An Interview with Dr. Jean-Paul Gagnon on Democratic Theory and Politics
An Interview with Dr. Jean-Paul Gagnon on Democratic Theory and Politics Originally published December 11, 2011, by the Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (online March 28, 2014). Interview conducted by Husrev Tabak. [The first interview I gave aside from answering a few questions for a local journalist who visited my grammar school when I […]
The End of War? Global Citizenship and Changes to Conflict
The End of War? Global Citizenship and Changes to Conflict Originally published December 11, 2011, by the Centre for Strategic Research and Analysis (online March 31, 2014). [In reading about global democracy and its prospects for peace I came to think about how societies have changed, in large part due to technologies relating to media, […]
A Book Review of Ed Wigenbach’s ‘Institutionalizing Agonistic Democracy: Post Foundationalism and Political Liberalism’ (Originally published by the Melbourne Journal of Politics, 36, 2013, Pp. 74-75). [One of the main critiques made against agonistic democracy, and it’s so old now as to really probably be annoying to the followers of that model of democracy, is […]
Huron Socialism: A New Political System
Huron Socialism: A New Political System Originally published by AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 8(2), 2012, Pp. 115-127. [There was, aside from intellectual curiosity, a personal reason for writing this essay—my family has historic ties to one of the Huron clans that came to settle in Wendake, Québec, after they lost the “Beaver […]
Gaddafi and Libya – a case for just intervention?
Gaddafi and Libya – a case for just intervention? Originally published by openDemocracy, April 1, 2011. [This short essay was borne out of an urge to “speak out of” the expression of international democracy that I saw happening in how many people, around the world, were relating to Libyans and vice versa during their moment […]
Safety in Numbers: strengthening resistance to anti-democratic challenges
VIDEO Safety in Numbers: Strengthening Resistance to Anti-Democratic Challenges democracy now with German subtitles! This short essay, originally published by the ECPR’s blog The Loop (https://theloop.ecpr.eu/safety-in-num…), was extended to consider its utopian directions. It was then presented at the Australian Utopias Network Seminar on Nov 2, 2020. See here for the YouTube link to the […]
Treasurer or Member for Lilley? Perhaps Wayne Swan doesn’t have to be both
Treasurer or Member for Lilley? Perhaps Wayne Swan doesn’t have to be both Originally published by The Conversation, May 8, 2012. [A short essay proposing an innovation for the Australian approach to representative democracy (although the point does extend to other, similar, political jurisdictions). Ministers are clearly busy with their portfolio(s) so how is it possible […]
An Intervention on ‘Democracy’ as a Term in Empirical Political Analysis
An Intervention on ‘Democracy’ as a Term in Empirical Political Analysis Originally published by Public Administration and Policy, 15(2), 2012, Pp. 68-92. [A Sartorian gripe, this was. I challenge anyone who has read both Sartori’s early book Democratic Theory (translation of his Democrazia e Definizione) but also both parts to his 1987 book The Theory […]
A right royal rip-off – how much should Commonwealth nations pay for the Queen’s Jubilee?
A right royal rip-off – how much should Commonwealth nations pay for the Queen’s Jubilee? Originally published by The Conversation, February 7, 2012. [This short essay actually resulted from a heated debate during a dinner with my family. One member, to remain nameless, is a staunch monarchist. The rest, sensible, gracious, (of course in my eyes), democrats with […]
A Potential Demarcation Between “Old” and “New” Democratic Theory?
A Potential Demarcation Between “Old” and “New” Democratic Theory?: An Attempt at Positioning a Segment of the ExtantLiterature Originally published by Social Alternatives, 30(3), 2011, Pp. 5-9. [I wrote this for a special issue that cultural sociologist, and old friend, Nicholas Osbaldiston proposed. The piece was inspired by John Keane’s Life and Death of Democracy, […]
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