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donate Summary Blätter 9/2010
Robert Misik
Starry-eyed idealism revisited
Being left means being progressive
Left politics are often criticized for always being against and never in favour of anything. Robert Misik presents a counter-argument: for him, being a leftist means being progressive. He argues that – as the economic crisis has proven – the left has important social as well as economic competencies.
Edelbert Richter
Defending left-wing tradition against conformism
Commemorating Walter Benjamin
Seventy years ago, Walter Benjamin died while trying to escape the Nazis. Referring to Benjamin, theologian and politician Edelbert Richter argues in favour of preserving his left-wing tradition.
Rudolf Hickel
Tax evasion as felony
The purchase of CDs with data about German tax evaders has caused a debate in the media. But the real scandal goes far beyond the limits of this debate: Rudolf Hickel, Professor of Finance and co-editor of Blätter, reveals the structural failures in the fight against tax evasion on a national, European and global level.
Jörg Goldberg
The "new IMF": Fighting crisis or guarding the system?
In face of the global economic crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again tried to reinvent itself. Jörg Goldberg illustrates the structure and image of the "new IMF" – and its (in)ability to change.
Gunnar Henrich and Falk Hartig
Soft Power China?
The economic rise of the People's Republic of China seems to go on forever. But contrary to the expectations of many observers, China has followed a course of international cooperation. Gunnar Henrich analyses the characteristics of Chinese "Soft Power". Falk Hartig outlines the role of the Konfuzius Institute as an important instrument in Chinese foreign policy and its "soft power".
Dieter Senghaas
Just peace instead of just war. Lessons from the last decade
With respect to policies promoting peace, the last decade was a lost one. Dieter Senghaas proposes a new debate on peacekeeping in the twenty first century. His thesis: in order to overcome the idea of "just wars", concepts of "just peace" have to be strengthened and promoted.
Charlotte Wiedemann
Dead end migration.
How emigration impedes development
For many people in the global South, emigration to wealthier European countries seems the only option to get out of misery. Yet the impact of mass emigration on their countries of origin, especially in Africa, has proven disastrous. Charlotte Wiedemann analyses a case from Mali. Her conclusion: Even well-meaning policies may produce negative results.
Patrick Bahners
Fanaticism of enlightenment
Criticizing the criticism of Islam
In the current debates on integration, many voices claim that Islam is incompatible with an enlightened, open-minded, democratic and constitutional society. Patrick Bahners from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung demonstrates the shortcomings and mistakes of the self-acclaimed "critics of Islam".
Published 2010-09-06
Original in German
Contributed by Blätter
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