Warfare is one of the most tragic institutions devised by humans. Many philosophers and intellectuals of by-gone eras have pondered over the destruction left by war. They have questioned the merits behind purported motives for war. The scale of human and material loss incurred in wars is hard to justify through reasoning. If conventional warfare…
Category: Politics
All the articles that come under politics domain.
Argumentative Essay: Is Utilitarianism a ‘universalist’ and ‘impartialist’ theory?
While Utilitarianism as a practical philosophy can find application in affairs of democratic policy making and economics, its stature are a satisfactory system of morality is contested. The scholarly consensus as of date is that Utilitarianism is a partial system of morality and is somewhat inadequate on account of its authors’ reluctance to front up…
Gun violence problem in America: Causes and possible solutions
Michael Moore’s controversial documentary film Bowling for Columbine shows up a mirror to American society and asks serious questions of it. Just a cursory glance at comparative statistics between the USA and European countries shows the wide gulf in gun-related crime rates, with the former way off scale when compared to the latter. Yet, despite…
How are radical transformations in perception and practice of homosexuality impacting Middle East society?
Introduction: Each of the four articles in question discusses an aspect of homosexuality in the Middle East. Despite the region being largely Islamic, with its attendant conservative sexual codes, queer sexuality is being expressed in unprecedented ways. Israel, Iran, Morocco and Lebanon are the focus of the four articles. Each of these countries has had…
Defense Spending and the Military-Industrial Complex
Dwight Eisenhower’s warnings about the Military-Industrial Complex have proved prophetic in the years since. Addressing the nation on occasion of his tenure’s closure, he reminded Americans about the threat to democratic policy-making posed by this corrupt nexus. Levin-Waldman’s concept of the ‘iron triangle’ closely aligns with Eisenhower’s understanding. Indeed, the former President had to strike…
Shooting an Elephant: A critical appreciation
George Orwell’s Shooting an Elephant is one of the best short stories to have appeared during the last days of British colonialism. Partly autobiographical in its content, the short story narrates the difficulties encountered by a colonial officer in Burma, as is sent on a mission to shoot down a rampaging Elephant which has already…
Critical Analysis: The Political Economy of Culture by Sut Jhally
The article’s objective is to discuss how ‘culture’ has become a commercial and indoctrinating industry under the capitalist economic system. The author identifies two or three key mechanisms through which culture is manufactured and distributed towards achieving its goals. Author Sut Jhally is not in doubt as to the propagandistic or profit-oriented motives of mass…
The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente
Geopolitical equations toward the end of the 19th century were as complex as it was fragile. The two broad groupings were the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. These two distinct groupings came into existence in 1882 and lasted till the First World War. But even among alliance partners, there were conflicts of interest and…
What advantages and disadvantages might a World Government have?
The idea of a World Government has been in currency for more than half a century. Though very idealistic, many practical geo-political considerations and private economic interests have come in the way of its fulfilment. The subject continues to be debated in academic institutions in North America and Europe, with various proposals being made for…
In-depth analysis of the Occupy Wall Street movement
The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement witnessed in recent months is one of the most significant socio-political events to have taken place in the history of the United States of America. Measuring merely by the weight of popular support and enthusiastic participation evinced by the movement, it could be equated with the Civil Rights movement…