October 2021 marked the 40th anniversary of the abolition of the death penalty in France. It was a significant milestone in the country’s history that transformed the legal justice system and generated a lot of public interest and debate in France and elsewhere in the world. This topic continues to attract significant attention, as most … Continue reading ‘Pardon Impossible to Execute’: Death Penalty Debates
“Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Despite their promises, the Taliban have failed to honour their word on a number of commitments. There are still ongoing violations of basic human rights (such as the right of women to study and work, and freedom of the media). The amnesty offered to political opponents turned out to be mere lip service. The situation … Continue reading “Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Controlled Political Mythology and Blame Games
The concept of “enemy image” dates back to the very beginning of ancient state formation. However, it was not until many centuries later that the term came into wide usage within the political context, when German political theorist Carl Schmitt published The Concept of the Political in 1932. Schmitt described the “friend-enemy” distinction as an … Continue reading Controlled Political Mythology and Blame Games
Manipulation of Public Consciousness as a Strategy in Information Wars
Scientia potentia est (knowledge is power), so goes the famous Latin saying. This is particularly true in the 21st century, where knowledge and information are currencies with ever-appreciating value. But like any other instrument of power, knowledge can be manipulated as either a force for good or a dangerous weapon. Exploiting information and psychological manipulation … Continue reading Manipulation of Public Consciousness as a Strategy in Information Wars