Tag Archives: politics

War is a mere continuation of politics with other means

In the toolbox of policymakers, war is one among many. When deemed appropriate by the powers that be, war can be chosen as a means of enacting policy – no more or less legitimate than any other – albeit, crucially, not to replace, but to complement other tools of policy. When the Prussian military GeneralContinue reading “War is a mere continuation of politics with other means”

The worst has happened

I have been delaying this post for two weeks now, in false hope and denial, but the truth is, we have COVID-19 community transmission here in our town for the first time, a year after the pandemic began. We are okay, of course, but the poorer communities are not. It is more heartbreaking that thereContinue reading “The worst has happened”

A quick thought on where we are right now

You’d be forgiven for thinking we’ve hit rock bottom only to break out the shovels. After 9/11, the world lost its mind. Rights curtailed, industries overhauled, countries invaded. Now, Covid-19 causes one 9/11 a day in deaths, in the US alone, yet here we are. On top of that, there is societal division, mounting US-ChinaContinue reading “A quick thought on where we are right now”

Fixing Democracy

“Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others”. Winston Churchill’s words in the House of Commons from 11 November 1947 still ring true today. While democracy certainly solved many of the problems that plague other political systems, it still struggles with at least one: It only puts people in charge whoContinue reading “Fixing Democracy”

How much climate protection can we afford?

I read a headline rather similar to this in the German newspaper FAZ today. It’s a good article that refers to this letter of “Business Europe”, one of Europe’s most important industry conglomerates, to EU-Commission vice president and person responsible for the prestigious “European Green Deal” project, Frans Timmermans. The letter basically read: Climate protectionContinue reading “How much climate protection can we afford?”

The end of the world! (As we know it)

Comments abound these days of people touting the end of the world because of COVID-19. But I assure you, the world is doing just fine. Better than ever even. It is just us, humankind, that faces unprecedented challenges because of the pandemic. So, I wanted to list some things that I think are going toContinue reading “The end of the world! (As we know it)”