Review – The Wretched Atom
Jacob Hamblin’s empirically rich and engaging book delves into the hidden American and Soviet agendas behind the promotion of nuclear technologies in the 20th century.
The Cause of Positivism’s Dominance
This essay will critically analyse the notion that there is a fundamental difference between the tasks of ‘explaining’ (comprehending ‘causes’) and ‘understanding’ (comprehending ‘reasons’). First, the essay will examine the emergence of the sharp division, which has come to be accepted as existent between ‘explaining’ (which is advocated by positivists) and ‘understanding’ (which is advocated by post-positivists). Second, one important consequence of the division will be demonstrated by showing how the intellectual battles between positivists and post-positivists, as well as the occasional attempts at reconciliation between them, have been instrumental in positivism’s dominance. Finally, the work of Milja Kurki will be drawn upon to argue that the concept of causation should be broadened, thereby exposing the interrelated nature of ‘explaining’ and ‘understanding’ without reducing one to the other. This will allow for positivism’s dominance to be effectively challenged.
The politics of Roxana Saberi’s imprisonment
The controversial imprisonment by Iranian authorities of Roxana Saveri, an American citizen, has occurred just as there was an expectation of a thaw in Iranian-US relations. In March, president Obama used the occasion of the Iranian New Year to send a promising message to Tehran. Although, he did not impress every faction of the Iranian political elite, his commitment to a “new approach” was seen as a potential breakthrough for Iranian-US relations.
Covid-19’s Impact on Global Health
The gaps and divisions created by the Covid-19 pandemic have profoundly affected international relations because everything about the origins and spread of the novel coronavirus has been contentious.
New Book – Decolonizing Politics and Theories from the Abya Yala
This book has important contributions, but it has a greater virtue – to generate concerns of various topics from decolonial thought of great relevance at this time for the social sciences.
Poverty and Wealth
Poverty and wealth are often found side by side. They are two dimensions in our world that are interrelated because they affect each other and influence both the willingness and capacity of states to ensure a stable global system.
Why Is Identity Politics Failing to Curb Social Injustice?
Why is identity politics failing? This essay examines the shortcomings of identity politics within caste-based politics in India and racial politics in the U.S.
Spectacular Violence: Pellet Guns and the Sovereign Right to Maim in Kashmir
Perspectives of violence, visuality and disability help reveal ways of seeing in Kasmir and how the blinded body serves both as a sight and site of politics.
Review – Vernacular Border Security
This book examines why European citizens’ border anxieties increase with heightened border security in response to the migration crisis.
New Book – Ukraine’s Outpost: Dnipropetrovsk and the Russian-Ukrainian War
This book challenges disinformation and stereotypes of Ukraine which portray it as a regionally divided country with the military conflict as a ‘civil war’ between Russian and Ukrainian speakers.
