This essay highlights and explains the key elements of the model of deliberative democracy encoun... more This essay highlights and explains the key elements of the model of deliberative democracy encountered, namely its contested nature, its procedural approach to decision making and its normative claims. After highlighting these overarching aspects I explain what can be conceptualised as the major two theoretical divisions of the model’s constitution: the liberal constitutional approach and the critical approach. On this latter approach the essay examines the Zapatista model of democracy to showcase the contemporary relevance of this more critical strand of the model.
This paper examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Algerian War of Independence (1954 – 196... more This paper examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Algerian War of Independence (1954 – 1962) against France. This war is considered one of the bloodiest wars post-WWII, with estimates of 1 – 1.5 million killed as a result. I use a strong form of consequentialist ethics to provide a justification for the violent actions of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) as actions that were justified by their ends. At the same time, I argue the actions of the French are not deserving of the same verdict. This paper examines the historical roots of the war, the meaning behind each party's strategies, and their consequences postwar in order to provide an effective ethical evaluation of means and ends.
This essay highlights and explains the key elements of the model of deliberative democracy encoun... more This essay highlights and explains the key elements of the model of deliberative democracy encountered, namely its contested nature, its procedural approach to decision making and its normative claims. After highlighting these overarching aspects I explain what can be conceptualised as the major two theoretical divisions of the model’s constitution: the liberal constitutional approach and the critical approach. On this latter approach the essay examines the Zapatista model of democracy to showcase the contemporary relevance of this more critical strand of the model.
This paper examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Algerian War of Independence (1954 – 196... more This paper examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Algerian War of Independence (1954 – 1962) against France. This war is considered one of the bloodiest wars post-WWII, with estimates of 1 – 1.5 million killed as a result. I use a strong form of consequentialist ethics to provide a justification for the violent actions of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) as actions that were justified by their ends. At the same time, I argue the actions of the French are not deserving of the same verdict. This paper examines the historical roots of the war, the meaning behind each party's strategies, and their consequences postwar in order to provide an effective ethical evaluation of means and ends.
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