Blogging, the nihilist impulse

Media theorist and Internet activist Geert Lovink formulates a theory of weblogs that goes beyond the usual rhetoric of citizen journalism. [Italian and Swedish versions added] [more]

Can you hear me now?

Mobile technology in rural Russia

With Siberia and the Urals close on the heels of Moscow in mobile phone ownership, Russia's expanses are rapidly coming to seem less vast. How the latest technology is challenging the monopoly of state-owned media. [Italian version added] [more]

Who are the citizens of Europe?

Current citizenship laws in the European Union vary dramatically. The tension between freedom of movement and national legislation on citizenship has the potential to create serious conflicts, writes Rainer Bauböck. [more]

Beyond the clash of intolerances

Today, we are not experiencing a clash of civilizations, but a clash of intolerances. "We must encourage opposing forces to adhere to values of moderation, tolerance, and non-violence", says the Iranian philosopher. [more]

The new paths of modern Islam

In an interview about the Mohammed cartoons, Rachid Benzine advocates a new reading of the Koran with the instruments of the social sciences. [more]

At the margins of Europe

Russia and Turkey

November 2005 saw the opening of the monumental Blue Stream pipeline, which pumps natural gas from Russia across the Black Sea to the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Is a new Eurasian alliance forming at the margins of Europe? [more]

Translating the translation

Critical trends are shaping the field of translation studies. [more]

Religion, European secular identities, and European integration

The rapid process of secularization in western Europe has not diminished the unease with which Europe considers Islam and Muslims in its midst. In this benchmark essay from 2004, José Casanova argues that the "Islam problem" is an indicator of the disparity between liberal and illiberal strands of European secularism. [Lithuanian version added] [more]

Europe loses ground

Cultural media from the perspective of the Internet

European newspapers must finally pay attention to the power of the Internet. [more]

"Ach Europa"

Questions about a European public space and ambiguities of the European project

National media prove remarkably resilient to attempts to create a European public sphere, while transatlantic communication flows continue to dominate. What does this mean for the future of the much talked-about European public sphere? [more]

Energizing the European public space

There is only one path open to meeting the challenge posed by a heterogeneous collective of nationally oriented viewers, listeners, and readers: a European public space spearheaded by already established national media. [more]