In this issue, we have an award-winning article by James Moore which investigates the phenomenon of authoritarianism from a philosophical perspective. Drawing on the seminal works of Lacan, Kojeve, and other philosophers, Moore analyzes the ability of governments to exploit trauma and fill psychological needs in order to attain or maintain power. This is a fascinating interdisciplinary work that you won’t want to miss!

Another highlight of this issue is another contribution by RM Resident Historian Ralph Pickard, who delves into the prehistory of the infamous East German Stasi (secret police). His exploration of the Commissariat 5, a decentralized and independent department established in 1945, provides valuable insight into the Stasi’s origins.