Opinion / Mass Media and the Internet

More Stupid Words

Remember Stupid Words? multi-dimensional challenges inherently a context-specific approach prevention-oriented actions implement a synergistic framework increasingly interconnected world integrated capacity-building measures participatory processes overarching framework contextually relevant tractorisation globalised world Here is an article at Open Democracy that (alas) epitomises the problem: CSOs also need support in empowering citizens to […]

Continue Reading

Chilcot – Whatever

So. Farewell then, Tony Blair’s reputation. The monumental Chilcot Report on the UK’s role in the Iraq invasion is out. Here it is. Several gazillion pages. No-one can or will read it all. But it will remain a vast trove of material for anyone interested in Diplomatic Technique and how […]

Continue Reading

Brexit (2): Now What?

Here’s my first post-Brexit vote piece for the Telegraph that’s been noticed here and there: Now what? In particular, do we leave the European Union, or not? Above all, what’s the Plan? The core possibilities are these: We leave the EU and try to become a sort of European Singapore […]

Continue Reading

Brexit (1): The Negotiation

Blimey. Now what? Some quick thoughts (in the order I think them) on the ensuing negotiation with EU partners as London markets bounce back from the early shock. First and foremost, this is a magnificent momentous day in the global history of democracy. It represents a strong majority of one […]

Continue Reading

Brexit v UKinEU (22): Not Trivial Questions

Here’s the final version (in Polish – thanks Google Translate) of an interview I have given to Wiadomości about sundry Brexit issues. They did not use everything I said (and why should they?). Here’s the full text in case anyone is interested: 1. Both campaigns seem to have indulged in […]

Continue Reading

Brexit v UKinEU (21): The Consent of the Governed

Here is my piece today for the Telegraph as the referendum campaign staggers over the line. Some good stuff: Back in the mid-2000s, Tony Blair addressed the annual gathering of British ambassadors. In the Q&A our then Ambassador in Paris warned the Prime Minister that London’s EU policies were going […]

Continue Reading

Brexit v UKinEU (19): Tone and Message

As this tumultuous (or horrible, nasty, revolting, angry, hateful, absorbing, glorious – pick your adjective) UK exercise in referendum democracy nears the end, what about the way the two broad camps have presented themselves? Leave The Leave tendency has struggled to explain exactly what it wants instead of EU membership, and […]

Continue Reading

Jo Cox and Binary Politics

Here are two strong pieces on the appalling killing of Jo Cox MP and what (they say) it tells us about other things, including ourselves. They are by some chance related. The first by Alex Massie at the Spectator: So, no, Nigel Farage isn’t responsible for Jo Cox’s murder. And […]

Continue Reading

Brexit v UKinEU (11): EEA Option

Readers’ whose brains glaze over when trying to work out the acronymic difference between the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) may find this piece over at the Adam Smith Institute helpful (h/t Roland Smith). It looks at the Big Picture (emphasis […]

Continue Reading

Brexit v UKinEU (10): Negotiating Europe 2.0

Here is a good piece by Tony E about that grim Newsnight programme on Monday: Charles Crawford is a former diplomat, noted for his work in the Eastern Bloc both before and after the fall of Soviet Union. He knows a thing or two about negotiations, was a senior figure […]

Continue Reading
Newer EntriesOlder Entries