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In Defense of the Anti-Utopian Perspective: The Hopefulness of Tragedy

Utopia is dead. Instead of striving for the unattainable ideal of perfection, we should continually improve our society through democratic conflict and pluralism. Drawing from anti-utopian thinkers like Claude Lefort, Chantal Mouffe, and Ernesto Laclau, this article highlights the importance of perpetuating transgressive, adaptive politics rather than rigid, totalizing idealist visions. Contrary to one’s first instinct, anti-utopian thought offers a more optimistic and practical path forward to change—one that embraces human imperfection and fosters meaningful societal progress.

Posted On : Published By : Anyue Zhang
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Extended Report: The Ceasefire Igniting the Middle East.

Just weeks ago, all eyes were on Lebanon. As the US reported Israel and Hezbollah were close to a ceasefire, Western politicians saw this as the first step toward peace in the Middle East. However, as rebels storm into the Syrian capital and Iran abandons its sworn allies, the region now teeters on the brink of a new and even deadlier conflict.

Posted On : Published By : Patrick Armstrong
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The Erosion of Lemkin’s Principles : Geopolitics and Genocide in Gaza. 

This article examines the erosion of Raphael Lemkin’s principles of genocide in the context of Gaza, highlighting the disjunction between legal definitions and geopolitical responses. Despite clear international legal assessments characterizing Israel’s actions as genocidal, political alliances and military aid persist. This reveals a troubling shift in how genocide is understood, applied, and contested today.

Posted On : Published By : Nuala O’Connell
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Aristotle, Citizenship, and the Question of Status In Modern “Democracies”

Under the Aristotelian framework, the political participation of individuals within modern representative democracies does not constitute true citizenship. The vast majority of those now considered to be citizens would, under Aristotle’s model, be more aptly described as resident aliens, true citizenry only being enjoyed by the class of elected officials. This article suggests representative democracy to be a system closer to aristocracy or oligarchy. 

Posted On : Published By : John Bollinger