visions & reflections

Friday 19th February

Amnesty International: the politics of morality

Stephen Hopgood, 19 February 2010

The expansion of Amnesty International's remit to include "full-spectrum" human rights may entail costs as well as benefits, says Stephen Hopgood.

(This article was first published on 7 June 2006)

Thursday 4th February

The blizzard of the world

Paul Kingsnorth, 4 February 2010
The exhaustion of the planet and existing ways of life presents a creative challenge: exploring “uncivilisation”. Paul Kingsnorth introduces the Dark Mountain Project.
Tuesday 22nd December

2010: global cracks, human prospects

David Hayes, 22 December 2009
A volcanic decade in global politics ends amid deep unease about the world’s ability to rise to key 21st-century challenges. openDemocracy writers draw breath and look ahead by reflecting on three questions:

1) What was the most significant trend in the century's first decade?

2) What do you most hope for, and most fear, about the decade to come?

3) What idea do you see fading and/or emerging in 2010 and beyond?

Monday 21st September

Forward, Mr President!

Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney, and Denis Corboy, 21 September 2009
Three former Western ambassadors to countries in the post-Soviet space applaud President Medvedev’s call for sweeping reform and suggest key paths to modernisation
Friday 14th August

Halford Mackinder’s new world

Prince Hassan of Jordan, 14 August 2009
A pioneer of geopolitics anticipates the work of creating peace and security in west Asia's "heartland"
Wednesday 29th July

The WANA vision: regional model for global survival

Prince Hassan of Jordan, 29 July 2009
The multiple crises of west Asia and north Africa require a vision of integrated and inclusive change
Friday 15th May

Cambodia: a patient waiting

Michel Thieren and David Hayes, 15 May 2009
Cambodia's H1N1 precaution is a case-study in the local mediation of a global epidemic
Wednesday 13th May

A life to save: direct action on poverty

Peter Singer, 13 May 2009
People with more than enough have an immediate and personal obligation to help those in extreme poverty
Tuesday 31st March

A new world order

Krzysztof Rybinski, 31 March 2009
The G20 is so 20th century. It's time for a Global Strategic Council
Wednesday 25th February

The independent state

Nadeem Ul Haque, 25 February 2009
A reverse-angle perspective on global economic realities
Wednesday 21st January

Barack Obama: hope, fear... advice

David Hayes, 21 January 2009
A new, young, African-American president opens a fresh political era in the United States and the world. openDemocracy authors offer their thoughts
Friday 9th January

The politics of ME, ME, ME

David Hayes and Keith Kahn-Harris, 9 January 2009
The shrillness and point-scoring of much net-based discussion is closing the space for politics
Tuesday 16th December

The dangerous politics of market radicalism

George Schöpflin, 16 December 2008
The crisis of 2008 is a consequence of the pervasive impact of market-driven policy. A new idea of the state is needed
Wednesday 26th November

Financing development: from Monterrey to Doha

Alison Evans and Simon Maxwell, 26 November 2008
An economic downturn makes the Doha summit on paying for development even more vital
Monday 17th November

Philanthrocapitalism: old myths, new realities

Michael Edwards, 17 November 2008
The provocateur of a vigorous debate on business-led philanthropy returns to the fray 
Thursday 13th November

A new global order: Bretton Woods II...and San Francisco II

Dirk Messner and Simon Maxwell, 13 November 2008

The G20 summit needs to match the progressive global ambitions of 1944-45. Step forward, Europe

Wednesday 12th November

Beyond the icon: Nelson Mandela in his 90th year

Elleke Boehmer, 12 November 2008

South Africa's former president is seen differently at home and abroad. A key to understanding him?

Monday 3rd November

After the global

Tom Nairn, 3 November 2008
A map of ideology from the French revolution to neo-liberalism sets its compass to the future
Thursday 30th October

The core crisis: standing with the poor

Anita Sharma, 30 October 2008
The project to end global poverty is made more not less vital by the world’s financial troubles
Wednesday 6th August

Hiroshima: 1945-2008, and beyond

Tadatoshi Akiba, 6 August 2008
The mayor of Hiroshima's atomic-bomb anniversary peace-declaration looks forward
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