New on openDemocracy The International Network of Genocide Scholars (INOGS) is holding a conference in Jerusalem this weekend. The initiative has attracted an attack by Israel Charny in the Jerusalem Post under the lurid heading, ‘Genocide scholars who minimize the Holocaust – and some who are coming to town’. This summarised his article published in… Continue reading Why I’m not discussing genocide in Jerusalem
BREXIT: The R is for Racism
My latest post on openDemocracy: If the B in Brexit stands for Boris and his overweening ambition, the R is for Racism, the method through which Vote Leave aims to achieve the political upset of the century. In ITV’s two-hour debate, Johnson waffled on about democracy and an ‘Australian-style points system’, his latest migration-management wheeze… Continue reading BREXIT: The R is for Racism
What will happen after the referendum?
My article on openDemocracy two days ago. Boris Johnson has achieved the remarkable feat of making David Cameron (‘PR Dave’) look principled. While Johnson’s ‘agonising’ Brexit choice - apparently after drafting two opposing articles for the Daily Telegraph - was transparently opportunist, Cameron’s ‘Remain’ looks like a strategic decision. Unlike Johnson’s, the prime minister’s deceitful hype… Continue reading What will happen after the referendum?
The making of an open and democratic Europe: reading Brexit through E.P. Thompson
It is said that the Brexiteers have the identity side of the debate sown up. The British, or at least the English, do not feel European. We have our history as a proud, island people - they, on the Continent, have very different traditions. It is remarkable how this myth has taken root, although the English, Scots,… Continue reading The making of an open and democratic Europe: reading Brexit through E.P. Thompson
Three realities of the Isis conflict
The west must prioritise civilian wellbeing in any intervention: my new post on Policy Network There are three sectors of the conflict with Isis – the war zones of Syria-Iraq, the regional states which provide most of the backing for the wars and where most refugees are based, and western Europe where refugees now aim to come… Continue reading Three realities of the Isis conflict
Conceptualising and theorising antisemitism and racism – new paper
Conceptualising and Theorising Antisemitism and Racism: The Structural Context of Israel-Palestine, Journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies 14.2 (2015): 149–164 (pdf available). ABSTRACT This paper provides a basis for re-examining the contemporary connections of antisemitism and racism through an examination of the conceptual and theoretical parameters of the concept of racism. It argues that racism is a… Continue reading Conceptualising and theorising antisemitism and racism – new paper
Corbyn will need to go beyond his – and Labour’s – comfort zones
If he is elected Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn will need to seek broader alliances and promote constitutional reform to overcome his and the party's 'electability' dilemmas. This post first appeared on openDemocracy. It will now be a major upset if Jeremy Corbyn is not elected leader of the Labour Party on 12 September,… Continue reading Corbyn will need to go beyond his – and Labour’s – comfort zones
Israel transfers risk from its soldiers to Gaza civilians
Citing my theory of risk-transfer war, Israeli social scientist Yagil Levy analyses in The Washington Post how - despite an increase in Israeli casualties in its 2014 attack on Gaza compared to 2008-9 - Israel transferred the risks of its campaign even more to Palestinian civilians than in the earlier conflict.
New edition of What is Genocide?
The Second Edition of my What is Genocide? has just been published by Polity Press. Fully revised, it includes a new chapter with an extended critical assessment of Lemkin, development of the argument on 'structure' and genocide, and improved presentation for teaching purposes. 20% discount and examination copies are available via this link: What is Genocide… Continue reading New edition of What is Genocide?
How the SNP-Tory dynamics shifted the 2015 election
My interpretation of the British General Election of 2015 just published on openDemocracy: much of the post-election discussion is in denial about what happened. The report of the Cabinet Office enquiry into the memorandum about Nicola Sturgeon’s conversation with the French Ambassador has exposed the role of the former Liberal Democrat Scottish Secretary, Alistair Carmichael, in… Continue reading How the SNP-Tory dynamics shifted the 2015 election
Martin Shaw 