian Islamist movement is committed to a true democratic transition.
Entitlement to Eat: Explaining the Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933
Scholars do not agree on the causes of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, popularly known as the Holodomar (“murder by hunger”). Recent research suggests Stalin used “food as a weapon” to subdue Ukrainian national movements. This analysis poses significant challenges to the existing larger body of famine scholarship.
Is ‘Europeanization’ a Useful Concept?
This essay will argue that the existence of a number of ‘Europeanizations’ is imperative in understanding specific instances of change and integration between EU and member states that differs ‘from policy sector to policy sector’. Furthermore, the sum of these theories amounts to a detailed understanding of how the different causes of Europeanization merge and result in a more unified European Union.
Great Power interventions and the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967-1973
This thesis will argue that two pivotal moments in the Middle Easts recent history, the Six Day War of 1967 and the October War of 1973, whilst not inherently conducted or directly propagated by the Great Powers, stemmed from their irresponsible interference.
Environment Law and Underdevelopment in the Niger Delta Region
There is no ecological zone which has been so degraded and laid waste to than the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The bounties of nature bestowed on this geographical area have gradually been turned into its instruments of poverty and squalor, and the area remains grossly underdeveloped.
Did the End of the Cold War or 9/11 Have a Greater Impact on European Security?
The end of the cold war, the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and later in Moscow, Beslan, Madrid and London, the nuclear threats from Iran and North-Korea, the situation in the Balkans and Near East and the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan all have demonstrated the practical implications of conceptual changes in European security.
Why the European Parliament Will Not Solve the ‘Democratic Deficit’
Ultimately, expanding the powers of the European Parliament is nothing more than a pseudo-solution. Without a structural solution, such as a shift from an intergovernmental to a federal polity, any attempt to ‘democratize’ the European Union by increasing the powers of supranational institutions will inevitably fail.
The European Union: Power and Ethical Goals
The particular theory of “Ethical Power Europe” is one that has emerged relatively recently as an evolution of the characterisation of the power that the EU wields. The EU is finding it hugely difficult to act in a truly ethical foundation, devoid of self-interest as a primary motivator. Even the consistent location of the External Relations policy of the EU in a framework of Security suggests that the security of the EU that is the primary motivating factor rather than ethical goals
Amazon Battle: Is hydropower the new Kobayashi Maru?
The Belo Monte and the Madeira Dams have been subjected to criticism due to their negative impacts on indigenous populations of the Xingu and Madeira River. Besides threatening the livelihood of indigenous communities, the projects also have significant negative impacts on the environment. This nevertheless remains a popular option among policy-makers.
