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Kafka’s “The metamorphosis” and Kierkegaardian despair

Kafka’s “The metamorphosis” and Kierkegaardian despair

Alex Law “The Metamorphosis” written by Czech Author Franz Kafka in 1915 tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a travelling merchant who awakens one morning to find himself transformed into a “monstrous insect”. The absurdist tone of the novella is rapidly elucidated as Gregor is seemingly more horrified by his

How religion influences politics

How religion influences politics

Kari Gill Religion and politics are so closely entwined, and this has been fundamentally demonstrated throughout history. Conventional societies show us that many religious leaders are also modelling more secular and civil figures, highlighting the importance of religious beliefs when it comes to moral, ethical, and political decision-making. However, many

The role of silence in Spain's transition to democracy

The role of silence in Spain's transition to democracy

Gauri Khanna Over the summer, I immersed myself in ‘The Ghosts of Spain’, a book describing the journey of award-winning journalist Giles Tremlett as he travels through the nation, uncovering its hidden past and the ways history has shaped it. On reading the introduction, I agreed with his emphasis on

How can the UK government and international partners reduce global extreme poverty?

How can the UK government and international partners reduce global extreme poverty?

Jacob Corne Before the policies that the UK government and international partners could introduce to reduce global extreme poverty are discussed, it is important to recognise a key distinction. Whilst poverty affects nearly half of the world’s population (United Nations, no date), extreme poverty narrows the scope to around

The economics behind hosting the World Cup

The economics behind hosting the World Cup

Tom Rood With the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, economists have taken interest into understanding the economics behind hosting arguably the most prestigious sporting tournament. In July 2008, the General Secretariat for Development Planning in the state of Qatar came up with a great economic ambition known

What would happen if we banned billionaires?

What would happen if we banned billionaires?

Saahat Satyam The philosopher John Rawls posed the idea that we should all imagine that we sit behind a veil of ignorance. Behind this veil of ignorance, we are oblivious to who we are, our class, education, privileges, financial position and so on. We exist as an impartial body tasked

Is tax theft?

Is tax theft?

Gauri Khanna ‘Individuals have rights, and there are things no person or group may do to them (without violating their rights)’. In the opening line of Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick lays the foundation for the libertarian assertion that no state more extensive than the minimal one can be