A Journalist

All my writing as a Journalist.

Majoritarian vs. Consensus Democracies: Comparing the UK and US Political Systems

Democratic governments around the world do not all operate in the same way. Some concentrate power in the hands of the majority, while others spread power across various institutions to ensure broader consensus. Political scientist Arend Lijphart famously described two ideal models of democracy: majoritarian and consensus. In this blog post, we will explore what […]

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The Continued Relevance of John Locke’s Ideas

By Laury A. Echavarria John Locke (1632–1704) remains one of the most influential political philosophers of the Enlightenment. His ideas on natural rights, social contract theory, and the relationship between individuals and the state have profoundly shaped modern democracy and liberal thought. In Two Treatises of Government, Locke advanced the principles of freedom, equality, and

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Who performs politics?

By Laury Echavarria. Performing Politics: Beyond Institutions and Individuals Politics is a dynamic and multifaceted process that extends far beyond government institutions and official roles. It involves a wide range of actors, both formal and informal, who contribute to shaping society through their actions, decisions, and expressions. While traditional notions of politics often emphasize parliaments

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Navigating Complex Perspectives: Responding to Thoughtful Commentary

Acknowledging the sway of corporations is crucial, yet asserting there’s “no democracy” oversimplifies today’s intricate power dynamics. It’s imperative to scrutinize such claims and entertain alternative viewpoints, recognizing both the hurdles and promise of democratic engagement in tackling global challenges like climate change. Hope remains indispensable, particularly amid the daunting climate crisis. While acknowledging corporate

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Assessing the Viability of Democratic Politics in Combating the Climate Crisis: An Evaluation of Optimistic Perspectives.

The debate over the effectiveness of democratic politics in addressing the climate crisis has gained prominence. While optimists believe in its potential due to citizen participation and creativity, democratic politics also face challenges such as inequalities in decision-making and a rise in authoritarianism. Despite shortcomings, democratic governance offers promise in tackling the climate crisis through inclusivity and collective action.

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Comparing and contrasting two views on what is required to bring about global justice for the worst off in the world. 

Laury A. Echavarria Bringing about global justice for the worst off in the world becomes challenging due to the diverse interpretations of what equality entails. While there are globally accepted truths, the opinion of global is contrasted with obstacles as interests vary across countries, genders, religions, and preferences (Intersecting Inequalities). Given the complexity of defining

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Two Steps Towards Equity: Understanding Global Inequalities and Strategies for Action. 

Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) website highlights mixed progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exposing notable disparities across the 17 objectives. While certain areas have advanced, deep-seated inequalities persist, particularly in income distribution, gender representation, and access to education and healthcare. These disparities intersect across various dimensions, with

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