Author: Robert Skidelsky

Economist and member of the House of Lords

The Case for Nordic and NATO Realism

~ Robert Skidelsky

To be a realist in international relations is to accept that some states are more sovereign than others. “Strict realism” now requires that Sweden and Finland pause before rushing into NATO’s arms, and that the Alliance take a step back before accepting them. LONDON – Finland and Sweden have announced that they will apply for NATO membership. But joining … Continue reading The Case for Nordic and NATO Realism

The False Promise of Democratic Peace

~ Robert Skidelsky

Clinging to the assumption that only dictatorships start military conflicts, proponents of democratization believed that the global success of their project would usher in a world without war. But this theory lacks a sound foundation and has produced one disaster after another when put into practice. LONDON – Through persuasion, exhortation, legal processes, economic pressure, … Continue reading The False Promise of Democratic Peace

Queen’s Speech on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

~ Robert Skidelsky

My Lords, I find myself in profound disagreement with the Government’s war strategy in Ukraine and, in fact, with almost everything that has been said about Ukraine in this debate. I will try to explain why. British policy aims for a Russian military defeat, which it will help to bring about by economic sanctions and … Continue reading Queen’s Speech on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Economic Sanctions: A Weapon out of Control?

~ Robert Skidelsky

Economic Sanctions: A Weapon out of Control? By Robert Skidelsky  Centre For Global Studies, April 2022 Copyright: Centre for Global Studies.  The Centre for Global Studies is a London-based think-tank that aims to improve public understanding of economics and global policy. The Centre is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. It is … Continue reading Economic Sanctions: A Weapon out of Control?

Times letters: The tough act of following Cressida Dick

~ Robert Skidelsky

UKRAINE DIPLOMACY Sir, In discussing the possible “Finlandisation” of Ukraine, your leading article (“Kyiv’s Cause”, Feb 11) correctly states that it would unacceptable for great powers to enforce such a policy on Ukraine. In his brilliant book The Ambassadors, Sir Robert Cooper explains that Finland’s neutrality was not “enforced” by great powers but was decided by … Continue reading Times letters: The tough act of following Cressida Dick

Exchange of the week: Did the West create the monster?

~ Robert Skidelsky

To the Financial Times Martin Wolf is right to say that Vladimir Putin has ignited an indefensible war against Ukraine. That it is worse than a crime is highlighted by your report on Kharkiv, described as "another Stalingrad". You do not call Ukrainians your brothers then bomb them into submission. Whatever the war's immediate results, … Continue reading Exchange of the week: Did the West create the monster?

The Future of Work: Is Artificial Intelligence a New Road to Serfdom?

~ Robert Skidelsky

Lecture and Discussion with Lord Robert Skidelsky Lord Robert Skidelsky has given a lecture at the Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen (IWM) on Tuesday, 15 March 2022, 18:00 CET in Vienna. In contemporary discussions about the future of artificial intelligence we often lose our heads. While economists offer bleak predictions of mass job losses … Continue reading The Future of Work: Is Artificial Intelligence a New Road to Serfdom?

Ukraine: Refugees – House of Lords Questions

~ Robert Skidelsky

Lord Skidelsky: My Lords, in addition to the help that the Government are giving to Ukrainians to come to this country, will they consider offering humanitarian visas to those brave Russians—members of the clergy, members of civil society, academics, journalists and ordinary citizens—who face long prison sentences for exercising their democratic right to oppose this … Continue reading Ukraine: Refugees – House of Lords Questions