Archive for November, 2014
Book Review: What’s Wrong with the WTO and How to Fix It by Rorden Wilkinson
Rorden Wilkinson argues that the WTO to be transformed into an institution and a form of trade governance that fulfils its real potential and serves the needs of all. This thought-provoking book is highly recommended for anyone with an interest in global trade, international relations or politics, writes Elaine Kellman. Similar PostsHow we diagnose the state of […]
In constructing her first Cabinet, Nicola Sturgeon has shown a commitment to sending ‘a strong, positive message to girls and young women’
Nicola Sturgeon recently announced her new Cabinet. Following her selection as Scotland’s first female First Minister, she told the Scottish Parliament that she hoped her presence in the top job would send ‘a strong, positive message to girls and young women – indeed, to all women – across our land’. But, asks Emily Andrews, is the composition of […]
The vow delivered? Experts respond to the publication of the Smith Commission’s recommendations
The Smith Commission, the body tasked with recommending reforms to the governance of Scotland recently released its final report. Democratic Audit asked Scottish constitutional and political experts John Curtice, Katie Boyle and Stephen Tierney, and Sionaidh Douglas-Scott to respond. (Part 1 can be found here). Similar PostsTo appreciate the importance of the Brexit referendum, we must […]
“Not bad for a 28-page report”: Experts respond to the Smith Commission’s proposals on Scottish governance
The Smith Commission yesterday published its official recommendations for the future of Scottish governance following the Scottish independence referendum. Democratic Audit asked Iain McLean, Coree Brown, Norman Bonney, Craig McAngus and Paul Cairney to give their views on the proposals and their implications. (Part 2 can be found here.) Similar PostsThe best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of […]
Any reform to the arrangements for governing England must take account of the country’s diversity of views
Labour MP Emily Thornberry’s controversial tweet has once again fuelled debates about English identity and constitutional reform. Felicity Matthews looks at Prime Minister David Cameron’s defence of his ‘English votes for English laws’ proposal. She argues that the diversity of views within England should be taken into account, or the union may be vulnerable to […]
Parliamentary language should be updated, but the modernisation of our political institutions mustn’t stop there
John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, recently suggested that the old-fashioned language in use in Parliament may further reinforce the public’s sense of distance with democracy. Assessing his claims, Andrew Scott Crines argues that language is a problem, but that it would be a mistake to stop there, with the physical shape […]
The progressive ideals behind Open Government Data are being used to further interests of the neoliberal state
A range of social actors are pushing for Open Government Data, from open research advocates to the private sector, resulting in a complex and contested landscape. Jo Bates examines recent developments on how the government have been able to use the rhetoric of transparency for political ends, paving the way for the implementation of long term austerity. She argues we cannot […]
Democracy can and does take root in poor countries, but only if we look at small states
Does democracy fail in poor states, with weak economies and a lack of basic education? According to Jack Corbett and Wouter Veenendaal, this isn’t the case (though it is often thought to be). Sharing the findings of new research, they argue that smaller states particularly can create healthy and sustainable democracies, with more than half of low-income democracies coming under […]
The Tower Hamlets affair is a sad indictment of British local democracy
The Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles recent appointed commissioners to assist in the running of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets following the publication of a PwC ‘Best Value’ report. Chris Game argues that the affair shows the weakness of English local government and ignores the wishes of Tower Hamlets’ residents. Similar PostsThe PwC […]
Negative partisanship is real, measurable, and affects political behaviour
Many people explain their political involvement with reference to the kinds of outcomes they’d like to avoid, with mainstream parties in the UK often framing their campaigns around ‘keeping out’ the opposite side. But what do we actually know about what Nicholas J. Caruana calls ‘negative partisanship’? He presents evidence from Canada that shows it explains […]
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