In this article I will critically analyse the various explanations for the recent rise in extreme... more In this article I will critically analyse the various explanations for the recent rise in extreme right parties (ERP). The main focus of my argument will be on the relationship between the level of immigration into a country and the level of unemployment as well as issue ownership and agenda-setting theory to justify the rise in support for these ERPs and ultimately as an explanation for why there exists variations in the rise of ERPs. I will also draw attention to the fact that the theories that can account for the rise in ERPs in Western Europe cannot be held accountable for similar trends in Central and Eastern Europe. The case of Central and Eastern Europe has developed separately from Western Europe and so has also developed its own unique reasons for the presence on ERPs in the area. An overarching focus of this article is on the theories of social cleavages which seem to be changing drastically in recent times. It would be my intention to show that the reasons for the rise in ERP legitimacy in Western Europe cannot hold true for Central and Eastern Europe as both areas have significant differences in social cleavages which can account for the variations in the rise of ERPs.
In Kant’s ‘Critique of Practical Reason’ he claims that if one is to act morally then it is imper... more In Kant’s ‘Critique of Practical Reason’ he claims that if one is to act morally then it is imperative that one acts without self-interest. (Kant and Beck, 1976; 142) Kant reasons that it is important for every person to realise the effects of their actions on others and this can only be done by a sense of duty and not by the pursuit of personal goals. This is, almost certainly, an ethical principle to live one’s life by; however, Kant seems to pay scant attention as to how hard it would be to ignore one’s own self-interest in deference to an act which could also be held by any other person in a society. The ability to view every action as an objective rather than a subjective venture would surely be to ignore a very basic human instinct? This is where I believe Freud can shed some light on the inner workings of the human mind and determine whether this was just hopeful thinking by Kant or if this principle has psychological merit.
Global inequality has become the defining characteristic of the twentieth century and is looking ... more Global inequality has become the defining characteristic of the twentieth century and is looking likely to remain so in the twenty-first century. It is my belief that this is the case due to the lack of political motivation for change. I do not believe it has been disproven that the reason for global inequality results from the exploitation of the developing countries by the global North, despite the racket of those who try to convince the public that it results from some type of local inferiority, isolated almost exclusively to the global South. It is my contention, rather, that these inequalities exist due to the neoliberal theory that currently dominates the political, and indeed moral, culture. In this article I will make an argument against the accepted wisdom of Adam Smith's "invisible hand", that markets should be free from regulation or government interference.
This essay will attempt to look at the area of inherited wealth within the context of global just... more This essay will attempt to look at the area of inherited wealth within the context of global justice. This is an important area for consideration as it will highlight the unjust nature of inheritance. An area of universal consensus in contemporary western society is the belief in equality of opportunity. However I contend that through unjust inheritance the elite in our society have an unfair advantage over the general population.
The world became a very different place after the devastating attacks on New York City on Septemb... more The world became a very different place after the devastating attacks on New York City on September 11, 2001. Without a doubt it was a much more dangerous place to live in as it open the eyes of the world to the dangers faced by terrorist groups. I will argue that this change was not adequately reflected in U.S. nuclear weapons policy which remained fixated on deterring inter-state war under the Bush Administration. Although this policy changed under the Obama Administration, it still remains dangerously reliant on nuclear weapons. I will argue that U.S. policy of nuclear weapons as a deterrent to attack is ineffective and irresponsible. This thesis shows that nuclear weapons policy under President Bush was highly flawed and created a more dangerous world to live in. While admittedly the Obama Administration negotiated new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which actively encouraged the safe storage and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, his rhetoric and actions are at odds with each other. The Obama Administration, while envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons, acted to ensure this will not become a reality in the foreseeable future by committing the U.S. taxpayer to a long and expensive process of modernisation of the nuclear arsenal. I believe that this commitment to extend the life of the nuclear weapons programme is a step in the wrong direction and will argue that non-proliferation is the only safe option available to the U.S. to counter the new threat it faces.
In this article I will critically analyse the various explanations for the recent rise in extreme... more In this article I will critically analyse the various explanations for the recent rise in extreme right parties (ERP). The main focus of my argument will be on the relationship between the level of immigration into a country and the level of unemployment as well as issue ownership and agenda-setting theory to justify the rise in support for these ERPs and ultimately as an explanation for why there exists variations in the rise of ERPs. I will also draw attention to the fact that the theories that can account for the rise in ERPs in Western Europe cannot be held accountable for similar trends in Central and Eastern Europe. The case of Central and Eastern Europe has developed separately from Western Europe and so has also developed its own unique reasons for the presence on ERPs in the area. An overarching focus of this article is on the theories of social cleavages which seem to be changing drastically in recent times. It would be my intention to show that the reasons for the rise in ERP legitimacy in Western Europe cannot hold true for Central and Eastern Europe as both areas have significant differences in social cleavages which can account for the variations in the rise of ERPs.
In Kant’s ‘Critique of Practical Reason’ he claims that if one is to act morally then it is imper... more In Kant’s ‘Critique of Practical Reason’ he claims that if one is to act morally then it is imperative that one acts without self-interest. (Kant and Beck, 1976; 142) Kant reasons that it is important for every person to realise the effects of their actions on others and this can only be done by a sense of duty and not by the pursuit of personal goals. This is, almost certainly, an ethical principle to live one’s life by; however, Kant seems to pay scant attention as to how hard it would be to ignore one’s own self-interest in deference to an act which could also be held by any other person in a society. The ability to view every action as an objective rather than a subjective venture would surely be to ignore a very basic human instinct? This is where I believe Freud can shed some light on the inner workings of the human mind and determine whether this was just hopeful thinking by Kant or if this principle has psychological merit.
Global inequality has become the defining characteristic of the twentieth century and is looking ... more Global inequality has become the defining characteristic of the twentieth century and is looking likely to remain so in the twenty-first century. It is my belief that this is the case due to the lack of political motivation for change. I do not believe it has been disproven that the reason for global inequality results from the exploitation of the developing countries by the global North, despite the racket of those who try to convince the public that it results from some type of local inferiority, isolated almost exclusively to the global South. It is my contention, rather, that these inequalities exist due to the neoliberal theory that currently dominates the political, and indeed moral, culture. In this article I will make an argument against the accepted wisdom of Adam Smith's "invisible hand", that markets should be free from regulation or government interference.
This essay will attempt to look at the area of inherited wealth within the context of global just... more This essay will attempt to look at the area of inherited wealth within the context of global justice. This is an important area for consideration as it will highlight the unjust nature of inheritance. An area of universal consensus in contemporary western society is the belief in equality of opportunity. However I contend that through unjust inheritance the elite in our society have an unfair advantage over the general population.
The world became a very different place after the devastating attacks on New York City on Septemb... more The world became a very different place after the devastating attacks on New York City on September 11, 2001. Without a doubt it was a much more dangerous place to live in as it open the eyes of the world to the dangers faced by terrorist groups. I will argue that this change was not adequately reflected in U.S. nuclear weapons policy which remained fixated on deterring inter-state war under the Bush Administration. Although this policy changed under the Obama Administration, it still remains dangerously reliant on nuclear weapons. I will argue that U.S. policy of nuclear weapons as a deterrent to attack is ineffective and irresponsible. This thesis shows that nuclear weapons policy under President Bush was highly flawed and created a more dangerous world to live in. While admittedly the Obama Administration negotiated new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which actively encouraged the safe storage and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, his rhetoric and actions are at odds with each other. The Obama Administration, while envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons, acted to ensure this will not become a reality in the foreseeable future by committing the U.S. taxpayer to a long and expensive process of modernisation of the nuclear arsenal. I believe that this commitment to extend the life of the nuclear weapons programme is a step in the wrong direction and will argue that non-proliferation is the only safe option available to the U.S. to counter the new threat it faces.
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reasons for the presence on ERPs in the area. An overarching focus of this article is on the theories of social cleavages which seem to be changing drastically in recent times. It would be my intention to show that the reasons for the rise in ERP legitimacy in Western Europe cannot hold true for Central and Eastern Europe as both areas have significant differences in social cleavages which can account for the variations in the rise of ERPs.
human mind and determine whether this was just hopeful thinking by Kant or if this
principle has psychological merit.
from regulation or government interference.
reasons for the presence on ERPs in the area. An overarching focus of this article is on the theories of social cleavages which seem to be changing drastically in recent times. It would be my intention to show that the reasons for the rise in ERP legitimacy in Western Europe cannot hold true for Central and Eastern Europe as both areas have significant differences in social cleavages which can account for the variations in the rise of ERPs.
human mind and determine whether this was just hopeful thinking by Kant or if this
principle has psychological merit.
from regulation or government interference.