December, 2011
Inside the Issues 2.11 - "The Arab Spring, One Year Later"
In her third appearance on Inside the Issues, CIGI senior fellow and Middle Eastern economics expert Bessma Momani discusses the state of the so-called 'Arab Spring' one year after the uprising began. She says that democratic progress is likely to proceed in fits and starts across countries that have experienced regime change, while economic dynamics are likely to preserve the reign of rulers in Syria and the Gulf states.
Inside the Issues, Episode 2.10: Steven Mock on Nationalism
In episode10 of season two, Steven Mock discusses the complex topic of nationalism and its effects on domestic and international politics. As the author of the upcoming book, "Symbols of Defeat in the Construction of National Identity," Mock goes on to explain how symbols of unsuccessful historical events have been mythologized to strengthen states' conceptions of their national narrative. In the global arena, nationalism may seem irrational and even mystical at times but must be taken seriously as a vital political force, Mock argues.
Inside the Issues, Episode 2.9: Macrohistorical Governance Change
In episode 9 of season two, Mark Raymond discusses the longer-term, macro-level changes to international governance and social movements that have occurred over the past 1,000 years. As the co-lead researcher of the Ideational Conflict Project at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Raymond explains how and why institutions have changed so dramatically, and where they might be headed in the future.