At one time it was common to write about the United Kingdom as the fruit of a steady expansion of the English Crown into the neighbouring territories. The subsequent politics of the resulting state was a matter of centre and periphery with all roads leading to London. Distinct histories of the smaller nations existed but strictly for local consumption. From the 1970s … [Read more...] about Making sense of politics in “these islands”
History
Irish neutrality comes under question
It is gob smacking that the Dáil has yet to appoint any committees to scrutinise government in the sort of detail that is particularly necessary at a time in European history when the tectonic plates of international relations are shifting so radically. I cannot think of any time after civil war when the opposition in the south effectively went on strike and refused to do their … [Read more...] about Irish neutrality comes under question
Yesterday’s robber barons can teach today’s oligarchs about responsibilities of wealth
When Mark Zuckerberg recently announced sweeping changes to his company Meta’s work practices in anticipation of a Trump 2.0 presidency, keen-eyed observers noticed the tech titan was wearing a wristwatch worth nearly US$900,000 (£837,000). It’s one of a range of high-end timepieces he has sported recently. This ostentatious display of wealth may have ensured the luxury … [Read more...] about Yesterday’s robber barons can teach today’s oligarchs about responsibilities of wealth
This is serious: Trump wants Greenland and Panama
Donald Trump's controversial statements this week about the US claiming territories like Greenland and the Panama Canal zone are no doubt absurd. Can Russia now claim to have been conned out of selling Alaska to the US nearly 200 years ago? Can France make a similar claim over the 1803 Louisiana Purchase? Would Mexico like to take California and Texas back? And yet, Trump is … [Read more...] about This is serious: Trump wants Greenland and Panama
Lives of the massacred MacDonalds of Glen Coe
Archaeology excels in giving insights into the everyday lives of people in the past. It is only very occasionally that we get those spine-tingling moments when we can connect the artefacts and structures we excavate to very specific people and events – such as the massacre of Glen Coe. One of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, Glen Coe is famous for its dramatic mountains and … [Read more...] about Lives of the massacred MacDonalds of Glen Coe