Discomfort zone

Discomfort Zone explores the complexities of promoting democracy and supporting civil society abroad, critiquing Western approaches and foreign aid with a focus on sovereignty, human rights, and the impact of geopolitical interests. It highlights the challenges in peacebuilding, the influence of money in politics, and the unintended consequences of foreign intervention.

Democracy Promotion Foreign Aid and Intervention Human Rights Geopolitical Interests Civil Society Support Peacebuilding Sovereignty and National Security Activism and Foreign Funding Legal Systems and Governance Women's Rights and Gender Equality

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The deep state of the patriarchy

39 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Gender Society History Philanthropy Civil Rights
  1. Guardianship of women is a significant issue worldwide, where women are not considered adults in the legal sense and require male permission for basic decisions.
  2. Guardianship practices are not limited to specific countries or religions, as it is observed globally.
  3. The remnants of guardianship still exist in Western societies, affecting women's autonomy and equality despite historical movements for change.

Wandel durch Handel failed, but not for the reasons you think

98 implied HN points • 31 Jul 22
  1. Wandel durch Handel was a flawed foreign policy approach towards Russia.
  2. The European Community of Coal and Steel in 1950 was a successful model for sustainable peace.
  3. Both sides underestimated each other, leading to disastrous consequences in February 2022.

Our power over their pleasure (short version)

39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Human Rights International Aid Gender Equality
  1. The concept of defender security grew in response to threats faced by activists, leading to more resources and awareness.
  2. Integrated defender security emphasizes work-life balance and mental health of human rights defenders.
  3. Fashionable causes like Women's Human Rights Defenders' security can unintentionally create accidental elites among activists.

Our power over their pleasure

39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Activism Human Rights Feminism Conflict
  1. Be mindful of how good intentions of offering support can unintentionally lead to intrusion and co-dependency.
  2. It's crucial to prioritize defender security in civil society work to ensure the well-being of activists.
  3. Empowerment should focus on promoting equality and liberation for all, rather than creating elites within activist communities.

Activism, national security and foreign money

78 implied HN points • 04 Aug 22
  1. Countries like Russia have laws regulating foreign funding for NGOs.
  2. Receiving foreign funding can create conflict with national security and sovereignty.
  3. Global trends show a growing concern over foreign money influencing activism and civil society.

On the proposed EU visa ban for Russians

58 implied HN points • 11 Aug 22
  1. Proposing an EU visa ban for Russians reveals a lack of understanding about visa and immigration processes.
  2. Implementing a visa ban would be extreme and could lead to chaotic situations, bordering on mass internment.
  3. Banning Russians from traveling to Europe would undermine fundamental rights and values.

Geopolitics of human rights is a bad idea

58 implied HN points • 22 Jul 22
  1. Geopolitics of human rights is viewed as a bad idea due to various reasons
  2. Engaging in diplomacy with problematic governments for mutual benefit is a common practice
  3. The concept of a geopolitical agenda on human rights contradicts the principles of human rights

Introducing the Discomfort Zone

58 implied HN points • 13 Jul 22
  1. The blog focuses on foreign policy, foreign aid, human rights, democracy, and the former Soviet Union.
  2. The author discusses the discomfort they felt with how Western power and money influenced democracy promotion in regions like the former Soviet Union.
  3. After years of working with activists in Russia, they decided to speak out and share their perspectives freely.

Final wrap-up of the visa ban topic

39 implied HN points • 05 Sep 22
  1. The author wants to focus on writing about constructive and forward-looking topics instead of revisiting issues like the visa ban.
  2. The author critically discusses the potential consequences and ethical implications of a visa ban, questioning its effectiveness and pointing out the dangers of such measures.
  3. The EU's decision on the visa facilitation agreement with Russia is described as a vague compromise, with unclear practical implications and potential racism in the heated debate surrounding the issue.

Coming soon

39 implied HN points • 01 Jul 22
  1. Discomfort Zone is a newsletter discussing controversial ideas on promoting democracy and supporting civil society abroad.
  2. The newsletter is authored by Almut Rochowanski.
  3. To read the newsletter, visit discomfortzone.substack.com.

A woman's war is never done

19 implied HN points • 22 Nov 22
  1. Women play a crucial role in peacebuilding efforts, often bearing a heavy burden that goes unappreciated.
  2. The reality of women living through war includes exhaustion, health issues, and sacrifices.
  3. The individuals participating in peace negotiations may not always represent those most affected by the conflict.

We broke activism

3 HN points • 20 Jul 22
  1. Activists in certain countries may lack understanding of real-world democracy and politics due to foreign influence
  2. Activists in some regions focus more on project results than fundamental social and political change
  3. Reliance on foreign funding may disempower activists and lead to policy decisions made in backroom deals