Vafa Ghazavi
@vafaghazavi.bsky.social
Political theorist and philosopher, public policy strategist, former diplomat. Teaching at the University of Sydney.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Love the pale green tiles and timber windows of these 46 social housing apartments in Brussels
Originally built in the 1960’s, it was recently insulated and reclad in splendid green. Cost… €4.6m
By FP Architectes
Originally built in the 1960’s, it was recently insulated and reclad in splendid green. Cost… €4.6m
By FP Architectes
June 26, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Love the pale green tiles and timber windows of these 46 social housing apartments in Brussels
Originally built in the 1960’s, it was recently insulated and reclad in splendid green. Cost… €4.6m
By FP Architectes
Originally built in the 1960’s, it was recently insulated and reclad in splendid green. Cost… €4.6m
By FP Architectes
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
"This extraordinary encyclical powerfully articulates a 'civilization of love' as the ultimate worthy aim of technical mastery."
Frank Pasquale on 'Magnifica humanitas':
Frank Pasquale on 'Magnifica humanitas':
Toward a Civilization of Love
In 'Magnifica humanitas,' Pope Leo presents a genuinely universalist civilizational discourse, calling for a social order whose guiding principle is love.
www.commonwealmagazine.org
June 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
"This extraordinary encyclical powerfully articulates a 'civilization of love' as the ultimate worthy aim of technical mastery."
Frank Pasquale on 'Magnifica humanitas':
Frank Pasquale on 'Magnifica humanitas':
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
72 social housing apartments, south of Barcelona
Generous openable windows, treetop views, cross ventilation, shade…
By Carles Enrich Studio
Generous openable windows, treetop views, cross ventilation, shade…
By Carles Enrich Studio
June 4, 2026 at 11:23 AM
72 social housing apartments, south of Barcelona
Generous openable windows, treetop views, cross ventilation, shade…
By Carles Enrich Studio
Generous openable windows, treetop views, cross ventilation, shade…
By Carles Enrich Studio
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Picked up Henry Shue’s Basic Rights. First paragraph is a reminder that beautiful writing and superb academic work are perfectly compatible.
May 22, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Picked up Henry Shue’s Basic Rights. First paragraph is a reminder that beautiful writing and superb academic work are perfectly compatible.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Beautiful new social housing in Brisbane by Vokes and Peters, and Rothelowmann
Can we have more of this please?
Can we have more of this please?
May 7, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Beautiful new social housing in Brisbane by Vokes and Peters, and Rothelowmann
Can we have more of this please?
Can we have more of this please?
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
The incomparable Helena Rosenblatt on Ezra Klein, talking about the deep moral core of liberalism. So good.
I was also very touched that she chose my book as one of her three recommendations.
The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/o...
I was also very touched that she chose my book as one of her three recommendations.
The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/o...
Opinion | The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2026 at 10:41 AM
The incomparable Helena Rosenblatt on Ezra Klein, talking about the deep moral core of liberalism. So good.
I was also very touched that she chose my book as one of her three recommendations.
The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/o...
I was also very touched that she chose my book as one of her three recommendations.
The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/o...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Helena Rosenblatt’s @HelenaRosenblat star turn! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Book That Changed How I Think About Liberalism
Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · May 5 · 1h 5m
podcasts.apple.com
May 5, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Helena Rosenblatt’s @HelenaRosenblat star turn! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Very surprised and greatly honoured to be featured as one of the topics of the talks at the UCL Philosophy Department Retrospective on June 9th.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-philos...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-philos...
UCL Philosophy Department Retrospective
An engaging and informative look back over nearly 200 years of philosophy done at University College London.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 23, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Very surprised and greatly honoured to be featured as one of the topics of the talks at the UCL Philosophy Department Retrospective on June 9th.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-philos...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ucl-philos...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
What would an anti-oligarchic economy of freedom look like? The Fairness Foundation and UCL Policy Lab hosted a great discussion of my recent book, 'The Wealth of Freedom', on this topic. Here is their report on the discussion: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/why-wealth...
Why Wealth Matters
A write-up of a recent joint event with the Policy Lab at University College London about republican political theory, featuring Stuart White, author of 'The Wealth of Freedom'
www.faircomment.co.uk
April 14, 2026 at 7:42 AM
What would an anti-oligarchic economy of freedom look like? The Fairness Foundation and UCL Policy Lab hosted a great discussion of my recent book, 'The Wealth of Freedom', on this topic. Here is their report on the discussion: www.faircomment.co.uk/p/why-wealth...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
I spent two months in Hungary, based at a right-wing think tank, interviewing regime insiders and critics to understand a question liberals too often dodge: what if regimes like Orbán’s are driven by a moral project?
My new piece, for @noemamag.com:
www.noemamag.com/the-return-o...
My new piece, for @noemamag.com:
www.noemamag.com/the-return-o...
The Return Of The Moral State | NOEMA
Hungary is not just an illiberal state. It is a state with a moral mission.
www.noemamag.com
March 31, 2026 at 7:50 PM
I spent two months in Hungary, based at a right-wing think tank, interviewing regime insiders and critics to understand a question liberals too often dodge: what if regimes like Orbán’s are driven by a moral project?
My new piece, for @noemamag.com:
www.noemamag.com/the-return-o...
My new piece, for @noemamag.com:
www.noemamag.com/the-return-o...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
"Some of us may no longer be Habermassians, but we learned from, with and against him what it means to keep faith with critique."
March 25, 2026 at 8:49 PM
"Some of us may no longer be Habermassians, but we learned from, with and against him what it means to keep faith with critique."
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
📣 PhD opportunity at University of Sydney/University of Glasgow!
Come work with me, Sophie Chao, @sotiriagrek.bsky.social & @dremilinesmith.bsky.social on "Epistemic Infrastructures of
Planetary Health Governance in Southeast Asia"
#STS #hitmed #Planetary #PhDopportunity
Come work with me, Sophie Chao, @sotiriagrek.bsky.social & @dremilinesmith.bsky.social on "Epistemic Infrastructures of
Planetary Health Governance in Southeast Asia"
#STS #hitmed #Planetary #PhDopportunity
University of Glasgow - Colleges - College of Social Sciences - Student funding opportunities - Postgraduate Research - Latest PhD opportunities
tinyurl.com
March 25, 2026 at 8:36 AM
📣 PhD opportunity at University of Sydney/University of Glasgow!
Come work with me, Sophie Chao, @sotiriagrek.bsky.social & @dremilinesmith.bsky.social on "Epistemic Infrastructures of
Planetary Health Governance in Southeast Asia"
#STS #hitmed #Planetary #PhDopportunity
Come work with me, Sophie Chao, @sotiriagrek.bsky.social & @dremilinesmith.bsky.social on "Epistemic Infrastructures of
Planetary Health Governance in Southeast Asia"
#STS #hitmed #Planetary #PhDopportunity
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
To close out our popular series on the great American novelist Toni Morrison, we sit down with Namwali Serpell, a @harvard.edu literature Professor and author of the highly acclaimed book of essays "On Morrison." 🎧 Out now, wherever you listen to podcasts.
@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social #BookSky
@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social #BookSky
March 21, 2026 at 4:41 AM
To close out our popular series on the great American novelist Toni Morrison, we sit down with Namwali Serpell, a @harvard.edu literature Professor and author of the highly acclaimed book of essays "On Morrison." 🎧 Out now, wherever you listen to podcasts.
@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social #BookSky
@penguinbooksusa.bsky.social #BookSky
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Brilliant! I’d suspected that stylistic analysis would show up something interesting as On Liberty is written so differently to Utilitarianism. I’m sure many people have thought the same. But I didn’t have the skills to attempt it myself. Delighted it has been done.
Harriet Taylor Mill officially recognised as co-author of 'On Liberty'! dailynous.com/2026/03/19/o...
“On Liberty” Now Officially Has Two Authors - Daily Nous
An edition of On Liberty published this month is the first to officially name Harriet Taylor Mill as a co-author alongside John Stuart Mill. The new volume is edited by Piers Norris Turner (Ohio State...
dailynous.com
March 19, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Brilliant! I’d suspected that stylistic analysis would show up something interesting as On Liberty is written so differently to Utilitarianism. I’m sure many people have thought the same. But I didn’t have the skills to attempt it myself. Delighted it has been done.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Such a towering figure. And what a loss. One of the most impressive intellectual figures of our time and still working on multi-volume projects right up to the end.
end of an era
March 14, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Such a towering figure. And what a loss. One of the most impressive intellectual figures of our time and still working on multi-volume projects right up to the end.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
@juliettemarchant.bsky.social chats with Bernard Yack about the sharp, skeptical, and endlessly relevant Judith Shklar. From the “liberalism of fear” to her reflections on injustice, Shklar shows how political theory can be both profound and deeply humane. open.spotify.com/episode/20hn...
Judith Shklar with Bernard Yack
open.spotify.com
March 10, 2026 at 1:14 AM
@juliettemarchant.bsky.social chats with Bernard Yack about the sharp, skeptical, and endlessly relevant Judith Shklar. From the “liberalism of fear” to her reflections on injustice, Shklar shows how political theory can be both profound and deeply humane. open.spotify.com/episode/20hn...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
My lecture Social Equality: Then and Now for @triphilosophy.bsky.social is now available online.
youtu.be/9xL1gyM4f3Q
youtu.be/9xL1gyM4f3Q
Social Equality: Then And Now, Professor Jonathan Wolff
YouTube video by The Royal Institute of Philosophy
youtu.be
March 9, 2026 at 9:43 PM
My lecture Social Equality: Then and Now for @triphilosophy.bsky.social is now available online.
youtu.be/9xL1gyM4f3Q
youtu.be/9xL1gyM4f3Q
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
NEW BOOK!
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
Utopia
Abstract. Ideal societies, better worlds, more just and peaceful ways of living: these have long been the stuff of human beings’ social dreaming. In this c
academic.oup.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
NEW BOOK!
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
I'm very happy to say that my new book, Utopia, co-written with Douglas Mao, has been published on-line
academic.oup.com/book/62279
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Just watched the world premiere of Once Upon a Time in Harlem. In 1972 William Greaves filmed Harlem Renaissance luminaries bearing witness, sparring, reciting poetry, jubilating. The film was finally complete 50 years later. It's a masterpiece and a gift. www.onceuponatimeinharlemfilm.com #sundance
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Just watched the world premiere of Once Upon a Time in Harlem. In 1972 William Greaves filmed Harlem Renaissance luminaries bearing witness, sparring, reciting poetry, jubilating. The film was finally complete 50 years later. It's a masterpiece and a gift. www.onceuponatimeinharlemfilm.com #sundance
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
New episode of Her Place in Theory just dropped!! I had the pleasure of chatting with @duncanivison.bsky.social about the formidable philosopher and public intellectual, Martha Nussbaum.
Listen, subscribe and give the series a rating on Spotify/Apple!
open.spotify.com/episode/7zjS...
Listen, subscribe and give the series a rating on Spotify/Apple!
open.spotify.com/episode/7zjS...
Martha Nussbaum with Duncan Ivison
open.spotify.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
New episode of Her Place in Theory just dropped!! I had the pleasure of chatting with @duncanivison.bsky.social about the formidable philosopher and public intellectual, Martha Nussbaum.
Listen, subscribe and give the series a rating on Spotify/Apple!
open.spotify.com/episode/7zjS...
Listen, subscribe and give the series a rating on Spotify/Apple!
open.spotify.com/episode/7zjS...
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
Our hearts are heavy with the awful attacks on Sydney’s Jewish community in Bondi. Literature bears witness to many centuries of Jewish persecution — a reminder never to forget. With that in mind, we want to share Emma Lazarus’ beautiful 1871 poem In the Jewish Synagogue at Newport.
December 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Our hearts are heavy with the awful attacks on Sydney’s Jewish community in Bondi. Literature bears witness to many centuries of Jewish persecution — a reminder never to forget. With that in mind, we want to share Emma Lazarus’ beautiful 1871 poem In the Jewish Synagogue at Newport.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to novelist Ian McEwan, who was our first ever guest on PPF, about how the future will view our present once the disasters we are brewing come to pass. A wide-ranging conversation about how past, present and future co-exist in time.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to novelist Ian McEwan, who was our first ever guest on PPF, about how the future will view our present once the disasters we are brewing come to pass. A wide-ranging conversation about how past, present and future co-exist in time.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:47 AM
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
David talks to novelist Ian McEwan, who was our first ever guest on PPF, about how the future will view our present once the disasters we are brewing come to pass. A wide-ranging conversation about how past, present and future co-exist in time.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
David talks to novelist Ian McEwan, who was our first ever guest on PPF, about how the future will view our present once the disasters we are brewing come to pass. A wide-ranging conversation about how past, present and future co-exist in time.
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
In the latest forum of @bostonreview.bsky.social I wrote about migration, social class and the causes of displacement around the world. You can read the essay, the responses and the response to the responses online here & also subscribe to Boston Review!
The Real Border Crisis - Boston Review
The problem isn't immigration. It's the failure of liberal democracy itself.
www.bostonreview.net
December 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
In the latest forum of @bostonreview.bsky.social I wrote about migration, social class and the causes of displacement around the world. You can read the essay, the responses and the response to the responses online here & also subscribe to Boston Review!
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
When I was reflecting on my career for my retirement conference I realised it was built on three things I was advised no respectable philosophy academic should do
1 Write texts for students
2 Write collaborative public policy reports
3 Co-author philosophical research
My advice. Do your thing.
1 Write texts for students
2 Write collaborative public policy reports
3 Co-author philosophical research
My advice. Do your thing.
November 17, 2025 at 8:42 PM
When I was reflecting on my career for my retirement conference I realised it was built on three things I was advised no respectable philosophy academic should do
1 Write texts for students
2 Write collaborative public policy reports
3 Co-author philosophical research
My advice. Do your thing.
1 Write texts for students
2 Write collaborative public policy reports
3 Co-author philosophical research
My advice. Do your thing.
Reposted by Vafa Ghazavi
A tree absorbing a headstone into itself at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Frankfurt. Very evocative image of transcendence (in Hegel’s sense of preservation but superseedence) of memory by new life.
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A tree absorbing a headstone into itself at the Old Jewish Cemetery in Frankfurt. Very evocative image of transcendence (in Hegel’s sense of preservation but superseedence) of memory by new life.