November 13, 2015
Despite ongoing domestic challenges, NATO (the members and the organisation itself) have to make some very heavy political considerations concerning Russia, lest they lose a chance to steal momentum in the propaganda war between Russia and the West. With Russia’s intervention in Syria kicking into high gear, NATO has the opportunity to put muscle behind… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
October 30, 2015
It can be argued that the European Union is a triumph of liberalism. To say this is somewhat odd in the current political climate in Europe. To many Europeans, when one talks about “liberal” policies, one talks about hard-nosed classical liberalism or neo-liberal globalisation schemes. This isn’t completely unfair. The EU has a lot of… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
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, ECJ, EP, liberalism, political theory |
October 25, 2015
The great thing about innovation is that it is a two way street. Ideas do not replace other idea, instead they collect to form an increasingly cluttered toolbox for solving problems. While I, understandably, focus on issues I think Europe, I realise that my homeland could benefit from ideas and methods applied in Europe… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
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, elections, political theory, proportional representation, Trudeau the Younger |
October 15, 2015
As a Canadian, I am expected to write about Canadian things. As you may know, dear reader, we in Canada are currently in the midst of an election. I want to tell you why I’m not voting. “Mr. Shannon, this hardly seems like a topic of European affairs” you announce in shock. No, you are… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
October 2, 2015
The last decade has not been marked by tranquility. We have seen crisis after crisis shake international and national stability, all the while eroding from much longer scope phenomenon. It seems that every week, a new prediction of the collapse of the EU appears. However, the EU remains and seems to have expertly managed this… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
September 18, 2015
It’s popular to decry the temporary reinstatement of national borders as a death knell of the European project. This is perhaps premature and definitely hyperbole. It is entirely rational for Germany to behave in this manner given that it is a refugee crisis. Democratic governments often work against their deep-held ideals in times to crisis… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
September 14, 2015
Last week, I was in a bus terminal while waiting to catch my ride into the city. I looked down and at my feet was a one of those free newspapers that often become litter. The cover of the paper read something like “BC (British Columbia) government earmarks $1B for refugees.” Much to my surprise,… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
September 7, 2015
The world is in a state of rapid change. It is not a sense of irony to say this has always been the case for the lifetimes of much of everyone living today. Constant upheaval may be the recipe for European modernity, and our societies are based in the act of replacing old with new.… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
Alexis Tsipras’ foreign reputation has had a really impressive return to form. Here is a man who was widely vilified outside of Greece, frequently the but of editorial cartoons by publications such as the Economist. Leading up to the referendum, Tsipras was described as a dangerous brinks-man who threatened the stability of the continent. Today,… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
August 21, 2015
Tensions in the Baltics are high at this moment. Both NATO and Russia are preparing for the event of a military confrontation in Eastern Europe, with both sides undertaking drills to increase readiness of a Russian invasion of Latvia and Estonia. A British think tank, the European Leadership Network, recently released a report analysing military… » read more
Posted by C. Shannon
