Mark Kilényi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Mark Kilényi
The role of emotions in politics, 2018
In recounting historic future-defining events of the French Revolution, World Wars, or even conte... more In recounting historic future-defining events of the French Revolution, World Wars, or even contemporary developments of the Trump campaign and Brexit, one cannot help but notice a persistent, intense presence of emotions during the evolution of worldwide politics. As “guests who were invited late to the banquet of history” (Nagy and Boquet, 2008, p.16) emotions have been traditionally under-appreciated often unrecognised in political thought, even though components of the universal political toolbox including strategic communication, the nomic nexus, and complex power relations all either subconsciously encompassing or relying upon their intricate mechanics. Theories of dissonant duality between emotions and rationality have been echoed by early thinkers- Plato’s pessimism regarding humans as irrational beings bearing egoistic passions declares fear of punishment as necessary for obedience (1969, 359a); Aristotle’s notion of the virtuous citizen is one who’s rational assessments and emotional responses “speak with the same voice” (1984, p.14). Even though the scepticism regarding emotion-influenced decision making in politics has become a prominent cliché, in addressing the question of why pluralist democracies have been able to strive and succeed over past failed systems scholars asserted it is precisely due to their unique ability to manage social emotions, and to use them wisely without suffocation (Kiss, 2013, p.15) (Braud, 1991). Consonant views add that harmony in pluralism in fact depends on the cultivation of some emotions and outlawing others shaping patterns of action: such a system being central to the actualisation of a standard of equality as coercion alone would fail to succeed (James, 2006, p.232). The following essay will seek to assess relations of politics and emotion, contending that not only can passions aid the maintenance of a peaceful civil discourse, they also fuel the engine of social change. In contrast I hypothesise that while a cognitive component of emotions may allow for restraint and cultivation to burgeon social progress, it can also be exploited to mislead or manipulate by the state, thus caution must be exercised and vulnerabilities addressed through education, and the independence of channels able to influence cognition.
The following essay begins to outline its argument by providing a historic context on the nature ... more The following essay begins to outline its argument by providing a historic context on the nature of American Foreign Policy during the cold war, leading up to the collapse of the USSR during the early presidency of George H. W. Bush. It exerts that America’s long conflict with the Soviet Union grew of such significance overtime that the USSR’s failure necessitated a fresh strategical approach regarding America’s relationship with and role in the international arena. The United States recognized its unipolarity as an outstanding opportunity of influence through world leadership- the essay draws in a series of different sources to argue that the pursuit of the Gulf War was in part a trial of Bush’s New World Order, motivated by an intention of global leadership maintenance through strategical integration.
The following essay seeks to examine the legality of targeted killing within domains of Law Enfor... more The following essay seeks to examine the legality of targeted killing within domains of Law Enforcement and Just War theory. It concludes that the practice seems to fail to satisfy their criteria in both paradigms however notes that Law Enforcement laws seem idealistic in assuming justice can be executed on foreign grounds, while the armed conflict domain fails to characterise terrorists as combatants due to the assumption that they visually distinguish themselves at all times. Ultimately I seek to justify targeted killings inspired by Walzer’s consequentialist theory of ‘Dirty Hands’, yet assert that while America has used technology showing moral compliance with aspects of distinction and proportionality, the process remains imperfect and may contain hidden hazards. Overall, I suggest to combine targeted killings with targeting socio-economic factors fuelling terrorism to eliminate such with increased efficiency.
The essay beings by outlining the context in which nuclear weapons emerged. Using Melville’s Nuc... more The essay beings by outlining the context in which nuclear weapons emerged. Using Melville’s Nuclear Revolution Theory it presents the viewpoint that nuclear weapons have contributed to a change in strategic thinking and international diplomatic discourse. The essay argues that nuclear weapons changed the meaning of war, victory losing its former meaning not only due to their effects on humanity and nature, but adversary states’ second strike capability leading to MAD. Deterrence may seem logical in theory- practice shows different. The essay explores the questionable reliability of the human element in control of nuclear weapons, as well as some systems designed for their use. Furthermore its normative implications, as well as the underlying assumptions of rationality necessary for deterrence- all elements which can be contested to argue nuclear weapons will not guarantee either security, safety or peace long term, in fact are more likely to lead to disaster.
The role of emotions in politics, 2018
In recounting historic future-defining events of the French Revolution, World Wars, or even conte... more In recounting historic future-defining events of the French Revolution, World Wars, or even contemporary developments of the Trump campaign and Brexit, one cannot help but notice a persistent, intense presence of emotions during the evolution of worldwide politics. As “guests who were invited late to the banquet of history” (Nagy and Boquet, 2008, p.16) emotions have been traditionally under-appreciated often unrecognised in political thought, even though components of the universal political toolbox including strategic communication, the nomic nexus, and complex power relations all either subconsciously encompassing or relying upon their intricate mechanics. Theories of dissonant duality between emotions and rationality have been echoed by early thinkers- Plato’s pessimism regarding humans as irrational beings bearing egoistic passions declares fear of punishment as necessary for obedience (1969, 359a); Aristotle’s notion of the virtuous citizen is one who’s rational assessments and emotional responses “speak with the same voice” (1984, p.14). Even though the scepticism regarding emotion-influenced decision making in politics has become a prominent cliché, in addressing the question of why pluralist democracies have been able to strive and succeed over past failed systems scholars asserted it is precisely due to their unique ability to manage social emotions, and to use them wisely without suffocation (Kiss, 2013, p.15) (Braud, 1991). Consonant views add that harmony in pluralism in fact depends on the cultivation of some emotions and outlawing others shaping patterns of action: such a system being central to the actualisation of a standard of equality as coercion alone would fail to succeed (James, 2006, p.232). The following essay will seek to assess relations of politics and emotion, contending that not only can passions aid the maintenance of a peaceful civil discourse, they also fuel the engine of social change. In contrast I hypothesise that while a cognitive component of emotions may allow for restraint and cultivation to burgeon social progress, it can also be exploited to mislead or manipulate by the state, thus caution must be exercised and vulnerabilities addressed through education, and the independence of channels able to influence cognition.
The following essay begins to outline its argument by providing a historic context on the nature ... more The following essay begins to outline its argument by providing a historic context on the nature of American Foreign Policy during the cold war, leading up to the collapse of the USSR during the early presidency of George H. W. Bush. It exerts that America’s long conflict with the Soviet Union grew of such significance overtime that the USSR’s failure necessitated a fresh strategical approach regarding America’s relationship with and role in the international arena. The United States recognized its unipolarity as an outstanding opportunity of influence through world leadership- the essay draws in a series of different sources to argue that the pursuit of the Gulf War was in part a trial of Bush’s New World Order, motivated by an intention of global leadership maintenance through strategical integration.
The following essay seeks to examine the legality of targeted killing within domains of Law Enfor... more The following essay seeks to examine the legality of targeted killing within domains of Law Enforcement and Just War theory. It concludes that the practice seems to fail to satisfy their criteria in both paradigms however notes that Law Enforcement laws seem idealistic in assuming justice can be executed on foreign grounds, while the armed conflict domain fails to characterise terrorists as combatants due to the assumption that they visually distinguish themselves at all times. Ultimately I seek to justify targeted killings inspired by Walzer’s consequentialist theory of ‘Dirty Hands’, yet assert that while America has used technology showing moral compliance with aspects of distinction and proportionality, the process remains imperfect and may contain hidden hazards. Overall, I suggest to combine targeted killings with targeting socio-economic factors fuelling terrorism to eliminate such with increased efficiency.
The essay beings by outlining the context in which nuclear weapons emerged. Using Melville’s Nuc... more The essay beings by outlining the context in which nuclear weapons emerged. Using Melville’s Nuclear Revolution Theory it presents the viewpoint that nuclear weapons have contributed to a change in strategic thinking and international diplomatic discourse. The essay argues that nuclear weapons changed the meaning of war, victory losing its former meaning not only due to their effects on humanity and nature, but adversary states’ second strike capability leading to MAD. Deterrence may seem logical in theory- practice shows different. The essay explores the questionable reliability of the human element in control of nuclear weapons, as well as some systems designed for their use. Furthermore its normative implications, as well as the underlying assumptions of rationality necessary for deterrence- all elements which can be contested to argue nuclear weapons will not guarantee either security, safety or peace long term, in fact are more likely to lead to disaster.