Julia Osborn on 'What happened to Social Justice? On the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)' (Jan 12th, 2010)

Ten years ago the Lisbon Strategy was introduced to make Europe the most “the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy”. Since the Lisbon Strategy was launched there has been considerable activity in education across Europe. The ‘knowledge’ economy has made higher education (HE) and universities the cornerstone of Europe’s growth and competitiveness agenda. Moreover, in 1999, the Bologna declaration was signed to establish a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that would make European Higher Education more compatible and comparable, and the Bologna declaration has subsequently become a fully integrated part of the Lisbon Agenda

Nathan Coombs on 'Perils of the Green Movement Strategy in Iran' (Jan 12th, 2010)

In The Guardian Simon Tisdall recently asked whether the bloody protests we are witnessing on the streets of Iran herald a ‘second revolution?’ All the trademark signs seem to be there. Much like in the run-up to 1979 the protests are beginning to move in cycles locked into the mourning rituals of those who have died in support of the cause; all too familiar are the scenes of the streets filling with masses openly defying authority – which with every fumbling attempt at repression only loosen their legitimacy and hold on power.

Nathan Coombs on 'The Battle for Free Education' (Nov 2nd, 2009)

After years of exhausting fights between students, teachers and the rectorate there was a huge displeasure noticeable. One of the main reasons for this was a successive undemocratisation of the academy of fine arts going along with a structural empowerment of the rector. Even the election of the rector caused big resentment and was followed by a judgment of the state that Clementine Deliss - she applied for the rectors job - was sexually discriminated as she was not chosen although she had been the only candidate with a broad popularity amongst students, teachers and the senate. read more

Chris Perkins on 'Economic or Cultural Globalisation? Useless Question?' (Oct 5th, 2009)

At the recent Global Studies Association (GSA) conference during which this journal was launched, September 2nd to 4th 2009, there were a number of references made to the spectre of economism in global studies.  The study of global processes has been, so the argument goes, hampered by a dogmatic institutional bias towards seeing globalisation in economic terms, and this will not do.  Instead scholars need to focus on cultural globalisation, and if one had to choose between the two, cultural globalisation should take priority.  This was all, it must be admitted, a certain amount of preaching to the converted: of all the presentations, only two were openly economistic. But in a sense this is beside the point.  What is perplexing about the cultural / economic distinction is that it seems to be based on the assumption that scholars can somehow get globalisation right...read more

Nathan Coombs on 'Nostalghia unto Death' (Sept 23rd, 2009)

"The famous Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky once described the experience of exile for a Russian as “nostalghia” – he insisted that the word not be translated into proper English, but rather retain an awkward spelling. For Tarkovsky, a Russian leaving their homeland would experience a form of spiritual and physical death read more

Pepijn van Houwleingen on 'Another new beginning' (June 26th, 2009)

"Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, boldly titled A New Beginning, has evoked great optimism amongst observers in both Europe and the US. It is certainly true that the President’s eloquent, carefully worded appeal for reconciliation and peace in the Middle East provides a welcome change to the hapless rhetoric of his predecessor: George Bush the younger. Who could disagree with Obama’s lofty and inspiring statements? Citing from the Quran, the Bible and the Torah, and speaking of “civilisation’s debt to Islam” and the task of “recognizing our common humanity” – as well as not using the word ‘terrorism’ – Obama symbolically reached out to those who had felt insulted and humiliated by the previous administration’s approach, which was generally perceived to be of a more belligerent nature..." read more

Nikos Sotirakopoulos on 'The Greek uprising, 6 months on' (July 14th, 2009)

"Saturday night, 6th of December 2008, in the Exarhia area of Athens: a countercultural and libertarian stronghold. A group of young people have a verbal altercation with two members of the police special forces. The policemen leave the scene only to return after several minutes. Suddenly, one of the officers, Epameinondas Korkoneas, removes his gun and fires into the group. The bullet strikes and fatally wounds 15 year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos, who falls to the ground dead.  It was the incident that triggered more than 20 days of rioting and unrest that would shock the country. They were “the days and nights of Alexis” as the participants have called them, in memory of the murdered boy..." read more

Lee Jones on 'International Relations and the Ivory Tower' (May 12th, 2009)

"Joseph Nye has an interesting piece in the Washington Post asking why no IR scholars were picked to serve in the Obama administration; his answer is that the profession has withdrawn to its ivory towers and must make itself more relevant in the future...." read more

Nathan Coombs on 'Capitalism, Keynes, Socialism' (April 25th, 2009)

"In reaction to the global economic crisis, in his cover story for the current issue of Prospect magazine Geoff Mulgan tantalisingly holds out the promise of what life would looks like ‘After Capitalism’[i]. The only problem is that his hodgepodge of possible routes beyond capitalism – foremost the vague vision of “servant capitalism” – not only do not transcend capitalism, are not only being articulated by those with the greatest stake in promulgating capitalism (he even cites David Cameron as playing a part), but are even aspects of capitalism with us today: the same aspects to have played their part in inducing the global crisis that supposedly marks the beginning of a new epoch...." read more

Pepijn van Houwelingen, 'Euros don't buy the Palestinians political rights' (April 20th 2009)

"The carnage of Israel's recent invasion of Gaza spurred great numbers of dismayed Europeans to participate in demonstrations against the war. In major cities such as Madrid, Brussels, Rome, Berlin and London, tens of thousands took part in demonstrations to make clear to their governments that what was happening was unacceptable. Yet, their objections to Israel's massive use of deadly force were not reflected in the declarations and actions of their countries, as represented by Europe's most significant political body, the European Union, which did not alter its policy of status quo relations with Israel...." read more

Chris Perkins, 'Fight fire with fire?' (April 20th, 2009)

"On the 5th of April 2009, after a few false alarms, North Korea launched a ballistic missile with the (supposed) intention of putting a communications satellite into orbit.  It was feared that parts of the missile would fall on prefectures in the north of Japan’s main island Honshu.  In the end the missile passed over Japanese airspace, its first stage dropping into the Sea of Japan.  The launch was the latest episode in turbulent North Korea – Japan relations.  It also marked a possible turning point in political moves towards revision of the peace constitution.  Such revision would require national debate, and it is being hotly contested in academic circles....." read more