English
Channel Hopping
Keeping an eye on British politics, because “Europe” doesn’t start south of the channel.
When it comes to scoring political points, the Conservatives are bending democratic principles.
Instead of propagating alternatives to fend off UKIP, Labour and Conservatives are trying to attract voters by emulating Nigel Farage and his gang.
The poppy has moved from a reminder of the futility of war, to bordering on a somber celebration of the act of sacrifice for Britain. That’s wrong.
Do you read me?
International politics is like chess – but without dices. A look at the map, bearing in mind that predictions are difficult, especially when they concern the future.
It is up to François Hollande whether French democracy can weather the storm of yesterday’s attacks. He would be advised to follow a Norwegian example.
ArteFacts
Where do facts come from? How can we decide whether something is true, or right, or good? Jörg Friedrich writes about the intersection of science, philosophy, and public policy.
A reorganization of political structures at the level of national cultural identities doesn’t necessarily mean separatism for Europe.
If a time traveler from the 1950s came to visit us today, he wouldn’t be impressed by our so-called technological innovations: they would be all too familiar to him.
Buying on the Internet is easy and convenient, but it cannot replace the experience you get from buying from your local dealer.
Donating sperm is much more than a mundane transaction; it is an act of responsibility. Biology will ensure that you get what you give.
“Do Good” instead of “Feel Good”
Bjørn Lomborg questions the conventional environmental argumentation and highlights alternative paths to an ecological wellbeing. The former Greenpeace member refuses to accept the pessimistic outlook on climate change and suggests that we’ve got the technological abilities to turn the ship around. Improving the lives of the people in the Third World, through optimizing financial aid and funding, will have to go hand in hand with the fight against climate change.
Worries about global food shortages are nothing more than apocalyptic scenarios. Instead of panic mongering, we should make cheaper food more widely available to those who need it.
Caution is great as a political sledgehammer. Carefully formulated, you can ban anything. But this is unreasonable. Here’s what politics should learn from kids crossing the street for ice cream.
We shouldn’t expect much from the upcoming climate talks in Warsaw. Instead of clinging to illusions of a globally binding agreement, we should consider the alternatives.
Fostering free trade means fostering a better tomorrow. No other policy can generate more prosperity and development throughout the world. But politicians remain stubborn and keep on wasting precious funds.
MOST COMMENTED
What decisions would we make if we deliberated carefully about public policy? Alexander Görlach sat down with Stanford's James Fishkin to discuss deliberative democracy, parliamentary discontent, and the future of the two-party system.
For many Europeans the massacre in Arizona is another evidence that political violence is spreading in the United States but this unfortunate event was the deed of a mentally ill person, not a political activist. There is no evidence of an increasing political extremism tearing America apart. Using
The US and Russia don't agree on much - but they are both keen to develop a good relationship with India. How do we know? Look at the arms trade.
More than 50 percent of the world's population now live in cities – and there is no end of urbanization in sight. Harvard economist Edward Glaeser believes urbanization to be a solution to many unanswered problems: pollution, depression and a lack of creativity. He spoke with Lars Mensel about the
Contrary to the mantras repeated by the press, HIV infections are not increasing. We need to move away from activist scare tactics and towards complex risk management strategies.
Nick Bostrom directs the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University. He talked with Martin Eiermann about existential risks, genetic enhancements and the importance of ethical discourses about technological progress.