What line of reasoning does the Geneva Convention and international law use to illegitimate the use of mercenaries in war? [more inside]
posted by ageispolis on Jul 10, 2009 - 19 answers

Can you ID these short stories and help me find them? I think there were at least two, they were written by Keith Laumer, and they appeared in a paperback IF anthology that I can't find. They are about the right of revolution (one may be titled something like that) and take place on a mining colony on another planet. I think the first is about the miners who revolt and are led by an Ayn-Rand-character-like person (his name is John Ralt or something). The second is about the 'ARcl' person who is now in charge and must deal with dissenters who contest his moral and political authority. And were there any more stories in this vein, or just two?
posted by Mr. Justice on Jul 8, 2009 - 5 answers

Who were these "celebrated authors" James Madison was referring to in The Federalist Paper No. 14? [more inside]
posted by Myles on Jun 15, 2009 - 8 answers

What single book presents the most forceful argument against both Randian Objectivism and the libertarian political philosophy that presents itself (in some ways, at least) as having followed naturally from Rand's ideas? [more inside]
posted by killdevil on May 11, 2009 - 28 answers

Which books comprise the canon of libertarian philosophy? [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Jan 5, 2009 - 23 answers

How do I pronounce POGGE? [more inside]
posted by verisimilitude on Apr 16, 2008 - 9 answers

Are there any good academic papers out there applying political theory and philosophy to the moderation of online forums? Also interested in recommendations of papers on moderation in online forums in general. [more inside]
posted by klangklangston on Feb 8, 2007 - 8 answers

Explain Foucault to me like I was a 10 year old. [more inside]
posted by trinarian on Sep 16, 2006 - 24 answers

What literary, philosophical works, or films deal with a person's attempt to figure out whether he should put up resistance against government-sanctioned persecution of minorities or dissidents at the price of his own personal well-being or whether he should comply with the persecution to ensure his own safety?
posted by gregb1007 on Apr 12, 2006 - 35 answers

With last nights government defeat in the House of Commons and the resultant hand-wringing on both sides of the 'civil-liberties vs security' debate, the quote that has been trotted out repeatedly is "Well if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear". Could anyone shed any light on the origin of this phrase? [more inside]
posted by mr_benn on Nov 9, 2005 - 15 answers