Two of the richest people in the world, the Koch brothers have long helped shape the conservative arena of American politics. Going into the 2016 presidential race, they’ve recently announced that the political action network that they’re backing is going to spend 889 million dollars in the run-up to the
By UPF Webzine
Africa/Articles/Conflict/Democracy/Freedom of Speech/Human Rights/Security/Uncategorized
The Development of Boko Haram – An Unstoppable Force?
The origin of the organisation that is today known and feared as Boko Haram was a clash between moderate and militant islamic teachings at the Mahammadu Ndimi Mosque in Northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram’s former leader and founder, Mohammed Yusuf, was a preacher at the mosque, well known for both his
Popular Populism – The Success of Populist Parties Explained
Populism has existed since the dawn of politics and many historical consequences – ‘good’ and ‘bad’ – have been ascribed to it. Presently, Europe is experiencing a surge of popularity towards populist parties, often dubbed right-wing, which in turn leaves conventional parties struggling to remain in power. Ideology aside, the
Stumbling Towards a Brexit?
A referendum about the UK’s exit from the EU was proposed by a prime minister positive towards membership, backed by a party supporting membership and made more likely by international politicians wanting to keep the UK in the EU. Is Britain and the EU accidentally being pushed apart? The European
By UPF Webzine
Articles/Conflict/Democracy/EU/Europe/Health/International Relations/Security/Uncategorized
A Palestinian State: “To Be or Not To Be?”
On October 30, Sweden officially recognized the state of Palestine, becoming the first European country to do so and joining the 134 countries, mainly from the developing world that already recognized Palestine since its proclamation in Algiers in 1988. More than a symbolic step towards the Palestinian people, the Swedish
Burkina Faso revolution; The land of upright men on the road to democracy
As a landlocked country with few natural resources, the West African nation of Burkina Faso has struggled in many aspects since its independence from France in 1960. Political turmoil characterized Burkina Faso in its early years of independence. Although the nation has been relatively stable since the 1980s, this October