Current Affairs
It was once said in provinces of China: ‘The mountains are high, the rivers are deep, and the emperor is far away!’ Long gone is the day in Europe when a monarch was hedged around with an aura of divinity. Chasms between governors and governed are bridged today in the West. Thanks, or blame, in large measure is on the media. No tinge of ‘remoteness’ seems to affect a voter. He can all too easily think of public figures much as in terms of what he jolly well could say to them at his dinner table. Mystique is for the birds or Parisian haute couture. Immediacy encourages ordinary citizens let alone Social Media activists to pile in and pontificate on what goes on in high places. Gnats chirruping at the cavalcades of the powerful Vox Populi may be but their decibel-level now is boosted by microphones and megaphones. Self-elevation to this high sphere is admixed with grumpiness if sterling sense sneered from metaphoric armchairs in suburbia far from the Palace of Westminster – cushioned from pressures of office – go insufficiently heeded. A protest demo banner in the ‘sixties read ‘Down with What’s Up’. It may become the epitaph for a generation.
There are excellent fora with responsible matter on which to reflect across the diverse spectrum of the population (Scroll down to the foot of this page for some external links).
Whatever your view, it is often best to know what others are saying. Mr. Average’s opinions may shed light on public issues and Sir or Lady Decision Maker with eye cocked on the ballot box may take heed of them.
Here are some speculative articles from members of the public that have a bearing on the international body politic
A call for reflection
SHIELD
Cosmopolitanism: an ideology for the 21st Century?
Medicine
Democracy vis-à-vis other Political Systems
The International Political Stage
External Links
Academy of Ideas, The
Intelligent, open-minded public debates that explore current events and new ideas.
This is a search engine
Harpers
Roundtable discussions of contemporary issues by the academics, writers, and thinkers who know them best.
Next Century Foundation
The Next Century Foundation believes that meeting on a non-political level can lubricate the wheels of diplomacy. All who participate are determined to act through an unofficial network creating forums for people of opposing sides. The sole aim of the Foundation is to apply a solvent for the fear, insecurity and lack of trust that have so often bedevilled more public exchanges.
Polity
Polity as a strong list in many subjects in the social sciences and humanities, including politics, sociology, philosophy, history, media and communications, cultural studies, gender studies and literature.
Quora
A place to gain and share knowledge. It is a platform to ask questions and connect with people who contribute unique insights and quality answers.
An American news aggregation and discussion website covering news, politics, religion, science, movies, video games, music, books, sports, fitness, cooking, pets and image-sharing