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Poetry, essays and political commentary. You will also find out how to write and read poetry, as well as how to understand and practise politics, geopolitics, and think like a political philosopher.
To begin with, poetry & polis will be sent to you on a UK Friday evening with two or three of Bernard Cadogan’s poems, some of which will be followed by a commentary, as well as glimpses of his insights into the fraught area of international relations. There will be no charge for these Friday newsletters.
From Valentine’s Day 2022, we have been sending out a second newsletter on a Monday evening which will showcase two of Bernard’s new poems, and include in-depth commentaries on poetics, geopolitics and international relations. Subscribers will pay to receive the Monday newsletters.
If this works as well as we expect, a third newsletter will go out to paying subscribers with poetry, new and old, and hints and tips on how to write and read poetry.
From time to time, an international relations news brief will be sent to Client subscribers. These will not be archived on the website due to the very special, confidential nature of the contents.
When you subscribe, you will have full access to this website, and you’ll be part of a community of people who share your interests.
Who puts out this newsletter?
poetry & polis brings together the efforts of Bernard Cadogan in the UK and Ramsey Margolis in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Bernard Cadogan
Born in Aotearoa New Zealand, Bernard is an accomplished poet, philosopher and historian. Since 1996, he has worked as a political advisor and speech writer, in particular as policy advisor to the prime minister. He has been a consultant to the New Zealand Treasury since 2011 and was appointed an honorary advisor to the Māori king in 2015.
He is especially interested in the philosophy of Paul Ricoeur, John Rawls and Charles Taylor, and his current focus is on postcolonial thought, the formation of empires, and the resilience, relevance and viability of small nation states.
Bernard holds a DPhil from Oxford University on the political thought, constitutionalism and racial policy of Sir George Grey (1812–98) in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Behind the scenes...
If you would like advice and teaching on poetics and the composition of epic poetry, write to
If you require a bespoke report with reliable international relations advice for a modest rate, write to.
