From citizen-soldiers to imperialism: The evolution of democratic warfare
RevisitWhat drives democracies to replace citizen-soldiers with professional armies? Aldo Matteucci examines how wars of choice contribute to imperial ambitions.
West vs East: Approaches to fighting corruption
RevisitCan the West's focus on transparency and the East's emphasis on moral accountability provide complementary tools to combat it? Aldo Matteucci investigates.
Could we rebuild morality from scratch?
Revisit Ethics, Principles and valuesIf morality were destroyed, could we rebuild it from its fragments? Aldo Matteucci examines Alasdair MacIntyre’s theory.
How and why language is hardening in modern discourse
RevisitLanguage is shifting – words like ‘dialogue’ and ‘conversation’ are being replaced by ‘debate’ and ‘discussion’. Is this hardening of tone a sign of the times? Aldo Matteucci analyses.
Collateral consequences: The unseen price of consumerism
RevisitMarkets excel at facilitating trade, but they fail to address the unintended consequences of consumerism like pollution. Aldo Matteucci provides ideas on how to approach these hidden costs.
Diplomatic extraterritoriality
Revisit Diplomatic theory and practice BlogsDiplomatic extraterritoriality isn’t absolute, but a tool shaped by political necessity. Examples from historic ambassadors to Assange show how its application is influenced by power dynamics. Aldo Matteucci analyses.
The dangers of believing states always act rationally
RevisitBlindly believing in state rationality can lead to disaster. Historical mistakes, from Brest-Litovsk to unrestricted warfare, show the dangers of ignoring past lessons. Aldo Matteucci analyses.
The decline (and fall?) of the term ‘ambassador’
Revisit Diplomatic functions and toolsThe term 'ambassador' has fallen far from its original diplomatic prestige and is now often used for celebrities or corporate PR. Has its true meaning become a casualty of commodification? Aldo Matteucci analyses.
Southeast Asia: The evolution of a regional concept
Revisit International relations and diplomacyWWII turned Southeast Asia from a collection of colonial names into a distinct region. Aldo Matteucci analyses the metageography behind the transformation.
Peace of Westphalia: How Europe’s peace shaped global power struggles
RevisitHow did the Peace of Westphalia (1648) impact world order? It redefined power, sovereignty, and who gets to rule. Aldo Matteucci explores its history and lasting effects on our world today.
