Politics, Philosophy and Economics graduate from the University of York. Worked in Nicaragua, China and the Philippines. Strong interests in international relations, geopolitics, history and their combined macro effects on markets. Keen biography geek, technology enthusiast and sports fan. Lover of dogs, Robin Cook, Catch-22 and a fair few other obscure, unrelated things.
This essay proposes the notion that there are many similarities between the 2008 war in Georgia a... more This essay proposes the notion that there are many similarities between the 2008 war in Georgia and the 2014 conflict in Ukraine yet there are obviously cosmetic differences too. The Russian motivations for aggression remain constant, and both conflicts are similar in that Russia succeeds in annexing territory. The west's response to both conflicts have been different however, and the essay shall further examine the volatility that surrounds the west's decision making. The disputed territories of Crimea, Abkhazia and South Ossetia fall within Russia's supposed 'sphere of influence' which has diminished after the Rose Revolution of Georgia and the Orange Revolution of Ukraine. The pro-Western orientation of these two countries became a major issue for Russia yet for Georgia and the Ukraine, maintaining territorial integrity is the major issue.
This essay proposes the notion that whilst there have been cosmetically similar snapshots in the ... more This essay proposes the notion that whilst there have been cosmetically similar snapshots in the process of democratic development that Egypt and Tunisia have recently transitioned through, there is a fundamental reason that explains their differing outcomes at January 2017. This essay contends that in order for a nation to transition from authoritarianism to democracy, the rudimentary mechanisms of the political landscape must cease to exist resulting in a power vacuum that can be filled by multiple socially embedded and palatable political organisations that cannot cancel each other out. This is the author’s explanation for the reversion of Egypt’s domestic landscape to authoritarianism and the evolution of Tunisia’s political system to one of democracy. This essay provides a detailed analysis of the ever-updating events and processes that have contributed to the ‘democratic development’ of Egypt and Tunisia, precipitated by the Arab Spring of 2011 and explores, in a chronological order, moments where strong similarities and strong dissimilarities have been exhibited in the recent political history of Tunisia and Egypt.
The essay will initially give a background to the nature of Saddam's regime before discussing the... more The essay will initially give a background to the nature of Saddam's regime before discussing the doctrine of the international community; its inception, its definition and its development. I shall then break Blair's message down to its three primary ideas; 1, the need for a greater internationalism, 2, the moral duty to protect and promote western values and 3, the creation of principles to legitimise foreign intervention. I shall argue that only point 2 of Blair's doctrine helps in understanding the decision to invade Iraq and that points 1 and 3 actually form part of the argument for why Blair shouldn't have invaded Iraq. I shall then touch on the reasons that the Blair Government gave to the British public for war, including the infamous WMD argument before considering what I believe to be Blair's real motivations. I shall argue that Blair perceived the 'special relationship' to be something much greater
Immanuel Kant was an 18th century Prussian born philosopher, often deemed to be the “central figu... more Immanuel Kant was an 18th century Prussian born philosopher, often deemed to be the “central figure of modern philosophy” (Bammel, 2005). Kant’s breakthrough work was the Critique of Pure Reason, published in 1781 and it was in this that Kant’s so-called Copernican Revolution in metaphysics was revealed. In this essay concerning Kant’s influence on modern epistemology, I shall first explain the two primary subjects of the question; the nature of a synthetic a priori judgment and Kant’s Copernican Revolution. I shall then discuss the success of Kant’s Copernican Revolution in explaining the possibility of synthetic a priori judgments, and examine challenges to Kant’s way of thought. Finally, I will conclude that Kant’s Copernican Revolution does explain the possibility of synthetic a priori judgments yet in so-doing he undermines the possibility of synthetic knowledge.
There is a consensus surrounding technological innovation in war that looks back on history and m... more There is a consensus surrounding technological innovation in war that looks back on history and makes the assertion that this has led to an exponential increase in casualties. Whilst this is true, from the advent of stirrups and gunpowder to more recent chemical and nuclear weapons, there is also an argument to be made that tech innovation can provide a limiting factor to war. In this essay I will explore both approaches to this question through a historical timeline of events, and conclude that whilst it is clear that technologic innovation does and has increased casualties in war, it is conversely demonstrable that innovation in war has led to advances in many technological fields such as medicine and computing which save lives rather than cause casualties. The development of technology to allow war reportage has also provided a dimension to which governments must abide by the moral and ethical standards its population would expect. The mass proliferation of media and, in the last ten years, instant messaging, social media and video sharing platforms has increasingly led democratically elected governments to be accountable for their actions. This combined with the idea of mutually assured destruction and deterrence ensures that the devastating weapons created by technologic innovation have not and will hopefully never be used. Thus whilst casualties have definitely increased through innovation, I’d persuade that advanced people power, thanks to tech improvements, will prevent casualties from increasing any further.
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland in 1916, mounted by Irish republicans wit... more The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland in 1916, mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire, including many Irishmen, were heavily engaged in the First World War. Organised by the military wing of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, with significant contribution from Patrick Pearse of the Irish Volunteers and James Connolly of the Irish Citizen Army, the Rising lasted from the 24th April, Easter Monday, to 30 April 1916. The rebels managed to seize key locations in Dublin, and optimistically declared an independent Irish Republic . The Rising was suppressed after seven days of fighting and its leaders were court martialled and executed, but the rebellion succeeded in bringing confrontational republicanism back to the forefront of Irish minds.
Body-soul theory is one of "the most intensely studied subjects in the history of philosophy" (Da... more Body-soul theory is one of "the most intensely studied subjects in the history of philosophy" (Davidson, 1992). Socrates was the first ancient thinker to suggest that the psyche (soul) be the essence of the human being. Plato then built on this by breaking it into three parts, known as the Platonic soul (Plato, 2013). Aristotle delved further into the debate in his major treatise on the nature of living things, De Anima. In this, Aristotle attempts to improve upon the ideas set forward by his philosophical predecessors by stating the claim that the soul is mortal and not eternal. Importantly he also adds that the soul is not capable of being reborn in subsequent bodies, as his teachers had thought. Aristotle’s definition of the soul is particularly thorough, and within this he relies upon his theory of universals which leads to his concept of hylomophism and his account of substance. With this information, Aristotle comes to the conclusion that an animated body is inseparable from the soul and vice versa; “affections of soul are inseparable from the material substratum of animal life” (Aristotle, 2001). In this assignment, I will examine Aristotle’s method of defining the soul, by explanation of hylomorphism among other ideas, before arguing for Aristotle’s definition and then reacting and quashing possible objections.
In a globalizing world with an ever changing polito-economic system it is inevitable that the exi... more In a globalizing world with an ever changing polito-economic system it is inevitable that the existence of US hegemonic leadership be brought into question when considering the rule of great power rise and fall (Layne 2006).A common assertion is that the US is undoubtedly the globe’s hegemonic leader, which can be supported by looking back at US involvement in most major global events from 1945. However, in this essay I shall look at whether this is declining; with the end of the dollar standard system in the 1970s and the recent global economic crisis, which hit the seemingly impenetrable US economy so hard, perhaps the tides are turning. Additionally, I will reflect on the rapid socio-economic growth of China and whether US domestic issues challenge US hegemony. With all aspects considered, I will argue that the era of US hegemonic leadership of the global economic system still exists.
This essay proposes the notion that there are many similarities between the 2008 war in Georgia a... more This essay proposes the notion that there are many similarities between the 2008 war in Georgia and the 2014 conflict in Ukraine yet there are obviously cosmetic differences too. The Russian motivations for aggression remain constant, and both conflicts are similar in that Russia succeeds in annexing territory. The west's response to both conflicts have been different however, and the essay shall further examine the volatility that surrounds the west's decision making. The disputed territories of Crimea, Abkhazia and South Ossetia fall within Russia's supposed 'sphere of influence' which has diminished after the Rose Revolution of Georgia and the Orange Revolution of Ukraine. The pro-Western orientation of these two countries became a major issue for Russia yet for Georgia and the Ukraine, maintaining territorial integrity is the major issue.
This essay proposes the notion that whilst there have been cosmetically similar snapshots in the ... more This essay proposes the notion that whilst there have been cosmetically similar snapshots in the process of democratic development that Egypt and Tunisia have recently transitioned through, there is a fundamental reason that explains their differing outcomes at January 2017. This essay contends that in order for a nation to transition from authoritarianism to democracy, the rudimentary mechanisms of the political landscape must cease to exist resulting in a power vacuum that can be filled by multiple socially embedded and palatable political organisations that cannot cancel each other out. This is the author’s explanation for the reversion of Egypt’s domestic landscape to authoritarianism and the evolution of Tunisia’s political system to one of democracy. This essay provides a detailed analysis of the ever-updating events and processes that have contributed to the ‘democratic development’ of Egypt and Tunisia, precipitated by the Arab Spring of 2011 and explores, in a chronological order, moments where strong similarities and strong dissimilarities have been exhibited in the recent political history of Tunisia and Egypt.
The essay will initially give a background to the nature of Saddam's regime before discussing the... more The essay will initially give a background to the nature of Saddam's regime before discussing the doctrine of the international community; its inception, its definition and its development. I shall then break Blair's message down to its three primary ideas; 1, the need for a greater internationalism, 2, the moral duty to protect and promote western values and 3, the creation of principles to legitimise foreign intervention. I shall argue that only point 2 of Blair's doctrine helps in understanding the decision to invade Iraq and that points 1 and 3 actually form part of the argument for why Blair shouldn't have invaded Iraq. I shall then touch on the reasons that the Blair Government gave to the British public for war, including the infamous WMD argument before considering what I believe to be Blair's real motivations. I shall argue that Blair perceived the 'special relationship' to be something much greater
Immanuel Kant was an 18th century Prussian born philosopher, often deemed to be the “central figu... more Immanuel Kant was an 18th century Prussian born philosopher, often deemed to be the “central figure of modern philosophy” (Bammel, 2005). Kant’s breakthrough work was the Critique of Pure Reason, published in 1781 and it was in this that Kant’s so-called Copernican Revolution in metaphysics was revealed. In this essay concerning Kant’s influence on modern epistemology, I shall first explain the two primary subjects of the question; the nature of a synthetic a priori judgment and Kant’s Copernican Revolution. I shall then discuss the success of Kant’s Copernican Revolution in explaining the possibility of synthetic a priori judgments, and examine challenges to Kant’s way of thought. Finally, I will conclude that Kant’s Copernican Revolution does explain the possibility of synthetic a priori judgments yet in so-doing he undermines the possibility of synthetic knowledge.
There is a consensus surrounding technological innovation in war that looks back on history and m... more There is a consensus surrounding technological innovation in war that looks back on history and makes the assertion that this has led to an exponential increase in casualties. Whilst this is true, from the advent of stirrups and gunpowder to more recent chemical and nuclear weapons, there is also an argument to be made that tech innovation can provide a limiting factor to war. In this essay I will explore both approaches to this question through a historical timeline of events, and conclude that whilst it is clear that technologic innovation does and has increased casualties in war, it is conversely demonstrable that innovation in war has led to advances in many technological fields such as medicine and computing which save lives rather than cause casualties. The development of technology to allow war reportage has also provided a dimension to which governments must abide by the moral and ethical standards its population would expect. The mass proliferation of media and, in the last ten years, instant messaging, social media and video sharing platforms has increasingly led democratically elected governments to be accountable for their actions. This combined with the idea of mutually assured destruction and deterrence ensures that the devastating weapons created by technologic innovation have not and will hopefully never be used. Thus whilst casualties have definitely increased through innovation, I’d persuade that advanced people power, thanks to tech improvements, will prevent casualties from increasing any further.
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland in 1916, mounted by Irish republicans wit... more The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland in 1916, mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire, including many Irishmen, were heavily engaged in the First World War. Organised by the military wing of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, with significant contribution from Patrick Pearse of the Irish Volunteers and James Connolly of the Irish Citizen Army, the Rising lasted from the 24th April, Easter Monday, to 30 April 1916. The rebels managed to seize key locations in Dublin, and optimistically declared an independent Irish Republic . The Rising was suppressed after seven days of fighting and its leaders were court martialled and executed, but the rebellion succeeded in bringing confrontational republicanism back to the forefront of Irish minds.
Body-soul theory is one of "the most intensely studied subjects in the history of philosophy" (Da... more Body-soul theory is one of "the most intensely studied subjects in the history of philosophy" (Davidson, 1992). Socrates was the first ancient thinker to suggest that the psyche (soul) be the essence of the human being. Plato then built on this by breaking it into three parts, known as the Platonic soul (Plato, 2013). Aristotle delved further into the debate in his major treatise on the nature of living things, De Anima. In this, Aristotle attempts to improve upon the ideas set forward by his philosophical predecessors by stating the claim that the soul is mortal and not eternal. Importantly he also adds that the soul is not capable of being reborn in subsequent bodies, as his teachers had thought. Aristotle’s definition of the soul is particularly thorough, and within this he relies upon his theory of universals which leads to his concept of hylomophism and his account of substance. With this information, Aristotle comes to the conclusion that an animated body is inseparable from the soul and vice versa; “affections of soul are inseparable from the material substratum of animal life” (Aristotle, 2001). In this assignment, I will examine Aristotle’s method of defining the soul, by explanation of hylomorphism among other ideas, before arguing for Aristotle’s definition and then reacting and quashing possible objections.
In a globalizing world with an ever changing polito-economic system it is inevitable that the exi... more In a globalizing world with an ever changing polito-economic system it is inevitable that the existence of US hegemonic leadership be brought into question when considering the rule of great power rise and fall (Layne 2006).A common assertion is that the US is undoubtedly the globe’s hegemonic leader, which can be supported by looking back at US involvement in most major global events from 1945. However, in this essay I shall look at whether this is declining; with the end of the dollar standard system in the 1970s and the recent global economic crisis, which hit the seemingly impenetrable US economy so hard, perhaps the tides are turning. Additionally, I will reflect on the rapid socio-economic growth of China and whether US domestic issues challenge US hegemony. With all aspects considered, I will argue that the era of US hegemonic leadership of the global economic system still exists.
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