So it's been a while since I last posted something. While contemplating my academic future and reminiscing about my experience at the University of London, I found this essay from my undergraduate studies. Reading it now, I am quite proud of it and I thought that it should see the light of day :)

Do classical theorists have any relevance to the understanding of contemporary world politics?

The academic discipline of International relations emerged in the aftermath of the Great War (1914-1918) out of the realization that knowledge and education are essential prerequisites for a more peaceful world. Ever since, various theorists from virtually every political tradition have looked to the past in an attempt to discover timeless wisdoms and universal truths.  Any student of International Relations must be familiar with the basic ideas of authors such as Thucydides, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Grotius and Kant, to name but a few. The masterpieces of these thinkers have acquired a canonical status in Western Political Philosophy. What these authors had to say will remain relevant long after the academic debates of the present have been superseded. Often their ideas are used to explain present-day concerns such as the effect of anarchy upon the behavior of states, the role of law and morality in the international arena, the effects of capitalism or the importance of democracy and constitutionalism. However, classical ideas need to be understood in their particular context as authors were living in specific, often unique circumstances and they were addressing the problems of their historical reality. Thus, although classical ideas have a lot to offer to the present world, attempts to simply apply them to modern agendas may be misleading or even worse – they may be serving particular interests.

One cannot attempt to evaluate the resilience of classical ideas and their alleged “universal truth”, without looking at the dominant theories of international relations today and their roots. The present essay will analyze the two most influential modern adversaries: Realism with its claim to embody timeless wisdom, juxtaposed with Liberal ideas, which too are informed by pre-modern political thought.

While Realism emerged as an academic tradition within the IR discipline in the 1930s, its greatest thinkers claim that the tradition has much older, in fact ancient roots. This paradigm is defined by its profound skepticism of progress, hence Realist thinkers look back to Ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy to find support for their arguments. The world may have changed in important ways but the essential characteristics remain the same: international politics are dominated by the logic of anarchy, states are caught in a perpetual struggle for power in a system where survival is never guaranteed and self-help is the only source of security. Many contemporary realists would doubt whether a person from the 21^st century knows anything about international politics that Thucydides didn’t in the 5^th century BC.

Thucydides himself wrote that his History of the Peloponnesian War, an account of the destructive war that engulfed the ancient Greek city-states, will be a “possession for all time”[1] (Thucydides., Warner and Finley, 1972). The Melian Dialogue (the dialogue between Athenian representatives and the officials of the small island of Melos), for instance, is often cited as an embodiment of realist principles: in a system with no overarching authority to regulate behavior, “the strong do what they have the power to do” and “the weak accept what they have to accept”. “The standard of justice depends on equality of power” and “it is a general and necessary law of nature to rule whatever one can”. The logic of anarchy compels the Athenians to conquer the weaker Melians and hence - increase their own security while displaying overwhelming power. “If one follows one’s interest one wants to be safe, whereas the path of justice and honor involves one in danger.” Neorealists claim that Thucydides’ History provides timeless insights into the importance of global anarchy in shaping state relations. Kenneth Waltz argues that it represents an early recognition of “the anarchic character of international politics”, which “accounts for the striking sameness of the quality of international life throughout millennia”[2] (Waltz, 1979). The argument goes that in reading Thucydides one cannot help but recognize a recurring pattern in the events of Ancient Greece and contemporary world affairs. Structural realists such as Waltz and Gilpin found that the Hellenic system and particularly the relationship between Athens and Sparta, provided an allegory for Cold War polarization. As bipolarization proceeds (in the language of contemporary theorists) the system becomes increasingly unstable, so does the likelihood of a system-changing conflict[3] (Gilpin, 1988). Just as anarchy compelled the Athenians to rule whatever they can in the zero-sum competition for survival with Sparta, so too the US was justified to intervene in Latin America, Africa and elsewhere during the Cold War to destabilize regimes or to support brutal undemocratic rulers that opposed communism, because a shift in their political allegiance risked to upset the bipolar balance.

Similarly, Hobbes’s state of nature is perceived as an analogy of neorealism’s anarchic world: a world of insecurity, where the sovereigns have their weapons pointing at each other perpetually (Hobbes and Gaskin 1998). Hobbes writes in a very turbulent time- the English Civil War, which led him to believe that without sovereign authority life is “solitary, nasty, brutish and short”[4]. On this account the state is the ultimate provider of security. Similarly, Machiavelli advocates dual moral standards: lying, cheating and failing to fulfill promises internationally is only justified because the state allows a moral community to flourish internally[5] (Brown, Nardin and Rengger, 2002). Those arguments resonate with contemporary realist and neo-realist thought. Waltz, for instance, argues that the state is indeed the most important actor in international politics. It provides order and security domestically and despite the growing number of international institutions, people still look to the state to solve problems and to provide essential services[6] (Baylis and Smith, 2001).

 The problem here is that although the aforementioned examples seem to confirm the surprising resilience of classical arguments, this initial appearance may collapse should they be more closely analyzed. The world today is hardly the cruel lawless system that existed in pre-modern times. As much as realists would hate to admit, the international society has evolved. Anarchy may still define international relations, in the sense that there is no overarching global government, but there is an elaborate system of global governance. The emergence and resilience of international institutions seem to confirm that there is a place for morality and law in the international arena. The ancient Greeks, for instance, had no equivalent of the United Nations, the institution which is the sole source of legitimate authority to wage war today[7] (Un.org, 2014). The international economy is regulated by extensive and powerful institutions, which though based on international cooperation, have developed their own identity and are eager to dominate their respective realms. Furthermore, the global influence of private actors is unprecedented. The three main rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, have been named key enablers of the financial crisis of 2008, “from the fiasco of subprime mortgage securitization to tipping Greece into disaster when its sovereign credit rating was downgraded”[8] (Financial Times, 2014). This clearly demonstrates that even the most powerful states have lost economic autonomy and they often find themselves at the mercy of external developments. The immense growth of international institutions is even more evident when we depart from the governance of vital strategic interests and analyze more trivial areas of daily life: from aviation to postal services, each is governed by internationally agreed rules that no single state can afford to alter or disregard. In this line of thought, the state is far from being the only important actor in the international arena, governments constantly compete for their share of influence with a variety of players and it is against the logic of self-preservation to upset this fragile order.

 It is not that international norms are always respected- the Russian invasion of Crimea is perhaps the most painful recent example. Nevertheless states generally like to appear to act legitimately and they pay at least a lip service to international public opinion. In addition, the nature of war has changed, the 21^st century is marked by the rise of terrorism where the ultimate aim is not territorial expansion but rather the suffering of civilians. The unpredictability of terrorist intentions has led to unprecedented surveillance of the private sphere and unlike territorial integrity, internal security is never guaranteed. There are developments in international relations such as development aid to states of no strategic or economic interest, or humanitarian intervention to save lives of strangers, that cannot easily be explained in terms of classical ideas. Furthermore, recent history suggests that in many places the state is the main source of insecurity rather than law and order. Failed states and murderous regimes such as Somalia and Eritrea have kept their citizens hostage- something that would perhaps come as a surprise to canon thinkers.

Realism is not the sole paradigm to attempt to explain contemporary outcomes in terms of classical ideas. Similarly, the English School of International society draws on the ideas of Grotius about the role of morality and law in relations between sovereign states. In this view “humanity has the capacity to move beyond geopolitics to a condition in which all communities can co-exist amicably without the threat or use of force” (Linklater, 2010)[9]. On the other hand, Michael Doyle’s Democratic Peace thesis is a reincarnation of Kantian beliefs that autocratic regimes are among the causes of war[10] (Doyle, 1983). In this line of thought all states should be republics, based on freedom for all members of society and equality before the law. The reason is that “if the consent of the citizens is required to decide whether or not war is to be declared, it is very natural that they will have great hesitation in embarking in so dangerous an enterprise”[11] (Brown, Nardin and Rengger, 2002). This belief is widely accepted within the Western World. US foreign policy, for instance, constantly propagates the importance of democracy. Presidents from Woodrow Wilson to Barack Obama have expressed their belief that democracy is the path towards international peace and prosperity. However the foreign policy of President George W. Bush stands out as being intrinsically tied to liberal political theory.  While US’s motives for attacking Iraq remain controversial, "regime change -- the replacement of Saddam Hussein's gruesome tyranny with a democracy -- was central to Washington's rhetoric by the time it began bombing Baghdad in March 2003”[12] (Foreign Affairs, 2009). This is a clear case of misinterpretation of liberal ideas or even worse – their blatant abuse, as democratic peace theory does not necessarily advocate forceful imposition of democracy. Clearly, timeless and “universal” liberal principles are often employed for the justification of breaches of international law and intervention in the internal affairs of states. One has to accept that regardless of their appeal, liberal notions of constitutionality, free trade and human rights lack universal legitimacy. We need to proceed with caution and ask ourselves whether liberal norms are not tailored to serving the interests of the powerful.

After a detailed analysis one may admit that classical ideas contribute significantly to modern political thought, learning from past triumphs and mistakes is invaluable when these are not taken out of context. 17^th and 18^th century liberal ideas seem all the more relevant in the era of globalization, with the spread of belief in human rights, the importance of constitutionality and the growth of international regimes serving to prove that perhaps there is no real conflict in the interests of states. At the same time, realist insights are still valid to a great extent. Despite the efforts to create a new world order, we still live in an anarchic world. The failure of the collective security of the League of Nations, the paralysis of the UN during the Cold War, the inability to prevent the War on Terror, and to address the invasion of Crimea, illustrate that we have come a long way but not long enough. States might be unwilling to relinquish control of areas linked to national security and survival however the growth of international institutions elsewhere proves that history is a realm of progress, albeit a slow and painful one.  Classical ideas can be applied to contemporary debates but they need to be understood in their own terms and in their own context first.

 Last but no least, determining which writers are candidates for canon is difficult because the criteria change on the basis of current tendencies. The fact that virtually all of these writers are white male Europeans might be regarded as a legitimate criticism. Classical authors are indeed employed by contemporary theorists to articulate their position, the historical record is searched by dominant political thinkers attempting to find instances when authors from another place and time can be taken to be responding to similar concerns. This could involve the selectivity in the use of classical ideas, the emphasis upon some arguments and the marginalization of others. The student of IR has to be aware that “theory is always for some one, and for some purpose” to quote the famous line of Robert Cox (1981)[13]. Perhaps as the international society develops, there will be a shift away from Eurocentrism and greater attention will be given to thinkers from the non-Western world. Then we will be able to appreciate the fuller picture and move beyond particularistic beliefs and interests.

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[1] Thucydides, Warner, R. and Finley, M. (1972). History of the Peloponnesian War. Harmondsworth, Eng.: Penguin Books.

[2] Waltz, K. (1979). Theory of international politics. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.

[3] Gilpin, R. (1988). The Theory of Hegemonic War. Journal of Interdisciplinary History, 18(4).

[4] Hobbes, T. and Gaskin, J. (1998). Leviathan. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[5] Brown, C., Nardin, T. and Rengger, N. (2002). International relations in political thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press..

[6] Baylis, J. and Smith, S. (2001). The globalization of world politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[7] http://www.un.org/en/sections/un-charter/chapter-v/index.html

[8] Financial Times, (2014). Big three credit rating agencies under fire - FT.com. [online] Available at: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4140e388-cfc1-11e3-9b2b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3tS069MdX

[9] Linklater A., (2010), The English School Conception of International Society: Reflections on Western and non-Western Perspectives, The International Studies Association of Ritsumeikan University: Ritsumeikan Annual Review of International Studies, 2010. ISSN 1347-8214. Vol.9

[10] Doyle M., (1983) Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs, Blackwell Publishing

[11] Brown, C., Nardin, T. and Rengger, N. (2002). International relations in political thought. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

[12] Foreign Affairs, (2009). Iraq and the Democratic Peace. Available at: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2005-11-01/iraq-and-democratic-peace

[13] Robert W. Cox (1981) ‘Social Forces, States and World Orders: Beyond International Relations Theory’, Millennium – Journal of International Studies , 10(126)

From the Dam with love

After years of bouncing around Europe,  I'm back where it all began. I guess that in order to

appreciate particular places, you need to get there at the right time. I left Amsterdam as a very young adult, here I am now, almost 10 years later,  much wiser and loving every moment of my life here. 

As I was sipping a glass of chardonnay at T Smalle, an authentic little restaurant sitting right on the canal, I met a Canadian couple, who have been coming to Europe each year for the past decade. I asked them which was their favorite city and they said: "So far - Amsterdam". And you know what, I think I agree with them. 

If you haven't been to the "Dam" yet, make sure you rectify this mistake soon and pray for good weather. Even if you don't love it at first, slowly the intoxicating atmosphere will captivate you.

Amsterdam has become the focal point of a cool young crowd, the weather has been fantastic lately, the bistros are full of people and the city has never been so vibrant. Being the smaller cousin of London and Paris, Amsterdam is the good child. It has everything you need without the pressure of a huge metropolis. And if you ever find yourself missing the pressure, it's just a short train/plane ride away. Meanwhile, enjoy the laid-back swag of the Dam. Other than the suicidal bike-riders, everything seems to run at a slower pace, so grab a cone of fries and get going.

If you ever come to town, hit the cool little stores along the canals and visit some of the bars that have been working since the 17th century. History clashes with modernity and it comes alive in exciting new ways. Make sure you get to experience this and don't waste too much time waiting in line for Madame Tussauds.

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How to Wear Pastels in Winter

Originally written for Bitchy Online UK
Our shoes are still full of sand yet fully aware that summer is fading away, we are already dreading the inevitable frosty weather. While the shades of gray may be predominant outside, these need not be reflected in our wardrobes. Fashion dictates that color is not exclusive to warmer months, it can easility transition to winter however the focus is on delicate soft shades – namely pastel hues. Fashion powerhouses such as Burberry Prorsum, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana (to a name but a few) have all embraced the tender color palette. 

Whether you opt for lavender, butter mint or blush pink, pastels are a breath of fresh air during the cold season and guaranteed to make a sweet feminine statement. Being a city girl with an edge doesn't mean that you should fully suppress your delicate side. You are not sure whether this trend is the right fit for you? Fear not, pastels are open to personal interpretation. You can brave an all-out pastel outfit, be it monochrome or a delicate combo, or you can mix pastels with more conventional autumn/winter colors; you can pump up your neutrals with a touch of candy and you can lighten the harsh layers. Add an oversized pastel coat to an all-black outfit and you are ready to hit the streets radiating warmth and happiness.

If, like me, you are tired of wearing dark colors during winter, you can pair your pastels with …. more pastels or nudes and the end result will provide a wonderful contrast to the bitter weather outside! When it comes to pastels, like anything else, you have to find the perfect balance and style your outfit carefully. Since your goal is to shine on the street and not snuggle in a baby nursery, you may want to avoid too literal interpretations of the trend such as mixing baby blue with pink, for instance. Don't forget to accessorize - rose gold works great with this particular color palette!  

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A day at the beach

Originally Written for  Bitchy Online UK


Hello, August!

After months of working hard, it's the peak of the most glorious of seasons and time to play hard. Sensible people might argue that it's too late for investing in new beachwear but we believe that reinventing your wardrobe is always a good idea.

Beach time is the immediate association that pops in mind while thinking of summer. It's this precious time of the year when we soak up the sun, countless mojito cocktails and perhaps the longing gazes of half-naked strangers.

Whether you are lazying it out on a yacht near the French riviera , building sand-castles with your little nephews, or anything in between, the opportunities to look fabulous are endless. You can undress yourself in a million ways and let your point of view shine. Whether you brave a one-piece or opt for the safe bandeau bikini, remember that attention to detail here is as important as anywhere. Clever accessorizing can add versatility to your look, to ease the transition from sunbathing to evening cocktails at the beach. Add a pair of hand crafted sunglasses and a straw hat and there you have it – an instagram-worthy outfit.

The beach is the ultimate summer runway however it's one of the fun variety. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your playful side so arm yourself with a colorful towel and a few inflatable animals before you venture outside. 
Since we are spoiled for choice, don't feel bad if you can't make up your mind about your beach essentials. Inspiration is found everywhere and if the turquoise waters, powdery sand and palm trees can't inspire your wardrobe enough, you can always sneak a peak at the instagram accounts of our favorite it girls for some quirky ideas.

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Island Adventures

Another trip has come to an end. It is bitter sweet that travelling phenomenon, there's always something you'll miss forever once you leave yet another place. 

I can't deny, after another marathon of driving car rentals,running through airports and sleeping on questionable hotel sheets, I appreciate being back to the comfort of our faithful Merc, couch and the barking of an easily excitable pug. 

This trip was extra special because it involved going back to Greece, which had become my homeland for the duration of the past decade. I stand firm in my belief that "home" is a matter of choice and for me this land of sun, sea аnd scattered vegetation certainly qualifies as such.

Even though I've lived in Greece for years, there's always something new to see and another island to explore. 

This time we drove to Athens, which is quite a journey in itself, involving a 1000-km-trip, crossing the entire country. There are dangerous turns and marvelous views of the sea, simply put, I'd recommend this journey to a friend. 

I have to admit, Athens may be the cradle of Western civilization but it's not among my favorite cities. Nevertheless, there is a good reason I love to go back to Athens: F-O-O-D! My favorite little restaurant, Sardelaki, is right there, in the heart of Glyfada. I guess I'm growing wise (sounds better than old), since food is a top priority of mine and culinary tourism is always on top of my list. If you are ever in town, stop by for possibly the best sardines you'll ever taste. 

As you can imagine, I didn't drive for 1000 kilometers  just for the sardines, as good as they were. Athens was just a brief stop on the way to the strangest place I've ever visited - the island of Karpathos. After an hour of flying over the Mediterranean, we reached a windy island, devoid of vegetation, blessed (or cursed) with an unique topography.
This is an odd place where the main inhabitants seem to be cats and goats. There is so little going on, time is standing still (or least it's passing really really slowly). If I had to come up with a single-word definition of a "traditional Greek island", I'd say "Karpathos".

Navigating Karpathos is a challenge even for the most experienced drivers. Greeks aren't famous for being too safety cautious and this is evident in the picturesque yet dangerous roads, carved along the cliffs that encompass the entire island. I'd attribute the relative lack of accidents only to its minuscule population size (just above 6000 inhabitants) and its remote location, which discourages the less adventures traveler.

I was sad to leave this strange place and I'd love to return, despite my resolution not to repeat destinations. Karpathos is certainly not for everyone. Somehow the surrounding sea has shielded the island from the outside world. There is little trace of the modern industrial civilization, restaurants are family-run, their products are home-grown or they rely on  the catch of the day to feed their customers. You can drive for quite some time, without meeting another vehicle, without meeting a soul, actually (if you don't count the goats that roam the cliffs).
Gazing at the dramatic lunar paysage, offset by the sea, which shimmers in million shades of blue, you may find yourself engulfed in purifying solitude. This tiny self-contained cosmos may be just an hour away from the bustling Athenian metropolis but it resembles nothing familiar. For this reason you may love it or hate but it won't leave you indifferent.

 

      

 








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Bring on the gingham!

With the coming of spring, gingham has taken over the spotlight and ended the reign of plaids.

The charming checked prints may invoke countryside connotations but this need not be the case anymore. Major household names from Derek Lam to House of Holland to Balmain have revamped this timeless classic and turned it into the new stripe.

History serves to prove the versatility of gingham. We can channel the sweet innocent “Americana” from the Wizard of Oz or better yet – the untempered sex appeal of Bridget Bardot. Actually, her look with a full skirt, paired with neutral black and flats couldn't be more time appropriate today. Perhaps due to this latter reference, gingham is reminiscent of Parisian chic and a taste of summer.

Forget the associations with picnic, table cloths and boarding schools. The new gingham with exaggerated prints in fresh colors has a modern touch to it, with just the right amount of nostalgia for the glorious 50s and 60s. It has certainly gone trough a fashion makeover since Dorothy but it has retained its youthful DNA. Trend setters such as Olivia Palermo and January Jones rock the retro vibe in a modern cool-girl-way.

Gingham comes with an additional advantage – you can find it on everything. If you are not sure whether this trend is for you, you can still enjoy a fashion moment with gingham espadrilles, a purse or even sunglasses – the opportunities are endless. I however am on full on gingham mode and prefer to dive into the trend with cool separates – from t-shirts and bomber jackets to full skirts and pants. Served in the right amount, the cross-hatched lines will take you to the streets of a bustling metropolis, rather than to Kansas or rural France.

Gingham prints can be small-scaled of exaggerated. The former is easier to style because it blends from afar. The larger print is certainly more out there and represents a challenge but also an opportunity to truly flash your styling credentials. Pair it with a solid color or be bold and add … more gingham, channel the S/S runways and mix patterns.

It is time to de-minimalise your wardrobe. If you can overcome the associations with school uniforms, you are free to experiment with gingham and let your unique personal style shine trough the checkered print.

p.s. This is straight out of Bitchy Online UK:  it's a great new London-based online magazine. You can find the original article here.

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Hipster Alert: Illesteva sunglasses

Summer mode is fully activated and if you haven't already invested in a cool pair of shades, there is no better time to do so. Even if you have, your eyes will probably appreciate some extra coverage, especially if it happens to be fresh, edgy and ready for some serious beach fun. So do yourself a favor and check out Illesteva.

Designed in hipster paradise NYC and handcrafted in Italy and France, Illesteva are on par with other luxury brands but they are...better. With only 50,000 instagram followers, they belong to a relatively unexplored territory. There was never a better opportunity to make a fashion statement with your shades. Sunglasses, are normally quite conventional, after all, how much imagination can you fit in something so tiny, yet somehow Illesteva manage to push boundaries.

If you are a jet-setter, gearing up for Ibiza or still contemplating Coachella, you've probably heard of them anyways and I am a few years too late.

Illesteva was founded in 2009 by the New York-based designer duo Daniel Silberman and Jus Ske. Drawing inspiration from their downtown environment and background in design, music and photography, they create pieces that are the epitome of contemporary edge. The duo experiment with funky shapes and materials like acetate, bamboo, titanium and natural buffalo horn. This combination ensures a timeless result that you may enjoy forever, provided you keep them in their leather hard case.

Illesteva is already gathering a fateful fan crowd, celebrity enthusiasts include Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry and own very own Alexa Chung, just to name a few. You can find them online at illesteva.com and thank me later.

p.s this little article got published in Bitchy Online UK - a really cool new online managize, which is intended as an entirely girly zone. Check it out! The original article is here

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