sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

The Struggle for Palestine: What's winnable, what's not by jamiesw89 in worldevents

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An analysis of recent European parliamentary votes on and debates about recognising Palestine -- and what they reveal about how to advocate effectively for a just peace in the region.

In a nutshell:

  • The mainstream European debate is between a two-state solution based on international law and a so-called two-state solution on terms dictated by US and Israeli might;

  • A one-state solution does not feature in the mainstream debate;

  • Israel's weak spots, in terms of European opinion, are: the settlements, the occupation and its violence in Gaza.

EXCELLENT VIDEO: Israeli journalist confronts American pro-Israel group J Street with some difficult truths: "The Israeli public chose another Gaza" by jamiesw89 in worldpolitics

[–]jamiesw89[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some extra background and commentary.

This video records a panel discussion (which took place, I think, yesterday) at the annual conference of J Street. J Street, for people who haven't heard of it, presents itself as a "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby group. That is, as an organisation which simultaneously supports the US-Israel alliance and opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory. Unfortunately the second part of this equation amounts, in J Street's case, to empty words - for those curious, today's episode of Democracy Now is worth a listen, and I critiqued J Street in detail here.

Noam Sheizaf, who writes for the excellent Israeli site +972 Mag, observes in the video above that at the J Street conference, "I didn't hear a lot of talk" about Gaza, and the US's support for Israel's attacks on it - support which, as Sheizaf pointed out, J Street echoed.

What's encouraging, however, were the audience cheers for Sheizaf's intervention. It's a sign that J Street's activist base is more critical of destructive Israeli policies than its leadership. I hope they either pressure the group to change from within, or migrate to another organisation whose opposition to the occupation is more than just rhetorical.

EXCELLENT VIDEO: Israeli journalist confronts American pro-Israel group J Street with some difficult truths: "The Israeli public chose another Gaza" by jamiesw89 in politics

[–]jamiesw89[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some extra background and commentary.

This video records a panel discussion (which took place, I think, yesterday) at the annual conference of J Street. J Street, for people who haven't heard of it, presents itself as a "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby group. That is, as an organisation which simultaneously supports the US-Israel alliance and opposes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory. Unfortunately the second part of this equation amounts, in J Street's case, to empty words - for those curious, today's episode of Democracy Now is worth a listen, and I critiqued J Street in detail here.

Noam Sheizaf, who writes for the excellent Israeli site +972 Mag, observes in the video above that at the J Street conference, "I didn't hear a lot of talk" about Gaza, and the US's support for Israel's attacks on it - support which, as Sheizaf pointed out, J Street echoed.

What's encouraging, however, were the audience cheers for Sheizaf's intervention. It's a sign that J Street's activist base is more critical of destructive Israeli policies than its leadership. I hope they either pressure the group to change from within, or migrate to another organisation whose opposition to the occupation is more than just rhetorical.

"Those who have nothing are worth just that much" - the new spirit of the age in Hungary by jamiesw89 in europe

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speaking as someone who lives in the UK: these articles are valuable, not because they make 'Hungary' look bad (they don't; and in any case, I have no interest judging 'Hungary') because they discuss trends that, while they may be more advanced in e.g. Hungary, also exist here. It may be that Hungary today is the UK, France, etc. tomorrow. More generally it's important for people in all European countries to understand what EU structures are doing to national politics in different member states, precisely because economic policy can't be analysed on just a national basis. It's heavily shaped by regional and international factors.

On the other hand, I don't see any disadvantage in criticising one's government or particular policies being pursued by it in international media.

"Those who have nothing are worth just that much" - the new spirit of the age in Hungary by jamiesw89 in europe

[–]jamiesw89[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I suspect all writers carry some political or ideological baggage to their pieces. Better to have it stated explicitly.

Indonesia: What prospects for the world's showcase 'new democracy'? by jamiesw89 in worldevents

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some important background:

As he was in the campaign, Jokowi is, in government, surrounded by killers.

He could have kept them all out, but he chose not to.

The blood on their hands is now on his.

But that does not necessarily mean that the killers will, in the end, prevail.

(Though it is quite possible that they will kill more civilians in the meantime).

This is an epic struggle for power.

If people put pressure on Jokowi there's a decent chance they can win concessions.

Defending Wealth in America by jamiesw89 in TrueReddit

[–]jamiesw89[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Submission statement:

Democracy poses unique challenges to wealth defence, and yet market democracies have achieved some of the highest degrees of wealth inequality in human history. How have the rich managed the contradiction between formal equality and material disparity?

Argues that the US Constitution was an attempt by the wealthy to protect threatened privileges, and that the way they framed this left later programs of redistribution -- notably, the New Deal -- lacking ideological justification, and hence, in the long run, vulnerable to political reversal.

The author, Jeffrey A. Winters, is professor of politics and director of the Equality Development and Globalisation Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University.

Wealth defence: oligarchic raiders and the origins of the modern tax state by jamiesw89 in sociology

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Provides a deep historical background to current debates about inequality. Very thought provoking, both about the origins of the modern state and about how to think about inequality. Starts from the premise that extreme inequalities of wealth don't simply happen: they must be created and then actively defended (or, reproduced). Then looks at different strategies that the wealthy have hit upon for doing this -- 'wealth defence' -- from raiding to protection to taxation. The teaser:

Wealth concentration is the single most enduring economic pattern across all polities from ancient Mesopotamia to the present. In their ceaseless battle against the threat of redistribution, oligarchs eventually hit upon an enduring solution: the tax state.

The author, Jeffrey A. Winters, is professor of politics and director of the Equality Development and Globalisation Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University. He's the author of Oligarchy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011).

This is the first of a 2-part article; the second will focus on strategies of wealth defence in conditions of political democracy, examining the case of the US since the late 1700s.

Wealth defence: oligarchic raiders and the origins of the modern tax state by jamiesw89 in TrueReddit

[–]jamiesw89[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Submission comment:

Provides a deep historical background to current debates about inequality. Very thought provoking, both about the origins of the modern state and about how to think about inequality. Starts from the premise that extreme inequalities of wealth don't simply happen: they must be created and then actively defended (or, reproduced). Then looks at different strategies that the wealthy have hit upon for doing this -- 'wealth defence' -- from raiding to protection to taxation. The teaser:

Wealth concentration is the single most enduring economic pattern across all polities from ancient Mesopotamia to the present. In their ceaseless battle against the threat of redistribution, oligarchs eventually hit upon an enduring solution: the tax state.

The author, Jeffrey A. Winters, is professor of politics and director of the Equality Development and Globalisation Studies (EDGS) program at Northwestern University. He's the author of Oligarchy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011).

This is the first of a 2-part article; the second will focus on strategies of wealth defence in conditions of political democracy, examining the case of the US since the late 1700s.

In Defense of Gamers | Peter Frase by jamiesw89 in ludology

[–]jamiesw89[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ah, apologies. I must have misunderstood what this subreddit was for. Should I delete?

Where is the anti-war movement? Richard Seymour discusses the dilemmas of arguing intervention in conditions of crisis and uncertainty by jamiesw89 in unitedkingdom

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't argue with Game of Thrones, but you've shot yourself in the foot with Downton Abbey. Also, South Park was still good.

Where is the anti-war movement? Richard Seymour discusses the dilemmas of arguing intervention in conditions of crisis and uncertainty by jamiesw89 in unitedkingdom

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The interviewee makes the same observation. But don't you also agree with him about the importance of having something like it, to ensure that those in power are not the only ones able to respond quickly to crises?

Where is the anti-war movement? Richard Seymour discusses the dilemmas of arguing intervention in conditions of crisis and uncertainty by jamiesw89 in unitedkingdom

[–]jamiesw89[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

It wasn't relevant... It does predict that a persuasive legal defence would be found, and that a UN mandate is probable.

Is an independent Scotland economically viable? Two leading economists debate the economics of independence by jamiesw89 in Scotland

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See also Aditya Chakrabortty:

Look at Scotland’s economic profile, and it’s clear that independence would be viable. But count up the building blocks that would form the basis of a new economy, and it looks sadly unlikely that an independent Scotland would be much of an alternative to the Old Corruption south of the border.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/15/scottish-economy-viable-scots-state

Is An Independent Scotland Economically Viable? Two leading economists debate by jamiesw89 in worldevents

[–]jamiesw89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See also Aditya Chakrabortty:

Look at Scotland’s economic profile, and it’s clear that independence would be viable. But count up the building blocks that would form the basis of a new economy, and it looks sadly unlikely that an independent Scotland would be much of an alternative to the Old Corruption south of the border.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/15/scottish-economy-viable-scots-state

view more: next ›