Eurosphere agenda: “Europe’s Destructive Spirals of Distrust by Thomas Hylland Eriksen

German churches get wi-fi ‘Godspots’

Wi-fi hotspots will be installed at 220 Protestant churches across the Berlin and Brandenburg region.

Europe’s Destructive Spirals of Distrust

Dutch riot police wield their batons as they disperse a group of people during pro and anti immigrations rallies in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Thousands of people took part in protests against Islam and immigration in several European cities. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
On February 6, 2016, thousands of people protested the immigration of Muslims, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and other cities across Europe. Peter Dejong/AP Photo
French Prime Minister Valls has boxed the controversial law on job market reform through parliament without a vote. The bill is now before the Senate. After weeks of protests, police officers also demonstrated on Wednesday against violence against the security forces. Can the country overcome its differences?

With Iceland’s Pirate Party Surging in the Polls, Its Government Resists New Elections

THROWN INTO DISARRAYby a Panama Papers scandal, Iceland’s coalition government appointed a new prime minister on Thursday, refusing to call early elections to resolve a crisis in public confidence brought about by the revelation that three senior ministers had secret offshore accounts.

“Brexit”: the real threat to globalization

British voters on June 23 may also decide the future of globalisation/ financialisation. If Britain votes to leave the EU, globalisation may be over, and with it an era in history.

Viewing the City of London's official 1:500th scale architectural model of central London at the City Centre gallery, May 2016.

Nordic Leaders’ Summit: Pomp, Pageantry, and Serious Business

The dedicated staff at the White House and State Department rolled out the red carpet early on May 13. It was going to be put to good use as President Obama and Secretary Kerry welcomed all five Nordic leaders — from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — and more than 400 guests who help define and shape U.S.-Nordic relations.

The hypocrisy of European moralism: Greece and the politics of cultural aggression – part 2

In the current debt crisis, Greeks often stand accused of irresponsible borrowing, corruption, and laziness. In this article, I argue that the patently unfair way in which these stereotypes have framed the ongoing tensions between Greece and the other European countries is deeply grounded in the dynamics of “crypto-colonialism.” German fascination with ancient Greece has combined with the needs of British, French, and, later, American strategic interests to produce a toxic brew of humiliation and contempt for the Greek people of today. Yet Greece, by escaping from the aftermath of military dictatorship under the unexpectedly benign guidance of the elder Constantine Karamanlis, is now – in marked contrast to at least one other crypto-colonial state – giving the unelected leadership of the European Union and other creditors a lesson in democratic self-sufficiency. Resolution of the residual tensions will nevertheless only be possible when both sides agree to cease trading insulting stereotypes and admit the errors of a shared and embarrassing past – a process for which anthropological perspectives can offer significant support.

Finland is the most heavily regulated country in Europe when it comes to alcohol, food and drinks, e-cigarettes and tobacco laws, followed by Sweden, the UK and Ireland, according to a new Nanny State Index published on Tuesday (5 April).

EU to review asylum claim system

The European Commission is due to unveil options for reforms to the way EU countries handle asylum claims in response to the migrant crisis.

European walls of hate and fear

We do need borders – but these needn’t be barricades. Español

North African immigrants in Sicily. Vito Manzari. Wikimedia Commons. Some rights reserved.

National newspapers continue to act as Brexit propagandists

By conflating arguments about the EU debate with the Port Talbot crisis and Europe’s controversial migration policy, they engender Euroscepticism

The Observer, in a front page article about an opinion poll, contended that the result was “a blow to David Cameron and the pro-EU camp”.

Clarifying Europe’s Refugee Problem

The blurring of the line between refugee and immigrant in Europe has made it virtually impossible to make compelling arguments in favor of proper protection of refugees or more effective immigration policy. This has thwarted honest and constructive discussion, allowing those who peddle fear and nativism to gain ground.


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