Books & ideas

Writing the History of “Natural” Disasters

Lukas Schemper — 2019-12-30T08:00:00Z

Though they are called “natural”, disasters such as earthquakes have a social, political and economic dimension; it is therefore possible to write their history. The 111^th anniversary of the Messina earthquake is an opportunity to reflect on the multi-dimensionality of the event and to outline avenues for historical research on natural disasters.

The War on Drugs: Anatomy of a Failure

Pierre-Arnaud Chouvy — 2016-02-11T08:00:00Z

Launched over a century ago, the war on drugs has been a resounding failure. Not only has it increased trafficking, but it has also reinforced drug use and drug production while cracking down on drug users and peasant producers. The time has come to promote coherent projects of alternative development.

Japan and Asia: The Implications of an Improved Relationship

Guibourg Delamotte — 2011-09-09T10:33:51Z

As China's power increases, Japan is moving closer to other Asian countries. This return to Asia is not univocal, and the newly elected Democratic Party is not in a position to change the direction of Japanese foreign policy.

Global justice, local courts

Wojtek Kalinowski — 2008-06-20T07:13:11Z

The international community places high hopes on the International Criminal Court. In punishing leaders responsible for mass atrocities, it is thought to stabilize the post-conflict society and reconcile the divided population. But the outcome often proves unsatisfactory, and criticism is growing, among local populations and international experts alike. According to Michael Th. Johnson, the ICC must assume a different role than it plays today: rather than “going in and coming out”, it should commit to a long-term effort or restoring the local justice sector's capacity to judge the crimes itself.