The European Union (often shortened to the E.U.) is a political and economic union of 28 member states in Europe.
The E.U’s origins date back to a drive towards greater European integration after World War 2, to safeguard against the extreme forms of nationalism that devastated the continent during that conflict. The European Economic Community (EEC) formed in the 1950s between France, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany with an aim to bring about economic integration and a common market (the first move towards an eventual single market). Continue reading Chapter 27: European Union→
We landed here from the ‘World Government’ adventure in Chapter 13 and the increasing move towards global federalism. The African Union (often shortened to the A.U.) is currently made up of 54 African member states (the only state not a full member is Morocco, although as at January 2015 the Central African Republic remains suspended). The A.U came into effect in July 2002, replacing predecessor body the Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U.) and its establishment is seen as a significant move towards an eventual full union of African states. Continue reading Chapter 26: African Union→
Judaism is the original Abrahamic religion that spawned both Christianity and Islam. The term Judaism, however, means more than just that, encompassing not only the religion but also the ethnicity, philosophy and way of life of the Jewish people. Understanding Judaism can be a pretty confusing topic to the outside observer (indeed, failure to do so has led to centuries of resentment and mistrust), so strap in and we’ll try to get to grips with it. Continue reading Chapter 25: Judaism→
Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. Located in the Middle East between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, the city is considered holy to all three of the major Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam – and it remains the most contentious city on the planet to this day. Jewish Israelis and Arab Palestinians both claim Jerusalem as their capital; however, neither of these claims are widely recognized internationally. During its long history, Jerusalem has been completely destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. It’s been quite the ride. Here’s a potted history: Continue reading Chapter 24: Jerusalem→
Islam is a one of the world’s three main Abrahamic Religions (monotheistic religions that believe in only one God and can each trace their origins back to the figure of Abraham), the other two being Judaism and Christianity. Islam is articulated primarily through the Qur’an, a holy book considered by Muslims (adherents of Islam) to be the literal word of Allah (God).
Muslims believe the meaning of human life is to worship God and that Islam is the complete and final version of a faith that was revealed to man earlier – through religious prophets such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus – but that these earlier messages from God (expressed in religious works such as the Jewish Torah and Christian Gospels) had become misinterpreted or had their message altered by human error over time. Continue reading Chapter 23: Islam→
The Moon is Planet Earth’s only natural orbiting satellite. It’s about a quarter of the size of Earth and is in synchronous rotation with us, meaning from Earth we always see the same one side of it. The near-side that we see is marked both by dark volcanic maria (plains of solidified ancient lava) and bright crustal impact craters. Although the Moon’s surface is naturally dark, it appears bright because the regolith (layers of surface dust) reflect the Sun’s light. The Moon’s gravitational influence on Earth’s water as it orbits produces our ocean tides. Continue reading Chapter 22: Moon→
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), commonly known by his initials J.F.K., served as the American President from January 1961 until he was assassinated in November 1963. At age 43, he was the youngest man to have been elected U.S President and is feted to this day for his idealistic vision of what America and the world could at their best aspire to. His entry in the World Peace Adventure jigsaw perhaps seems like a niche inclusion, but after visiting his Presidential Library and Museum in Boston and his memorial at Arlington Cemetery, I was convinced that (from a western perspective at least) there have been few more inspirational figures than J.F.K. in terms of tilting at the world peace windmill over the past 100 years. Continue reading Chapter 21: John F. Kennedy→
The Environmental Movement has become a blanket term incorporating a diverse range of scientific, social, and political movements that address environmental issues. Environmentalists (activists within the movement) lobby for the sustainable management of natural resources and taking care of our natural environment, both through changes in public policy and changes in individual behaviour. The Environmental Movement has become, relatively quickly, a significant international movement represented by a huge range of organizations and interests. Continue reading Chapter 20: Environmental Movement→
Mujahideen is a blanket term used to describe Muslims struggling or striving in the path of Allah. The term literally means ‘strugglers’, coming from the same Arabic root as the word jihad (“struggle”). Its origins can be traced back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, where those who helped him in battle were known as muhajirs. The term Mujahideen, however, has become most closely associated in the west in recent times with violent radical Islamic militant groups and struggles. Continue reading Chapter 19: Mujahideen→
Communism is the vision of a social and economic system based on common ownership of the means of production, a society where everyone ‘pitches in’ for the common good and doesn’t compete against each other. The Communist vision is characterised by a theoretical absence of social division, scarcity, oppression, nationalism, money, religion, government or even countries – a world where individuals voluntarily contribute all that they can while taking only what they need. Attempts to develop Communism from an ideal to a practical reality significantly influenced the history of the 20th century and produced intense ideological rivalry between the Communist states in the so-called Eastern bloc and the Capitalist states of the Western world. Continue reading Chapter 18: Communism→
