MP expenses and the media: a more informed analysis shows many MPs spend far less than allowed
By 10/12/2015 24 Comments Read More →

MP expenses and the media: a more informed analysis shows many MPs spend far less than allowed

Comparisons of MP expenses in the media are often highly deficient as they omit crucial explanations and qualifications, writes Raphael Heuwieser. He argues that although some parliamentarians act irresponsibly with regard to their expenses and should be held accountable, an objective and fair assessment should be used to identify them. Similar PostsDoes the online tool WriteToThem foster meaningful […]

Posted in: Achieving accountable government, Informing and engaging citizens
Democratic participation can help to alleviate Britain’s housing crisis
By 10/12/2015 37 Comments Read More →

Democratic participation can help to alleviate Britain’s housing crisis

Britain’s housing crisis is one of the biggest issues facing Westminster, with low building rates rocketing house prices – particularly in the South of England – locking young people out of the housing market. Here, Charlie Cadywould shares research which shows the role democratic participation can play in alleviating the housing crisis.  Similar PostsThe best of Democratic […]

Posted in: Building sub-national government, Informing and engaging citizens
Party mechanics: Why Labour would struggle to oust Jeremy Corbyn
By 09/12/2015 14 Comments Read More →

Party mechanics: Why Labour would struggle to oust Jeremy Corbyn

If moderates in the party thought the parliamentary vote on Syria might help them get rid of Corbyn as leader, they are very much mistaken, writes Tom Quinn. He argues that in fact their options look quite limited, due to Corbyn’s wider party support, the absence of any mechanism for a confidence vote on a […]

Posted in: Informing and engaging citizens, Jeremy Corbyn
As Scotland and Wales demand greater devolution Northern Ireland is handing power back to Westminster
By 09/12/2015 29 Comments Read More →

As Scotland and Wales demand greater devolution Northern Ireland is handing power back to Westminster

Social security has long occupied an ambiguous place in Northern Ireland’s devolution settlement. Mark Simpson of Ulster University discusses the implications of last month’s decision to temporarily hand legislative competence to Westminster. Similar PostsThe current talks in Northern Ireland exemplify the mistrust that has attended devolution from the outsetThe Northern Ireland Secretary’s suggestion that Stormont’s […]

Posted in: Building sub-national government
To enhance women’s representation, internal party democracy may need to be ‘managed’ in the short term
By 08/12/2015 24 Comments Read More →

To enhance women’s representation, internal party democracy may need to be ‘managed’ in the short term

With a general election in the Republic of Ireland imminent, gender quotas have already doubled the proportion of women candidates relative to the 2011 general election. In most cases the implementation of quotas at constituency level has been straightforward. However, problems have arisen largely due to ‘local’ versus ‘central’ conflict, writes Claire McGing. Here she explores how […]

Posted in: Elections and electoral systems, Informing and engaging citizens
As the current parliament progresses, the dissonance between constitutional norms and governing reality may prove too great to ignore
By 08/12/2015 21 Comments Read More →

As the current parliament progresses, the dissonance between constitutional norms and governing reality may prove too great to ignore

This May’s General Election saw the end of the first full coalition in post-war British politics, between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. The partnership  brought together two parties with distinct constitutional philosophies, and entailed a trade-off between principle and pragmatism which saw the latter’s electoral evisceration. Felicity Matthews looks both backwards over the last five […]

Posted in: Informing and engaging citizens, Parliament
How “black knights” such as Vladimir Putin’s Russia help dictators survive elections
By 07/12/2015 16 Comments Read More →

How “black knights” such as Vladimir Putin’s Russia help dictators survive elections

Democracy is facing challenging times due to a number of factors which span national, religious, and political divides. Jakob Tolstrup argues that “black knights” such as Vladimir Putin’s Russia have played a large role in subverting the democratic process in neighbouring states in pursuit of their own geopolitical goals.  Similar PostsThe post-fact world: six steps you […]

Posted in: Informing and engaging citizens
Book Review: Making British Law: Committees in Action by Louise Thompson
By 06/12/2015 14 Comments Read More →

Book Review: Making British Law: Committees in Action by Louise Thompson

In Making British Law: Committees in Action, Louise Thompson presents a history and statistical analysis of the work of bill committees – formerly known as standing committees – and their influence over the process of making British law. Thompson offers a well-evidenced argument that goes beyond the statistics to persuasively account for the role and importance […]

Posted in: Achieving accountable government, Parliament
People protest for many reasons, yet we don’t know how effective protests are
By 05/12/2015 7 Comments Read More →

People protest for many reasons, yet we don’t know how effective protests are

On the 17th October, over 20,000 people marched on Parliament Square in London. Why do people take to the streets, and does it make a difference? Interwoven issues of grievances, efficacy, identity, emotions and social embeddedness help answer why. However, there’s a gap in our understanding of when and how demonstrations affect political agendas. Here, Jacquelien […]

Posted in: Informing and engaging citizens
« Previous Page — Next Page »