All there is to know in international relations
DeepDip 2 International relations, law and politics BlogsThe message highlights differing perspectives in international relations, where some see conflict while others see cooperation. Despite differing viewpoints, both sides criticize relativism, emphasizing the importance of perspective and imagination in understanding global affairs.
What gives? Revolution or civil engagement and resistance?
DeepDip 2 Politics and governance, Citizen engagement BlogsThe battle between accommodationists advocating civil engagement and revolutionaries promoting outright revolution has persisted. Accommodationists aim for dialogue and civil disobedience, while revolutionaries favor more radical action. It is challenging for people to effectively address grievances without resorting to violence or tokenism. Success in obtaining redress and implementing lasting change is the primary goal. A quantitative study titled "Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict" sheds light on the effectiveness of nonviolent methods in achieving long-term success.
Compensating victims of terrorism: Looking at it from the point of view of international law and national culture
DeepDip 2 International relations, law and politics BlogsThe text discusses the complexity of compensating victims of terrorism, touching on issues in international law and national culture. It raises questions such as successor liability, sponsorship, state responsibility for terrorist groups, entitlement to compensation, determining compensation levels, closure through monetary compensation, and distribution oversight. The importance of addressing these issues justly rather than expediently, drawing on historical conflicts, and considering principles is highlighted as key in resolving such disputes effectively.
What is “best practice?”
DeepDip 2The author critiques the term "best practice," deeming it an oxymoron as adaptation determines effectiveness. They share a video displaying the dynamic relationship between a drongo bird and meerkats in Africa, suggesting using it to illustrate teaching "best practice.
Is IT transforming democracy?
DeepDip 2The message discusses the impact of IT on democracy, particularly in the context of legislative processes and popular initiatives. It highlights how technology can be used for both positive and negative purposes in shaping democracy, with examples from Italy and Switzerland. The message emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between leveraging technology for progress while preserving the deliberative aspects of democracy to avoid succumbing to emotional decision-making.
Three outstanding US diplomats
DeepDip 2The text highlights the importance of internal dissent within diplomatic circles, citing examples of diplomats like Archer, Robert White, and H. Carl Gettinger who stood up against government demands, even at the expense of their careers. These diplomats demonstrated the value of principled dissent in diplomacy, urging readers to learn from their stories.
The US Presidential elections: A preview from the past
DeepDip 2The preview discusses a manga on Japan's history and links it to the upcoming US Presidential election. It highlights how conviction can overpower facts in decision-making and how following the loudest voice may seem safer. The message emphasizes the importance of facts and prudence in decision-making, cautioning against blindly following popular opinions.
Are states ‘unitary actors’?
DeepDip 2The text explores the concept of states being 'unitary actors' and delves into historical instances where this theory faltered. Examples include the handling of the Japanese oil embargo by President Roosevelt and the miscommunication leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack. The message highlights the challenges of vertical lines of communication within states, emphasizing that the 'unitary' theory often fails due to information distortion and lack of honest reporting between principals and agents.
Are states ‘rational actors’?
DeepDip 2The message discusses the concept of states as rational actors in international relations, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes rather than assuming infallibility. It provides historical examples, such as the Seven Deadly Sins of the German Reich, to illustrate the consequences of irrational decisions made by states. The text warns against blindly accepting the assumption that states act in a rational manner, as this can lead to dangerous outcomes.
Big data and cultural religious history
DeepDip 2A significant amount of research funding is being allocated to create an online encyclopedia of religious cultural history using big data. The ambitious project aims to assemble and structure vast amounts of information, but faces challenges due to distortions in Western records of various religions and the contextual nature of religious beliefs worldwide. There are doubts about quantifying and analyzing religious experiences effectively through big data methods. The effectiveness of such an endeavor in capturing the complexities and nuances of religious history remains uncertain.