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The EU has successfully pursued a strategy of democracy promotion by technocratic means in Belarus
Belarus is often depicted as the ‘last dictatorship in Europe’ and is generally regarded as being more strongly oriented toward Russia rather than the EU and the West. Using extensive research in the country conducted between 2009 and 2013, Elena A. Korosteleva highlights that while on the outside it appears to be ‘business as usual’ in Belarus, the […]
A Northern Ireland ‘border poll’ could help pave a path of peace
The Scottish independence referendum showed the potential of direct democracy to engage and motivate citizens, particularly if what is at stake if the future of the country. Amy Maguire argues that Northern Ireland should follow their lead, and urges the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to call a ‘border poll’ on the unification of […]
Ethnic inequalities – and the prejudice, discrimination and racism that underlie them – persist to a significant degree
It is often said that we have moved into a ‘post-race’ policy environment, in which politicians in particularly keen to claim that ethnic inequalities no longer matter. However this is not necessarily the case, says, counters James Nazroo of the University of Manchester, who argues that in fact they remain both significant and important, with policy implications. […]
The use of Voting Advice Applications is on the rise, but their ability to shift votes and shape views is still unclear
Voting Advice Applications are digital devices that try to help citizens think about how they might decide to vote in an election. They might be websites, apps or any other online format that you could access via a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile connected device. They are a niche digital product but they also represent […]
Whither the Union? Scotland’s voice prompts more questions than answers
After Scotland’s big decision, thoughts have moved to the future and implications that are far-reaching for the whole of the Union. Carl Cullinane rounds up the reaction and tries to pick apart what it all means for UK democracy. Similar PostsA more systematic approach to relations between the devolved administrations and the UK government is requiredUnfinished devolution […]
Evidence from Portugal shows that citizens in corrupt areas are more likely to vote in elections
Corruption is a persistent problem in several countries across Europe. Daniel Stockemer and Patricia Calca write that corruption can have two distinct effects: it can either result in citizen disengagement from the political process, or it can lead to increased voter participation as a mechanism for punishing political authorities at the ballot box. Using an analysis of local level […]
Meaningful scrutiny, or a PR stunt? Experts respond to Ed Miliband’s proposal for a ‘Public PMQs’
Is Ed Miliband’s idea for a “public Prime Minister’s Questions” a good one? Following on from part one of our ‘Ask the Experts’ piece, we asked the Hansard Society’s Matt Korris, Huddersfield University’s Andy Mycock, and Christina Leston-Bandeira to join Democratic Audit’s Sean Kippin in giving their view on whether this is a public relations […]
From STEM to STEAM: The potential for arts to facilitate innovation, literacy and participatory democracy
The value of the arts goes far beyond its monetary returns. Malaika Cunningham outlines how the arts play a huge role in boosting proficiency within STEM subjects. Creative thinking is needed for truly excellent scientists, engineers and mathematicians, and how better to foster this than a rounded education, which includes arts subjects? Arts education fosters a literate and […]
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