Magazine

Our special focus this time is on Nuclear Deterrence. Is the threat of mutual destruction truly what keeps the peace? This issue brings together a rich array of perspectives from an Interdisciplinary Symposium on Nuclear Disarmament, hosted by the University of Bradford. With contributions spanning political science, philosophy, history, security studies, and activism, we explore the myths, realities, and urgent questions surrounding nuclear deterrence in today’s volatile world.

In this issue, we explore the theme of Women and Peace. Are women inherently more peaceful than men? Drawing on history, science, literature, and contemporary discourse, we unpack this multifaceted question.

The ethics of conscription take centre stage in this issue. The prospect of compulsory military service is resurfacing in Europe, precisely at a time when our collective aversion to violence has undermined the willingness to serve or fight. We explore the irrationality and immorality of war and, through historical and ethical perspectives, we examine the tension between civic duty and the rejection of conflict.

Inspired by Diogenes the Cynic, who famously wandered with a lamp in search of a ‘genuine person,’ this issue shines a critical light on humanity itself. Are we worthwhile as a species? Can we justify our place on this planet? Or are we, as some suggest, a destructive force in nature’s delicate balance? This issue wrestles with questions of human worth and our role in the universe.