“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

About Francesca E.S.Montemaggi

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi has been working in politics and public affairs in the UK and Europe. She is currently completing a PhD in sociology of religion at Cardiff University.

She tweets @FESMontemaggi and blogs at Blunt and Disorderly.

Articles by Francesca E.S.Montemaggi

Sowing the seeds of an Italian spring

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 26 February 2013

The Italian election resulted in a deadlock with no clear winner. But while Italy is stuck between politics as usual and a sterile protest vote, the seeds of a ‘liberal revolution’ have discretely been sown. Could this mark the beginning of an Italian spring?

Six characters in search of a country - the Italian vote elsewhere in Europe

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 22 February 2013

As Italy is heading to the polls on Sunday for ‘the most important election in 30 years’, the vote of Italians living abroad will partly determine the formation of the next government. How do these expats feel about Italian politics, and how are they going to vote?

Of power and democracy: the rise and fall of Mario Monti

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 7 February 2013

In November 2011, Mario Monti, an academic and former European Commissioner, was seen as the providential man to save Italy from its troubles. Now, only one year and a few months later, he is trailing behind in the polls and set to lose the upcoming elections. What happened?

Belief in the Union: solidarity with the Greeks

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 14 June 2012

They think ‘Europe’ is ‘foreign affairs’. But Europe is nothing if it is not its citizens. That is why, the day before the Greek elections, a demonstration in solidarity with the Greek people will take place in Dublin (at The Spire at 1pm).

From European crisis to European democracy

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 15 May 2012

European politicians are seeking to follow the moods of the public rather than to shape them. Europeans do not want Europe to fail, but Europe cannot rest solely on the actions of the German Chancellor, the French President, or the President of the European Central Bank.

Nationalism casts a shadow over European democracy

Francesca E.S. Montemaggi 14 December 2011

It is nation states that have emasculated European institutions. What is often branded as the ‘national interest’ is nothing but a justification for the pursuit of internal politics.

This week's editor

Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

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Nuclear non-proliferation

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About Francesca E.S.Montemaggi

Articles by Francesca E.S.Montemaggi

Sowing the seeds of an Italian spring

Six characters in search of a country - the Italian vote elsewhere in Europe

Of power and democracy: the rise and fall of Mario Monti

Belief in the Union: solidarity with the Greeks

From European crisis to European democracy

Nationalism casts a shadow over European democracy

This week's editor

Europe from the bottom up

European debate

Democratic Wealth

Nuclear non-proliferation

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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