Welcome to my blog! Every week or so, I post an article on something involving wicked problems in peacebuilding or comparative politics. I define those fields very broadly, so you’ll probably be surprised by some of the topics I end up covering.

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Recent Posts

Peacebuilding Starts at Home

February 26th, 2024|Comments Off on Peacebuilding Starts at Home

The Alliance for Peacebuilding is pleased to announce the launch of the Peacebuilding Starts at Home initiatiave.

Devin Thorpe

February 12th, 2024|Comments Off on Devin Thorpe

This is the third in a series of posts on new people and organizations I've met since the pandemic began. This time, Devin Thorpe of Superpower4Good anda. lot more.

The Next Big Idea Club

January 29th, 2024|Comments Off on The Next Big Idea Club

The Next Big Idea Club is a wonderful way to stay up on the best new nonfiction books.

Meet Roland Cayrol

January 2nd, 2024|Comments Off on Meet Roland Cayrol

A reflection on the man who made my PhD research on the French far left possible. ANd therefore my career.

The Rondine Method

December 12th, 2023|Comments Off on The Rondine Method

Last week, I hosted a launch event for The Rondine Method, a book I coedited with Franco Vaccai and Miguel Diaz. In tis post, I look at the book and its implications for a country like the United States.

Join or Die

November 7th, 2023|Comments Off on Join or Die

My reactions to a documentary about social capital told through the career of Robert Putnam and some ideas on enhancing social trust from Rotary and Geneva Peace Week.

When Zebras Become ProSocial

October 25th, 2023|Comments Off on When Zebras Become ProSocial

Last weekend, I attended Zebras Unite's DazzleCon and met with the folks from ProSocial. What fun.

Community Mediation–Year 2

October 6th, 2023|Comments Off on Community Mediation–Year 2

My take on community mediation after attending this year's NAFCM board meeting and assembly.

Thinks like a Commoner/Act Like a Commoner

September 5th, 2023|Comments Off on Thinks like a Commoner/Act Like a Commoner

In this post, I take the idea of the commons beyond the way it has historically been used and explore how it could help in broader social change efforts.

Introducing the Noosphere

August 16th, 2023|Comments Off on Introducing the Noosphere

Learn all about the noosphere without having to take the equivalent of a graduate course in applied science.

Get To Know Stranger’s Guide

August 7th, 2023|Comments Off on Get To Know Stranger’s Guide

Stranger's Guide is an amazing (but not so new) magazine that is sort of about travel and a whole lot more. Now available easily on Substack.

A Homework Assignment from Australia

June 26th, 2023|Comments Off on A Homework Assignment from Australia

I rarely write about the same topic in two consecutive blog posts. Normally, too, I just ask you to read what I write. Today, I’m going against the flow. Not only am I [...]

PeaceCon 2023

May 16th, 2023|Comments Off on PeaceCon 2023

AfP held its annual PeaceCon earlier this month. Here's one take on what happened.

My First Rotary Conference

April 24th, 2023|Comments Off on My First Rotary Conference

I had my first two official introductions to Rotary’s peacebuilding work last week. First, Gretchen and I attended the second of three planning sessions for a proposed permanent partnership between Rotary and George [...]

Getting Your Act Together

March 28th, 2023|Comments Off on Getting Your Act Together

I've been thinking a lot about personal growth and why it is so important for peacebuilding and peacebuilders. Here are some early ideas

A Weekend in Columbia

March 3rd, 2023|Comments Off on A Weekend in Columbia

We spent a remarkable weekend plotting social change in Columbia SC.

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