The Domino Effect: The Revolution Spreads

In the future when history is being written, the year 2011 will be known as 'the year of the revolutions'. Since the turn of the year we have seen a wave of popular uprisings across the globe. First was Tunisia, where the dictator Ben Ali was overthrown.  Next came Egypt, where Mubarak was forced from power and arrested, before the domino effect took hold and the scent of revolution spread across the middle eastern region. At the moment, uprisings are continuing in Lybia and Syria, although the former has been hijacked by the powers of western imperialism. The African and Middle East uprisings and revolutions would, many thought, be contained to the region. The past week's events in Spain have cast doubts on whether the contagious and infectious idea of revolution can be contained.

Stand Up, Get Up: A Song Of Revolution

This is a song I wrote and recorded last year. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, share the link on !!

http://soundcloud.com/derek-mckenna37473/stand-up-get-up

Default Now And Throw Off Our Chains

The recent Morgan Kelly article in the Irish Times, “Ireland's future depends on breaking free from bailout”[1]  has caused much debate in the Irish media.  In the article, UCD economist Kelly suggests that Ireland should walk away from the EU/IMF deal. In this regard Kelly is totally right, however the solution to the crisis that he proposes is wide of the mark.  More austerity is not the answer.  It is only through the promotion of economic growth through public investment and job creation, progressive taxation and nationalisation of our resources that Ireland will 'start' to emerge from the crisis.

A Critique of the IMF

Recent years have seen growing criticism of the International Monetary Fund. What are these criticisms and are they justified?

“It is important to note that IMF programmes are not designed to increase the welfare of the population. They are designed to bring the external payments account into balance.... The IMF is the ultimate guardian of the interests of capitalists and bankers doing international business” (Kari Polanyi Levitt, cited in Torrie, J. 1983, Introduction).

International Human Trafficking Law

International Human Trafficking Law

This piece will focus on International Human Trafficking Law and will discuss and critically evaluate four elements. Section one will cover the historical development of international human trafficking law.  Section two will focus on the legal models employed in the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings [2005][1].  Section three will take a look at the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECHR) approach to international human trafficking in Ranstev V. Cyprus and Russia [2010][2].  Section four will contain a discussion of proposed amendments to improve the European Convention on Action against Trafficking Human Beings [2005][3].   

Globalisation. Myth or Reality?

The term globalisation is one that is used with ever increasing frequency as if it had a universally accepted meaning and definition.  According to Modelski, globalisation is a historical process which is characterised by a growing engagement between peoples on all corners of the globe (Modelski, 2003, pp.55-59).  However, as Heywood points out, it can refer to various things such as processes, policies, strategies, an occurrence or an ideology.  He suggests, its elusive meaning lays in the fact that it “is not so much an it as a them” (2007, p.143).  The reason for the elusiveness of the term is that, as Heywood pints out, it involves many different facets which many different academics proclaim as its defining features.

What Causes Wars? A Theoretical View. Realism, Liberalism and Marxism.

What causes wars?

War is a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.  War can take on many forms including world, inter-state, intra-state or revolutionary. In order to assess the causes of wars, a theoretical approach is useful to broaden our understanding and perspective on the issue.