Phil Paine is reminded of the caterpillar who, when asked in which order it moved each of its feet, found itself ‘distracted in a ditch, wondering how it walked’. He suspects that there are misapprehensions about the role of definitions in advancing democracy
Phil was born in a small subarctic community in Canada, and subsequently did much rough travel in North America, Europe and Africa, supporting himself first by farm labour, then by a variety of jobs.
He undertook a solitary but systematic study of world history and anthropology, and currently survives as a writer, translator and blogger in Toronto.
He focuses on democratic theory, cross-cultural democratic history, and resistance to authoritarian regimes, with numerous niche interests, such as Métis history in Canada, caste systems, LGBT+ issues, and translating medieval chronicles.
He holds no academic position, but his occasional scholarly publications are regularly cited.
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
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