ARCHIVE: Utblick magazines – Page 2

New Issue of Utblick: (In)security

What is security? The field of Security Studies has various bids; some argue that it is a form of value that stands in proportion to an actor’s material well-being. Others claim that it is impossible to formulate a definition that satisfies every country, every culture, every people and every religion – in this view, security is a subjective concept defined by circumstances.

The matter is complicated even further when the topic is global security – different countries, cultures, peoples and religions have different ideas of what security is. While Americans may perceive US military presence in the Middle East as a reassurance of national security, the people living in that region may regard the very same thing as a cause of insecurity. In the same way, the individual goal of radicalization among Muslims may be to achieve individual social security. However, the result of that pursuit will inevitably endanger the security of others. Evidently, global security is an eternally multi-faced concept for which a single definition will never be enough.

The final issue of the year deals with some of the issues on the contemporary global security agenda, with the goal of providing a detailed and enlightening view of the problems facing our world today, and with the objective of shedding light upon conflicts that have ended up outside the public spotlight.

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries, museums, movie theatres and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here.

New Issue of Utblick: Exit

In the aftermath of Great Britain’s surprising decision to leave the European Union, there has been no shortage of speculations about the consequences that such a departure will have. Emerging Euro-sceptical forces throughout Europe have unanimously approved of the result of the referendum, and have attempted to reinforce anti-EU sentiment in their respective countries, calling for their own referenda. It remains unclear, however, if Brexit will ignite a trend that leads to the demise of the union, or if it instead marks the turn of that very same trend.

Peoples and governments receding to the nation state is by no means exclusive for the European continent. It’s happening in every part of the world, and even if the different movements distinguish significantly from one another, there is at least one reoccurring critique – the denunciation of globalization. On the other side of the Atlantic, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and even Hillary Clinton, have all taken a critical stance against both the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade- and Investment Partnership (TTIP). In South America, market liberalization has been said to lead to exploitation of the continent’s underdevelopment, effectively cementing many countries in their current, underdeveloped state. In Asia, China has benefited greatly, and is currently breathing down the US’ neck as the world’s only superpower. And in the Middle East, Turkey is picking the raisins out of the globalization cake, utilizing the global market while attempting to steer clear of cultural change. Everything in the middle of the worst refugee crisis in decades, and an existential environmental crisis that requires intergovernmental cooperation more than anything.

This issue of Utblick offers discussions on the future of the European Union, in depth analyses on specific countries, and debates, both on the origin and progression of different forms of criticism against globalization, and on the character and effects of the process itself.

We wish you a pleasant read!

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries, museums, movie theatres and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here.

New Issue of Utblick: The Divided States of America

The Divided States of America

On November 8^th this year, the United States will elect its 45^th president. The two main parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, both seem to have decided on a nominee. Donald Trump, a billionaire businessman from Brooklyn, will stand as the republican candidate. His adversary will, with the greatest certainty, be Hillary Clinton, even if Bernie Sanders has vowed to keep fighting until the convention on July 25^th.

Compared to other years, this campaigning process stands out. Less than a year ago, Jeb Bush, the son and brother of the two former Bush presidents, was generally conceived to be the presumptive republican nominee. However, just like the rest of the establishment republicans, he got caught in a maelstrom of right wing populism, and was forced to drop out quite early.

On the other side, Hillary Clinton lead the polls by enormous margins when the race started. While she’s still the candidate with the most votes, her lead has shrunk from insurmountable to minimal. Bernie Sanders, the man responsible for Hillary’s declining numbers, was ruled out for his socialist sympathies when he launched his campaign. He now holds sway over young voters, and dominates the internet in an impressive fashion.

But why is it that streams of populism, both to the left and right, have gained such strength? This issue of Utblick will attempt to pinpoint some of the reasons behind this election’s ideological irregularities, as well as offer candidate related debate and information about the US and its electoral system.

We sincerely hope that you will find the issue informative, interesting, diverse and enlightening, and that you will enjoy reading it is as much as we’ve enjoyed making it.

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries, museums, movie theatres and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here.

New issue of Utblick: Democracy – Out of Fashion?

Democracy out of Fashion?

Democracy is often spoken of as the best form of governance that exists. While this may be true, democracy is by no means a flawless alternative. We’ve seen time and time again how democratic countries fall into ruin as a result of the people’s right to determine the form of state. The same people who are supposedly guided by egoistic incentives and discontent. It happened in Germany in the 1920s and 30s, then again in Serbia in the 1990s, and it’s happening again all across the democratic world. On the other hand, no constitution has ever proven as successful in so many instances as democracy has, begging the question ‘is there even a better alternative, or is democracy the best we’re ever going to have?
“Democracy – Out of Fashion?” offers a series of diverse analyses of countries where democracy is being challenged or is inefficient, as well as discussions regarding the very idea of what democracy is.

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries, museums, movie theatres and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here.

New issue of Utblick: Africa?, out now!

Africa?

Africa, this big continent on the rise, is home to more than a billion people in over 50 countries with diverse cultural and political structures. Many African countries today are said to be at the forefront of economic and social development, making the continent a potential challenger to the world order of today and tomorrow. But still, these glimpses of progress seem to cover a very small part of what media in general reports. In this last issue of 2015 we dwelve into the past and present of the continent. Join our discussion by reading our latest articles, essays and interviews, aiming to give an alternative point of view than the mainstream media!

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries, museums, movie theatres and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here!

New issue of Utblick: Responsibility and growth

Responsibility / Growth

The latest issue of Utblick focuses on global growth, by addressing problems of responsibility and growth in relation to morality and economy (both on a local and global level). Topics we discuss include trade agreements, urban development, corporate responsibility, and even air pollution, medical resources and overfishing. Join our discussion by reading our latest articles, interviews and poems!

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here!

New issue of Utblick: Freedom of Speech

The latest issue of Utblick tackles the hot topic of freedom of speech! We are proud to present articles ranging from the Charlie Hebdo massacre’s effects on French society, to London’s public transport workers speaking their minds via protest, as well as a reflection on traditional journalism’s challenges in the 21st century. Throughout the magazine, you can find poetry that we hope will add a personal interpretation to these complex discussions on freedom, censorship and the right to speak your mind.

You can look for this issue of Utblick at coffee shops, libraries and university faculties all across Göteborg, or read it online here.

New Issue of Utblick: Pro-choice

In the latest issue of Utblick: Read about the American pro-life movement, the EU scepticism amidst the upcoming election, and find out why more and more people support Front National in France. Furthermore, you’ll be thoroughly briefed on the right wing populism of Turkey’s PM Erdo?an and his AK party, the issue of cannabis legalisation and much much more.

As always, you can find the magazine at coffee shops, libraries and university institutions all over Göteborg, or read it online here

New Issue of Utblick: Rain/Reign

The latest issue of Utblick offers reports on issues ranging from weather, rain and reign, as well as non-reign. Electronic rain over the DPRK, Musevenis Ugandan reign, water shortage in Israel and Palestine, disastrous rain, as well as the partial abscense of reign in Catalonia.

As always, you can find the magazine at coffee shops, libraries and university institutions all over Göteborg, or read it online here

New Issue of Utblick: Mind the Gap

The last issue of 2013 covers different types of gaps: gaps of power and within the political spectrum, gaps between sexes and within cities, as well as the literally palpable thigh gap. You could also read about how Erdogan’s Turkey widens the gap to Atatürk’s ideals, or about how widening gaps within nations relate to narrowing gaps between nations. Even more topics on the theme are waiting to be read, don’t miss it!

As always, you can find the magazine at coffee shops, libraries and university institutions all over Göteborg, or read it online here*.

With this issue, Jenni S. Lindberg and Jonas Eriksson resign from our posts as Editors-in-Chief, and welcome Utblick’s new Editors Aiysha Varraich and Josef Svantesson. Thanks for us, and good luck!

*The web version includes some minor corrections.