Violence in the International System: Biological Necessity or Social Construct?
Violence in the international system can manifest itself in several ways. Principal among these are interstate war, civil war and military interventions. Yet in terms of human behaviour, conflict is relatively infrequent. This essay will examine this paradox.
The Single European Currency as a catalyst for integration within the EU
The Euro, by design and recent accident, has been a catalyst to integration within the EU, but with the caveat that this integration is unevenly distributed. Even if there are disparities in broader levels of integration, the determination to avoid failure has unified the euro-area members and non-members alike.
“In less developed countries politics and not mineral endowments is at the root of violent conflict”. Discuss.
In looking at the cases of Angola, Indonesia and Zaire it can be clearly demonstrated that though minerals are of significance they are only so because of political decisions. The discussion begins with an evaluation of the ‘resource curse’ argument looking closely at its empirical grounding and two main explanatory models: rent seeking and the rentier state. The robustness of this analysis is then questioned and the relationship of mineral resources and politics to the root of violent conflict is assessed through the use of detailed case studies.
Assessing the Impact of the Tea Party on the Republican Party
Did the Tea Party movement revitalise the Republicans? Or did its powerful vocal support from a relative minority of citizens force the Republican Party to move too far to the political right?
Is War Primarily the Product of ‘Human Nature’?
While not always clearly expressed, human nature is the immediate basis of all human endeavours up to and including war and expands to the pursuit of those resources most vital to survival.
The Centre and the Regions in Contemporary Russia
There is widespread acknowledgement that Putin’s federal reforms have had considerable success in subordinating regional authorities to the will of central government. And undoubtedly, Putin believed that such reforms were a necessary aspect of reigning in the “emotionalism” and resultant chaos of the Yeltsin years.
What Challenges Face Attempts to Alleviate Social Suffering within Israel/Palestine?
This essay first briefly explains the significance of ‘structural violence’ in Israeli society, before going on to critically examine dominant conceptions of ‘suffering’ in the Israeli context, arguing that the pragmatic and rationalist bias of this notion itself constitutes one major hindrance to ‘healing’. Finally, I consider the role of silence and memory in perpetuating suffering in Israel, looking specifically at the two imbricated elements of Holocaust memorialisation and the construction of the Other, arguing for a more processual rather than essentialist conception of suffering, community, healing and memory.
Self Censorship and the Danish Cartoons Controversy
Self-censorship plays an integral role in the maintenance of freedom of expression since responsible use of that right prevents calls for its revocation.
The Counterproductivity of US Covert Action During The Cold War
The long term consequences of covert action during the Cold War and the legacy left from ethically dubious plans have cost the US more than they gained.
Towards Presidentialism in Australia?
Australia has undergone a wide range of changes, impacting on the traditional role and image of its politics.
