The Axe Of The Fasces

Morality: Objective or Subjective?  A bar conversation between Immanuel Kant and Michel Foucault. Kant and Foucault are sitting at a bar. They have just ordered drinks when Kant is shocked by Foucault’s refusal to tip the bartender Kant: That was rather rude, why didn't you tip the poor chap? Foucault : He’s hardly a poor chap. I am already paying an extra charge on top of the price of the drinks. They can pay him his ‘tip’ from that extra premium. Kant : We pay extra for the ambience. And again, don’t you think that denying him his tip is rather harsh? I mean, most of his earning comes from what people tip him. Foucault : What is ‘harsh’ for you, may just be ‘practicality’ for me, you know? I don’t feel I need to tip him, and further, I don’t feel it was ‘harsh’ or ‘rude’ of me to deny him his tip. Basically, what you feel is wrong, is not necessarily wrong for me. Kant: That’s not true at all. There HAVE to be some things that are generally right or ge...

Is Globalization undermining state sovereignty? Globalization is a neo-colonial tool which undermines state sovereignty by diluting borders, restricting government control on domestic policies and increasing the influence of powerful nations upon weaker ones.   Introduction Globalisation is the process of integration of nations or its people through the increased flow of money, ideas and culture across international borders. “ It refers to all the processes by which peoples of the world are incorporated into a single world society, a global society .” [1] While it is primarily an economic phenomenon, it nonetheless has social implications due to the vast exchange of social ideas and cultural practices. It is a complex concept which has impact on various areas of everyday life. Nations along with international organisations like the UN, WTO, IMF are all actors on the international arena and are both influenced by globalisation as well as contribute to it simultaneo...

Approaching War Clouds? War is the permanent state of affairs, Peace is only transient. Rising International instability, the resurgence of Realpolitik and the return of a rejuvenated Russia in the geopolitical arena - a sign of things to come? As we go further into the 21st century, the drums of war have been getting louder and louder. Even an ordinary civilian who isn't a geopolitical observer will opine that there is more conflict and increasing tension around the world when compared to the relatively peaceful 90s and early 2000s.  While the 90s were marred by inter-ethnic clashes in the aftermath of Yugoslavia's collapse, as well as the brief and inconclusive war between India and Pakistan, the period of 15 years since have been arguably the most peaceful period in the history of mankind.  Where did the chaos begin? And what was the flash-point? Lets observe some of the moves by the major players in the geopolitical arena and how they have ...

A nation is responsible to its own citizens first, then to its neighbouring nations, and lastly, to the international community. The Nation State It is crucial to understand what actually constitutes a 'nation', before looking into the issues of social or political conflicts between two or more nations or its people. Neither religion nor colour define what a nation is, its culture does. It is the umbrella under which come Religion, Language, Traditions and Social Customs and Value systems. A nation may have more than a language, several religions and variations of a similar set of social values and traditions. However , there is always a meeting point where people from different sub-cultures can agree with one another and co-exist, based on several broad similarities in their way of life. This is very true in the context of Pre-Islamic India. Majority of the nations' borders today are the result of a cultural link or relation among the subject population wi...