Pick of the Web
GM and the intensification of farming
The argument over genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) needs to be seen in the context of wider agricultural policy. In itself, the technology is neutral and may even have possible benefits. But the use of GMOs by farmers tied to the distorting economics of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will only intensify the latter’s disastrous environmental impact. Rather than ban GMOs, it would be better to reform the CAP and tax agrochemicals.
The Convention: between football fans and the Holy Roman Empire?
One of the most outspoken dissidents on the European Convention, Austrian Green MEP Johannes Voggenhuber, here interviewed by openDemocracy’s Julian Kramer, reflects on the successes and failures of the seventeen-month process – from the Charter of Rights to Giscard’s “autocratic, autistic” style…
The Convention endgame: beyond bad bargains?
Two Brussels insiders review the logjam over proposals for how Europe shall be governed, and the bargains being sought behind closed doors over crucial questions of institutions and power-balance.
Africa: listen, women, it is possible!
The key to unlocking Africa’s cycle of poverty is women’s education, says the 23-year old coordinator of the Campaign for Female Education Association (Cama). On the occasion of the UN girls’ education initiative, she helped organise a moving petition signed by hundreds of Zimbabwean women to mobilise support behind one of the most effective of all development strategies.
From Evian to Taliban
Problems in Pakistan, the silent voice of Europe, Swazi charm offensive.
A roadmap without a driver
The West Bank settlements where around 200,000 Israelis live are a key element in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. The Israeli prime minister’s inflexibility over the issue, unpopular among his own citizens, threatens to undermine the new roadmap to peace. Can the Americans take responsibility for the process – and for Ariel Sharon?
Ending African hunger: GM or agro-ecology?
Where Gordon Conway champions biotechnology as a solution to hunger in developing countries, Liz Orton offers a radically different vision of agriculture for Africa – sustainable, low-tech and founded on local knowledge.
The United States in Iraq: power without authority
The American occupation in Iraq is facing low-level but increasing resistance from elements of the local population. Pre-war projections by the Pentagon’s civilian leadership of the numbers of US forces needed are already proving misjudged. The costs of the US’s strategic choice in Iraq are coming into view.
Biotechnology and hunger
The food security, life-chances and freedom of African farmers can be immeasurably improved by the greater use of biotechnology – as is already evident in China. Scientific research, terms of trade, and global politics still present obstacles, but the direct choices of poor farmers themselves will resolve this passionately contested argument.
Spanish lessons: a reply to Pere Vilanova
Despite huge public dissent over its support for war in Iraq, Spain’s ruling Popular Party suffered only marginal damage in the country’s municipal elections. The most severe lesson of the results is the failure of the Spanish left to understand the changes that are transforming Spanish society, and to match the right’s reinvention with its own.
Kashmir: a roadmap to peace?
The election of a new government in Indian-controlled Jammu & Kashmir in September 2002 has opened the way to an initiative by India’s prime minister to restart discussions with Pakistan over the future of the disputed territory. In the light of historic India-Pakistan tension, twelve years of murderous violence, and the complex shades of Kashmir’s politics, is there at last real hope of a resolution of this dangerous conflict?
The migration time-bomb: American lessons for Europe
Will mass immigration prove a similar threat to the integrity of European society and culture as it does to America’s? For the author of “Alien Nation”, the book which helped to catalyse the modern anti-immigration argument in the US, the current ‘great wave’ from third to first world is undesirable, economically unnecessary, and driven by a misplaced sense of guilt over past racism and colonialism.
Mehmet and Edeltraud too: prospects for a multicultural Germany
The German Bundestag’s first parliamentary representative of Turkish descent is currently in Washington, comparing how minority groups organise themselves politically in the United States and Germany. Recently named ‘Multicultural Man of the Year’ by a German radio station, he turns a sometimes appalled gaze on his homeland, and asks how far Germany has to go to fulfil a truly multicultural vision.
Rummy's intelligence review
US credibility, Hu’s globetrotting, Rwanda’s new era?
Afula: wounded heart of Israel
An indiscriminate assault on a small town in the country’s heartland prompts this Israeli writer to melancholy yet affectionate reflection.
Translating the word of God: the King James Bible
Committees seldom produce genius, still less aspects of the divine, argues this young writer. But the translating of the King James Bible in 1604 did just that.
The African state and global governance
The scale of Africa’s political and social crises, exacerbated by the HIV/Aids pandemic and reinforced by failures of governance, make it a global dependent.
Beating Bush - the neo-neo-Democrats
Another lightning raid on American political debate from Dominic Hilton. Fresh from skewering the neo-cons, the Democrats are in his sights. What do they want? Why won’t they get it? And where does this leave…democrats?
World or homeland? US National Security Strategy in the 21st century
A year after 9/11, the Bush administration articulated a new security doctrine that committed the country to worldwide military intervention in pursuit of democracy. This strange fruit of Wilsonian idealism and neo-conservative ambition is triply misconceived: it will guarantee damaging over-extension of resources, fuel bitter resentment of the United States, and abandon homeland security to the chimera of global control. It is not empire that the US needs, but modesty.
United States security for a new world: a reply to Charles Pena
The US’s national security document of 2002 is a partial answer to the global challenges of terrorism and weapons proliferation. Charles Pena’s critique, by contrast, recommends a disengagement from the world that would entail even greater danger for the homeland. The real US need is to articulate a strategic doctrine that puts military pre-emption in the service of wise politics, alliance-building, and – eventually – a new understanding of international law.
This week's editor
Europe from the bottom up
European debate
Democratic Wealth
Nuclear non-proliferation
oDRussia at journalismfestival .com
Mali - the plot thickens
.jpg)
Remote control war
Stay Informed
Sign-up for a free weekly email
Sign-up for a free weekly email
Advertising notice
Conference coverage from 50.50
Articles exploring the themes of the fourth international Nobel Women's Initiative conference May 28-31. Jennifer Allsopp and Heather McRobie will be reporting for 5050
Articles exploring the themes of the fourth international Nobel Women's Initiative conference May 28-31. Jennifer Allsopp and Heather McRobie will be reporting for 5050
Cities in Conflict
Window on the Middle East
openDemocracy on Twitter
openDemocracy on Facebook
Our Authors
Lis Howell On broadcasting
Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion
Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
Jim Gabour Sunday Comics
James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do
Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
Mary Kaldor on Human security
Lis Howell On broadcasting
Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion
Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
Jim Gabour Sunday Comics
James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do
Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
Mary Kaldor on Human security
openDemocracy Ltd, The Print House, 18 Ashwin Street, London, E8 3DL. Tel: +44 (0) 207 193 0676
