Informing and engaging citizens
A short handbook of Brexit fallacies: Putting facts in context
The Brexit debate is full of facts, figures, and fallacies. But Albert Weale writes that facts are not enough, and that to make a responsible voting choice, facts need to be fitted into a bigger picture. He looks at 18 different fallacies to see where the logic breaks down in statements that often seem ‘right’ at first glance. […]
How democratic is the UK’s participation in the European Union?
As part of the 2017 Audit of UK Democracy, Stuart Brown examines the extent to which the UK’s participation in European and international institutions affects the quality of UK democracy. Overall, while some positive reforms have taken place at the European level since 2012, the UK’s uncertain relationship with the European Union and a general lack of […]
Understanding Ed Miliband’s failed attempt to renew social democracy
Despite many seeing Ed Miliband as being responsible for Labour’s 2015 defeat, much more contributed to the party’s failures, explains Eunice Goes. Drawing on her latestbook, she writes that the European context of crisis and austerity created a situation that Labour – together with other European social democratic parties – failed to steer through successfully. […]
Local authorities continue to keep citizens in the dark about council elections and their results and outcomes
Local elections in England took place in May, but the outcome of those elections is in many cases difficult to ascertain, particularly with regard to the make-up of the administration governing ‘No Overall Control’ authorities. Here, Chris Game laments this, and argues that is unacceptable for local authorities to continue keeping citizens in the dark when […]
A nation of members: Civic participation through membership in the UK
As Co-operatives UK launches a new report setting out the performance of the UK’s dynamic co-operative sector, its Secretary General, Ed Mayo, looks at what it means to be a member in today’s society. Similar PostsMembership organisations: how to boost numbers and activate engagementHow democratic is the interest group process in the UK?How democratic are […]
Going, Going, Gone: How Safe is David Cameron?
Last weekend, rumors were once again abound of plots to remove David Cameron as leader. Ben Worthy assesses the Prime Minister’s position in light of the latest threat, and writes that although it appears probable he will survive attempts to topple him in the short-term, the plots, rumours and rebellion will continue. Similar PostsPoliticians haven’t been […]
How position shifts regarding sociocultural issues may (or may not) hurt political parties
Sociocultural issues such as immigration have increased in prominence in recent years in Western Europe, with far-right parties gaining traction in the guise of figures such as Marine Le Pen (and her father Jean Marie before her). Here, Kyung Joon Han looks at whether position shifts from these parties hurt them politically, finding that that niche […]
A guide to making up your mind in the referendum on EU membership
Andrew Glencross and Paul Cairney give some advice on how to wade through all the information on ‘Brexit’ to make an informed choice. Andrew offers a more thorough discussion in Remain or Leave? A MOOC on the UK Referendum on EU Membership. Similar PostsIt would be a democratic travesty for Brexit not to be accepted […]
In coalitions, parties tend to receive their proportional share of ministries
Coalitions are the norm across Europe, where proportional electoral systems tend to be the norm and majority governments are thus scarce. Here, Cristina Bucur looks at ‘who gets what’ and finds that, when the importance of cabinet posts is taken into account, small and big parties alike tend to receive their fair share of the […]
The new political divide on both sides of Atlantic: Populists vs cosmopolitans
Varied forms of populism are on the rise on both sides of the Atlantic. Simon Reich writes that this is a result of growing disenchantment which opportunistic politicians have successfully capitalised on, and that the key political divide is no longer between right and left but between cosmopolitans favouring economic globalisation, multiculturalism and integration on […]
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