Pick of the Web
Where I am coming from
A decade after his return from exile, and eight years on from the country’s first free election, our South Africa-based columnist looks back in wonder and forward in hope.
The politics of social justice: religion versus human rights?
Islamic and Western governments share a concern to define just behaviour and just government. But the advocacy of universal human rights by secular democracies challenges the idea of basing social order on religious principle. In a discussion co-hosted by the Iranian government and London’s Goethe Institute, two respected scholars debate the tensions between – and within –their different conceptions of social justice.
Hirst on Bobbitt
Paul Hirst reviews Philip Bobbitt’s book “The Shield of Achilles”.
The Shield of Achilles is the most thought provoking book on the future of war and the international system to have appeared for some considerable time.
'Not housekeepers any more': Somali women of the diaspora
She dresses like Carol Vorderman, idolises Oprah Winfrey and, although she grew up in a male-dominated society where a man’s word is law, she likes to be seen as a feminist.
Apathy: the new voting?
Once, before cynicism and television, elections were exciting. Now, apathy rules. But democracy still threatens. The sultan of indifference disdains to ask: how low can caring go?
The science of hair
What is it? Where does it come from? And where can it take us? Hair gets the full treatment in this first instalment of Objects & Projects. First up: the science.
A warm welcome to openDemocracy!
openDemocracy launches as a global space for ideas and argument – and a tool for social change.
Sharon: after the ice age?
Since February 2001, Israel has been under the glacial spell of Ariel Sharon’s national unity government. With the fall of the coalition and the calling of new elections, politics has returned. Who will be the next Israeli prime minister – and will the turbulence bring peace, new savagery, or another ice age?
America first: the case to answer
Opposition to the Bush administration’s strategy on Iraq is growing both inside America and around the world. Criticism of its pre-emptive approach tends to be scornful of its intellectual framework and strategic thinking. But a serious case has been made for the exercise of American power - notably by Philip Bobbitt, author of “The Shield of Achilles”, who was Senior Director for Strategic Planning at the National Security Council in Clinton’s White House.
Turkey - normal at last?
The new leader of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is touring Europe in the wake of his massive electoral victory, to advance his country's negotiating process over entry into the European Union. But Erdogan's AK party is pro-Islam and he himself was banned from standing for office. One of Turkey’s most distinguished commentators takes us through the tensions and paradoxes brought to a head by Erdoğan’s success.
This side of the Evil Divide
Tehran is a city where newspaper editors go to prison and the highways feature ‘Death to America’ slogans. But opinion polls, diplomatic games, and political conversation in the bazaars give our Iran-based columnist a refreshing sense of cynical, paranoid normality.
Is al-Qaida winning?
Piecing together the global picture, our international security correspondent sees little sign that the ‘war on terror’ is drawing to a close. From instability in Afghanistan and al-Qaida’s activities worldwide to Israel’s political crisis, the coming war in Iraq and al-Jazeera’s activities, the future looks stormy.
Ayatollahs to McDo's
From Tehran to Madagascar - burgers, Guardians and football. Plus Readers' Responses
Fortress Florence and the Gate of Heavenly Peace
As 'no global' activists meet in Italy, Globolog says remember the six tonne elephant lurking in the corner
Scene One: Io
In which the archetypal figure of human heroic suffering meets the persecuted eternal feminine. Before history invented public apology, was there any solace?
The heifer Io guarded by Argos, on an Athenian Red Figure pitcher, c.
The heifer Io guarded by Argos, on an Athenian Red Figure pitcher, c.Scene Two: St Augustine's Confessions
In which, in the moment of confession, two figures emerge: the apologist and human self-portraiture. From the very beginning self-scrutiny is a danger zone.
St Augustine by Sandro Botticelli
St Augustine by Sandro Botticelli In his Confessions, the bishop of Hippo invokes the God he loves, calling him unceasingly in the vocative: Tu – Thou or You.
Scene Three: The Marriage of Figaro
In which forgiveness, and human recognition work their magic. But how well, and for how long? Maybe, nothing short of revolution will do?
Again, we skip on several centuries – from Augustine writing in what is present day Algeria, to Lorenzo Da Ponte and Mozart in Vienna in 1786, and The Marriage of Figaro.
Religion, secularism, and human rights: responses to Heiner Bielefeldt and Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour
The discussion at London’s Goethe Institute between Heiner Bielefeldt and Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour on Islam, human rights, and social justice was followed by a vigorous debate. How does Samuel Huntington’s ‘Clash of Civilizations’ argument measure up to the experience of Sudan, Turkey and Iran? Is the application of sharia law in modern states realistic or desirable? And is secularism a lived reality or a social ideal?
The Crossing
This short story, previously unpublished, won PEN's international David T.K.Wong Prize for Short Fiction in 2001
Stirring up fundamentals
Dave Belden invites you to engage with him in debating some really awkward questions about believers and the challenge they pose to secular developed societies, just as developed societies pose a challenge to believers. He starts with Islam.
This week's editor
Europe from the bottom up
European debate
Democratic Wealth
Nuclear non-proliferation
oDRussia at journalismfestival .com
Mali - the plot thickens
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Remote control war
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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
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Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
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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
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