On Predatory States
Historian Jaroslav Strnad in his excellent chapters in his thick monograph History of India uses the term “predatory states”. Predatory states are typical of Islamic civilization, but they can spring…
On the Need to Tax Domestic Labour
If we look at the trends in taxation and social policy, it is quite logical that if the same trends continue, sooner or later we will run out of domestic…
On the Soviet-American Value Community
“At one time, the Soviets and the Americans were united in theme. Manners, upbringing, outlook: chivalry, kindness, admiration of nature, respect for elders, the celebration of the warrior ethic, these…
Must a Diplomat be Able to Read and Write?
Can anyone else imagine members of the political and diplomatic elite writing thick books, studying complex writings and thinking about strategies? Those who didn’t write books must have at least…
Staring is Harassment
Because the Prague City Council has its priorities clearly aligned and spends money only on what is really important, an advertising campaign is currently running where the authorities explain that…
On groupthink and unnecessary defeats
Today’s post is on Substack. You can read it here. Short excerpt: “One of those mistakes is that people encourage each other to take an initially realistic view and escalate…