Vol. 12 No. 1 (2021): Community

As the COVID-19 pandemic settles into the new status quo, the power of the community to come together—and to divide—is increasingly evident. From the global discussion of systemic racism instigated by the Black Lives Matter protests

in the summer of 2020, to the military disarray and coups of Myanmar, to COP26 in Glasgow, Leviathan centred our focus on the theme of Community to propel thoughtful discussion amongst the student body.

Together with our friends from Edinburgh Political Union (EPU), we have striven to engage students in a series of passionate debates. While the EPU hosted a number of engaging events including a discussion with Former Presidential Advisor Dr. Peter Feaver on America and the world and a panel discussion on Political Apathy, we helped students enter the conversation through academic writing.

The pandemic presented a series of challenges for Leviathan, and in response, we are publishing all of our articles in print as well as online. Our articles grasp a wide array of perspectives on the broad theme of community. Doing so allowed for more optimism during a time of unprecedented turbulence.

Our contributors and editors have worked tirelessly to bring the highest level of academic political writing to our student body and beyond. Darina Stoyanova investigates the complex role of violence in the Venezuelan city of Caracas, focusing on the barrio communities. In India, Tharun Venkat ambitiously explores the relationship between religion and politics

in the postcolonial era. Back to the UK, Jack Liddall explores the seemingly contradictory forces of decentralisation and centralisation of political power in the UK post-devolution. Claire Rose Reilley Panella evaluates instances of mutual aid networks that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic and their long-term efficacy, while Paul Gerard Tomlinson explores
the role of food banks in the United Kingdom as both necessary charitable organisations and, simultaneously, a sign that large-scale governance has shortcomings. Alex Lemery analyses climate talks and the role of the international community and dynamics between certain nations. Krisztina Kocsis provides an inclusive take when making an argument concerning the states of nuclear weapons after the Cold War.

We wouldn’t have been able to work on so many amazing articles had it not been for our own community: our writers, regional editors, copy editors, peer reviewers, and our administrative team. We hope that you will enjoy reading Leviathan as much as we enjoy bringing it to you!

Veronica Greer, Editor-in-Chief

Sofia Farouk, Deputy Editor-in-Chief

Lia Weinseiss, Treasurer-Secretary