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Papers by Henry Lim

This policy paper argues that Singapore should (continue to) pursue FTAs for the following reason... more This policy paper argues that Singapore should (continue to) pursue FTAs for the following reasons: 1) Given the current international trading system, abrogating FTAs is unrealistic and detrimental to Singapore’s trade objectives 2) Singapore can achieve her economic and political objectives quicker and more comprehensively through FTAs than current WTO frameworks.
However, it is imperative that Singapore is steadfast in only pursuing FTAs that are compliant to WTO regulations. Particularly, these FTAs must behave as “WTO-Pluses” and not “WTO-Substitutes”.

This paper argues that much of the problems facing global mitigation mechanisms against climate c... more This paper argues that much of the problems facing global mitigation mechanisms against climate change are derived from contrasting ethical and moral positions on the main issue of responsibility. Specifically, these competing attitudes handicap the fulfillment of any promises and commitments to combating anthropogenic climate change. Additionally, this paper suggests that successful mitigation mechanisms ultimately need to be founded on an individual responsibility, morality and respect for nature.

I argue that states as a whole are not less sovereign (at least not yet) because most states (mor... more I argue that states as a whole are not less sovereign (at least not yet) because most states (more importantly) continue to practice state sovereignty despite the seeming erosion of formal sovereignty. Moreover, to the extent that globalization does affect state sovereignty, it largely affects how states practice and understand sovereignty, not whether states are actually able practice sovereignty or not.

This paper first contends that Pastafarianism is a modern interpretation and appropriation of car... more This paper first contends that Pastafarianism is a modern interpretation and appropriation of carnivalesque elements rather than a definitive illustration of the Bakhtinian carnival. More significantly, this paper will argue that the inherent performer-spectator divide within the movement does not impede the cause of Pastafarianism. In fact, when examined under Bertolt Brecht’s theatrical strategy of Verfremdungseffekt (artistic distantiation), an estrangement between performer and spectator appears crucial to Pastafarianism’s ability to effect any socio-political change.

This paper argues that director Dutilleux, while well intentioned, does not actually fight for th... more This paper argues that director Dutilleux, while well intentioned, does not actually fight for the preservation of the Toulambi community. In truth, he is fighting for the rights of an inaccurate and dehumanizing construct of the Toulambi identity.

This paper argues that democracy only has a small importance for the absence of inter-state wars ... more This paper argues that democracy only has a small importance for the absence of inter-state wars as there are severe limitations to democratic peace theory and also because democracy is often subordinate to more important reasons why democracies do not go to war. Moreover, it is clear that in many cases, democracy plays little to no role in the absence of interstate wars.

This essay contends that the film’s political significance exists primarily in its nuanced unders... more This essay contends that the film’s political significance exists primarily in its nuanced understanding and unique presentation of Germany’s journey towards national reunification. In this endeavor, Becker’s film succeeds in both reflecting and invigorating a wave of greater cultural as well as political dialogue within Germany. As such, one may view the film as a valuable socio-political instrument contributing to the country’s ongoing process of national reconciliation.

Book Reviews by Henry Lim

This policy paper argues that Singapore should (continue to) pursue FTAs for the following reason... more This policy paper argues that Singapore should (continue to) pursue FTAs for the following reasons: 1) Given the current international trading system, abrogating FTAs is unrealistic and detrimental to Singapore’s trade objectives 2) Singapore can achieve her economic and political objectives quicker and more comprehensively through FTAs than current WTO frameworks.
However, it is imperative that Singapore is steadfast in only pursuing FTAs that are compliant to WTO regulations. Particularly, these FTAs must behave as “WTO-Pluses” and not “WTO-Substitutes”.

This paper argues that much of the problems facing global mitigation mechanisms against climate c... more This paper argues that much of the problems facing global mitigation mechanisms against climate change are derived from contrasting ethical and moral positions on the main issue of responsibility. Specifically, these competing attitudes handicap the fulfillment of any promises and commitments to combating anthropogenic climate change. Additionally, this paper suggests that successful mitigation mechanisms ultimately need to be founded on an individual responsibility, morality and respect for nature.

I argue that states as a whole are not less sovereign (at least not yet) because most states (mor... more I argue that states as a whole are not less sovereign (at least not yet) because most states (more importantly) continue to practice state sovereignty despite the seeming erosion of formal sovereignty. Moreover, to the extent that globalization does affect state sovereignty, it largely affects how states practice and understand sovereignty, not whether states are actually able practice sovereignty or not.

This paper first contends that Pastafarianism is a modern interpretation and appropriation of car... more This paper first contends that Pastafarianism is a modern interpretation and appropriation of carnivalesque elements rather than a definitive illustration of the Bakhtinian carnival. More significantly, this paper will argue that the inherent performer-spectator divide within the movement does not impede the cause of Pastafarianism. In fact, when examined under Bertolt Brecht’s theatrical strategy of Verfremdungseffekt (artistic distantiation), an estrangement between performer and spectator appears crucial to Pastafarianism’s ability to effect any socio-political change.

This paper argues that director Dutilleux, while well intentioned, does not actually fight for th... more This paper argues that director Dutilleux, while well intentioned, does not actually fight for the preservation of the Toulambi community. In truth, he is fighting for the rights of an inaccurate and dehumanizing construct of the Toulambi identity.

This paper argues that democracy only has a small importance for the absence of inter-state wars ... more This paper argues that democracy only has a small importance for the absence of inter-state wars as there are severe limitations to democratic peace theory and also because democracy is often subordinate to more important reasons why democracies do not go to war. Moreover, it is clear that in many cases, democracy plays little to no role in the absence of interstate wars.

This essay contends that the film’s political significance exists primarily in its nuanced unders... more This essay contends that the film’s political significance exists primarily in its nuanced understanding and unique presentation of Germany’s journey towards national reunification. In this endeavor, Becker’s film succeeds in both reflecting and invigorating a wave of greater cultural as well as political dialogue within Germany. As such, one may view the film as a valuable socio-political instrument contributing to the country’s ongoing process of national reconciliation.