Perspective Politice

Rereading Carl Schmitt – Examining His Relevance to Contemporary Indian Politics

Suparna BANERJEE — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Carl Schmitt was a prominent legal theorist during the Third Reich. His ideas contributed to the legal rationale supporting National Socialism in Germany. Two of his main concepts, which have gained renewed relevance in current political contexts increasingly shaped by majoritarian, populist, and right-wing discourse in many countries around the world, are the critique of liberal institutions and the distinction between friend and enemy in politics. India, the world’s largest democracy, has been governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, a right-wing nationalist political entity, for the past eleven years. The government has shown a growing tendency toward autocracy, leaning more towards centralization. This process is accompanied by the creation of an ‘enemy’, the Muslims, against whom the majority can rally. This paper aims to examine the relevance of Carl Schmitt in contemporary Indian politics. The aim is to focus on the process, tendencies towards centralisation and creation of enemy, to highlight the instruments that undermine democratic principles. This will be the first time that Schmitt will be explored in detail to examine the current developments in India using two of his most debated conceptualisations. The exchange of ideas between these two geo-political contexts will serve to enrich the ongoing debate on liberalism and democracy. This is particularly pertinent given the increasing popularity of their variants or deviations across a wide range of political contexts.

The Pathologies of Trumpism: A Study in Authoritarian Ideological Sources

Bogdan-George RÃDULESCU — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Trumpism is not merely a populist deviation but a postmodern ideological cocktail composed of syncretic, contradictory, and volatile fragments. This analysis aims to deconstruct this mixture by highlighting its roots, internal dynamics, and political consequences. As a post-democratic model, Trumpism shapes a sui generis form of authoritarianism in which ideologies are recycled, fragmented, and recombined to serve personalized power. Trumpism should be understood as a syncretic ideology that combines elements such as the alt-right, accelerationism, techno-fascism, and sectarian neo-Protestantism. In this article, however, I will examine two ideologues who have served as officials within the Trump administration and who advocate for a radical transformation of the constitutional architecture of the United States. We analyse this distortion through the lens of several fundamental concepts in political science: the state, the social contract, democracy, authority. Consequently, Trumpism’s ideological cocktail systematically dismantles the classical paradigms of political modernity.

Communication Rights on Hold? An Examination of the Seven-Month Ban on Twitter (X) in Nigeria

Olutobi AKINGBADE — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This article examines the seven-month ban of Twitter (now known as X) imposed by the Nigerian government in June 2021. Conceptualising the microblogging platform as a digital public sphere useful for national, regional and local conversations in Nigeria, the article discusses, among other things, how Twitter (X) was used by Nigerian youth in mobilising resistance to police brutality and misconduct in Nigeria in the year preceding the ban. Drawing on this to emphasise the broader significance of the social media platform in enabling citizens to exercise their communication rights, the article highlights the implications of the ban for communication rights, political participation, and democratic citizenship.

Hamas, from the Muslim Brotherhood, to the thirst to kill and dominate, and up to the atrocities of the October 7

Mircea-George Bucurescu — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

In this paper, I analyze the links between the ideological background from which Hamas draws its roots, part of the history preceding its conflict with Israel, the transformation that Hamas went through until its establishment as a terrorist organization, and the October 7 attack on the Israeli people, along with its immediate and long-term impact. The objective of this paper is to document responses to the following questions: What are the ideological origins of Hamas? How did Hamas transform from a social movement into a terrorist organization? Was the attack planned exclusively against the Israeli army and leadership as revenge for the history between them and Hamas? What were the methods and practices used by Hamas for this attack? This paper has an exploratory objective aiming to document a conflict with deep roots using a research method of document and content analysis.

The Transformations of the Romanian Leadership in 1965: Between Continuity and Change

Malina-Maria RINDASU — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Managing an entity, regardless of its nature – public or private – involves assuming, developing, and implementing a set of skills. The ability to mobilise staff, provide them with a clear organisational objective, and constantly evaluate their performance are all elements that fit into the role and status of the leader regarding decision-making responsibilities. In studying organisations in various sectors, researchers have identified several characteristics and differentiators, summarised in what we call “leadership styles”. Politics is a unique field in which these typologies are engaged, adapted according to internal and external contexts and variables. This paper analyses the metamorphoses of communist leadership on social life in Romania, with an exclusive focus on the significance of the year 1965. This period of transition is a landmark in the literature, due to the vision changes brought about by Nicolae Ceauºescu. The shift in emphasis from subservience to Moscow to personalist leadership gives the research a relevant comparative character. Through the application of deductive thematic analysis, the main features that define the beginning of Ceauºescu’s leadership (1965) will be highlighted, as well as the obvious contrasts with Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej’s model. The thesis will be structured in two analytical directions, using political speeches found in the Scînteia newspaper. The first is represented by the changes imposed by the new leadership structure, publicly manifested in 1965, including the contrast with the previous leadership. The second explores the implications of these changes on social life within the same time frame. The relevance of this two-way analysis is reflected in the understanding of the impact of communist leadership on the institutional and social sphere, with long-lasting effects on the collective mentality.

The Renewable Energy Transition: A New Geopolitical Game

Vittorio AMATO — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The global transition to renewable energy is not simply a shift toward a sustainable future, but a fundamental geopolitical reconfiguration. This article analyzes how this transition, while promising a decentralized energy landscape, is paradoxically built upon a new and significant concentration of power. We argue that the geopolitics of energy is being redefined, shifting from a focus on fossil fuels to an intense competition for critical minerals (lithium, cobalt, and rare earths), manufacturing of clean energy technologies, and control over transnational super-grids. The extreme geographical concentration of mineral processing in nations like China creates significant strategic vulnerabilities for importing countries, prompting them to adopt proactive industrial policies such as onshoring and friend-shoring to enhance supply chain resilience. We further examine how the development of interconnected grids presents a dual reality of both enhanced energy security and potential new dependencies, with the increasing digitalization of these networks introducing new risks, particularly from cyber warfare. The ultimate prize in this new geopolitical game, we contend, is technological leadership. We analyze the distinct innovation models of the United States, China, and the European Union, differentiating between venture capital-driven innovation, state-directed techno-nationalism, and regulation-based standard-setting. The ability to control patents and establish global standards for energy technology will ultimately decide which nations lead the global energy order for the remainder of the century, demonstrating that the new energy game is a complex struggle where physical infrastructure, digital control, and great power ambition converge.

Artificial Intelligence in Romania: Romanians’ perception of Artificial Intelligence

Roxana-Mihaela NEDELCU (ZAFIU) — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study examines the perception and usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among Romanian citizens in the context of its global expansion and increasing integration into everyday life and industrial use. With the emergence of tools such as ChatGPT, AI has become a technological development, prompting both enthusiasm and apprehension. The research aims to assess the extent to which AI influences daily decision-making processes. A quantitative research design was employed, using an online questionnaire to collect data on public attitudes of Romanians toward AI. Although the sample does not meet the requirements for population-level representativeness, the exploratory character of the study provides valuable insights, given the limited research on this topic in Romania. Findings indicate that while AI is primarily used in personal contexts, its adoption in professional and educational settings is steadily increasing. Most respondents view AI as useful while simultaneously emphasizing the need for regulation and ethical oversight. Key concerns identified include potential job displacement, the spread of misinformation, diminished critical thinking, and social isolation. Conversely, AI is recognized for its potential to enhance productivity, creativity, and administrative efficiency. The results underscore the importance of digital literacy, equitable access, and transparent governance to ensure responsible integration of AI into Romanian society. Further research into larger, more representative samples is recommended to better understand developments in AI adoption.

Navigating Regional Security Complexities: An Investigation into the Challenges of ECOWAS Collective Security Mechanisms

Dare Isaac AKINDOYIN, Gafar Idowu AYODEJI — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This paper examines the obstacles faced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in upholding collective security in the context of intricate regional threats. ECOWAS, as a regional security entity, has been instrumental in conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and crisis management throughout West Africa. Nonetheless, its security measures have considerable challenges, including as institutional deficiencies, political disparities, resource limitations, and external geopolitical factors. Adopting the regional security complex theory, the study underscores that structural inefficiencies, inconsistent execution of security measures, and constrained financial and logistical resources diminish ECOWAS’operational efficacy. The disparity in national interests among member nations frequently leads to disjointed responses to security crises, undermining the organization’s capacity for decisive action. The paper analyses the influence of external geopolitical factors, including the participation of foreign powers like France, the United States, Russia, and China, whose strategic interests occasionally clash with ECOWAS’ regional security objectives. The escalation of terrorism, insurgency, and transnational organised crime intensifies instability, as illicit arms trafficking and inadequate border controls heighten security risks. The paper conclude that for ECOWAS to augment its collective security measures, institutional reforms, enhanced intra-regional collaboration, and diminished reliance on external entities are needed. Fortifying financial autonomy, augmenting intelligence-sharing, and cultivating more self-sufficient security frameworks will be essential for enduring stability. By tackling these structural and geopolitical problems, ECOWAS can enhance its resilience and efficacy in navigating the evolving security situation of West Africa.

Symbolic Rules and Strategic Practices: Intra-Party Democracy in Romanian Mainstream and Anti-System Parties

Iulia-Marilena SBÂRCEA — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This paper investigates the degree and quality of intra-party democracy (IPD) in four major Romanian political parties – Partidul Social Democrat (PSD), Partidul Naþional Liberal (PNL), Uniunea Salvaþi România (USR), and Alianþa pentru Unirea Românilor (AUR) – over the period 2014–2024. Although political parties remain essential institutions of representative democracy, they are increasingly criticized for declining legitimacy, limited participation, and excessive centralization. Building on comparative theories of party organization and change (Janda, Harmel & Janda, Panebianco, Poguntke, von dem Berge), the study approaches parties as complex organizations whose internal structures and decision-making processes directly affect democratic consolidation. The research employs a mixed qualitative–comparative methodology, combining content analysis of party statutes with a coding scheme that evaluates three main dimensions of intra-party democracy: participation, competitiveness, and transparency/responsibility. Findings reveal significant discrepancies between formal democratic provisions and actual practices, with mainstream parties (PSD, PNL) displaying extensive institutionalization but strong centralization, while newer anti-system parties (USR, AUR) adopt more selective or symbolic democratic norms. The analysis also shows how external shocks – such as electoral defeats, leadership turnovers, or institutional reforms – interact with internal power dynamics to shape organizational change. Overall, the study argues that intraparty democracy in Romania often functions as a rationalized myth: a set of formalized rules used to project legitimacy rather than to enable substantive member participation. By providing both a theoretical and methodological contribution, this work enhances understanding of the organizational underpinnings of party politics in post-communist democracies.