Do we still believe in the idea of the common good, a concept that seemed ubiquitous through the 20th Century? This interview, with renowned philosopher Prof. Hans Sluga, seeks to explain what has happened.
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Tag Archives: EU
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The fate of the common good
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Jüri Luik—Estonian identity and Baltic security
An interview with Estonia’s newly appointed Defence Minister. It’s an insight into many of the security issues that face, not just Estonia, but Europe as a whole.
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Kristina Kallas—Russian minorities in the Baltics
How do the vast Russian minorities of the Baltic states fit into the complex geopolitical equations and growing climate of tension that exist around the northern border between Russia and Europe?
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The Baltic embrace
As geopolitical tensions ramp up across the world, the Baltic region once again finds itself on the vulnerable edge of a frightening, but sadly familiar game of brinkmanship between Moscow and Europe.
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The Identity Papers: Exploring the limits of togetherness
Has the appealing notion of the common good, an idea that enabled the European Union to ‘float’, been replaced by the less appealing prospect of the common fate? Does this explain the risky, but increasingly prevalent clamour across nations for the option of jumping overboard?
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Crisis & Creativity
—a 4-part radio seriesThe European Union is struggling. Not just because of the Brexit, the GFC and the arrival of millions of refugees, but because Europe as an idea of fairness, democracy and freedom is under attack. But there are creative responses, ones that can only happen with a shift in perception and certain childlike belief.
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The reckoning: Truth and illusion with borders
The compelling phenomenon of a vast migration of refugees has shown us one crucial thing. Distant outsiders do not notice or observe our own tribal borders, the ones we think ought to be obvious.
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The low moral high-ground
When we hear of major tragedies, along with sympathy for the victims, would be the reflexive response of ‘Thank God it wasn’t us.’ But what if it was ‘us’? We’d be asking ‘Why?’, ‘How could this happen?’ or ‘Who’s to blame?’ But in some tragedies, like the recent Paris attacks, along with outrage and shock, lies a silent but niggling thought ‘I hope it wasn’t somehow our fault …’
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Hungary: Democracy distorted?
—a radio featureHow has Hungary gone from having one of the most admired legal systems in the world, to becoming the most worrying symbol of democratic decline within Europe? European Union was founded on the belief that all members wanted to distance themselves from the sorts of conflicts and closed regimes that defined much of the 20th century, but Europe was ill-prepared for the cascading side-effects of a crippling economic crisis.
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Crucial Europe
Why should Europe matter to Australians? Is there any value in still teaching European languages in schools? Crucial Europe was a talk delivered, by Michael Shirrefs, to the Europe in the 21st century: Power, leadership & crisis, a summer school for secondary school teachers of European studies and languages, Monash University Melbourne, 18th January 2013.
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The Art of Being Europe
—a 6-part radio seriesIt was Jacques Delors, former president of the European Commission, who first suggested the idea that Europe needed a soul. ‘No one ever fell in love with a trade agreement,’ he said. But across Europe, as the GFC bites and manufacturing industries fade, culture is on the climb and art is now an asset.
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