JS Mill's support for national liberation movements in 1848 became doubt as he saw liberation turn to nationalism, solidarity turn to tribalism. His ideal was of cultural hybridisation, but citizens loyal to their states. What would he have thought of Syria today? Dr Georgios Varouxakis discusses
When would-be peacemakers insist the past is past and the only way to resolve the conflict is to look to the future and find a compromise solution to the competing claims, they underestimate the power of the narrative in determining identity and meaning.
How can we act in ways that contribute to the evolving fabric of life, rather than to its dissolution? By “thinking like a plant.”
Competition and wisdom are two different paths that will never intersect. As future academics and intellectuals, we need to seek wisdom rather than playing games and politics against our peers to get status and power.
War shows the limits of parliamentary democracy and the crisis of democracy is far too deepseated to be compensated for by parliamentary deliberation on military intervention in Syria.
JS Mill, liberalism's intellectual giant, justified despotism in India, thought Britain should be a beacon of liberty like Athens (because of its navy) and that it is impossible for a democracy to rule another country well. Listen to Dr Georgios Varouxakis on his latest book, Liberty Abroad
