The state of the world’s states

Posted on February 22, 2013 | 3 Comments

The state is the organising principle of national and international politics and states are the subject of abundant historical research, academic theory and contemporary analysis.  That perhaps makes it a little strange to say that both the state as a category and states in general tend to be taken for granted. But that’s how it is – and it’s a problem. Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Conflict & peace, Power, The State of the World

Tagged , , , , , ,

The world’s state of war and peace

Posted on January 18, 2013 | 3 Comments

Most of the trends that The State of the World Atlas looks at are ones that are visible across the last two decades since the Cold War ended. During that period, peace is one of the big, under-reported (though not unqualified) good news stories. Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Conflict & peace, The State of the World

Tagged , , , , ,

The unequal state of the world

Posted on January 14, 2013 | 3 Comments

The state of the world is not just one thing. Continue reading →

→ 3 Comments

Posted in International development, The State of the World

Tagged , , , , ,

The state of the world

Posted on January 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

Today is publication day for the new edition of The State of the World Atlas. It presents information about the world – economics, politics, conflict, health, environment and demography – in a variety of forms, primarily in maps and other visuals, also in text. If you will excuse me, I want to introduce it to you. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in The State of the World

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Resources – the coming crunch and some things that could be done about it

Posted on January 7, 2013 | 2 Comments

As I remarked already, and it’s the starting point for the new edition of my State of the World Atlas (published this week), the human population is seven times greater than it was 200 years ago but our use of resources is disproportionately greater still: we produce 50 times as much, using 60 times as much water and 75 times as much energy. Where is that all going – and perhaps more to the point, how long can it keep on going? A new report offers insights. Continue reading →

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Conflict & peace, International development, The economic crunch

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Van Rompuy strikes a good balance

Posted on December 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Nobel Lecture when the EU received the 2012 Peace Prize was a speech in two chapters, the first delivered by Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the Council, and the second by Jose Barroso, President of the Commission. It was van Rompuy who addressed the issues I raised in yesterday’s post and he did it pretty well. Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Conflict & peace, The economic crunch

Tagged , , , ,

The EU’s Nobel Peace Prize

Posted on December 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Today, Monday 10 December, in Oslo City Hall and then in the banqueting rooms of the Grand Hotel in the evening, the European Union receives and celebrates the Nobel Peace Prize 2012.

Continue reading →

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Conflict & peace

Tagged , , , ,