Machiavelli: power, transition and institutional change
In 1513 Machiavelli provided a seminal analysis of the flow of power in Europe. The ideas defined in "The Prince" have inspired political thinkers ever since. At the time his…
Would a new Scottish Tory party succeed? Not under Murdo Fraser
Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has made headlines by proposing that his party split from the Tories in England. Like Bavaria's CSU, they would support the Tory…
The alienated ‘Multitude’: ‘the Class’ of the 21st century
Throughout the 20th century development amongst workers of 'class consciousness', the subjective awareness of ones objective class interests, was seen as central to the hopes of achieving a transition away…
James Murdoch accepts 74% pay rise to $17m
James Murdoch has accepted a pay rise of 74%. That's right, after the phone hacking scandal, closure of News of the World, and his messy evidence at Parliament, the hereditory…
Northern Irish Greens 2011 – Election Review
After reading Peter and Sam’s post-election thoughts on Green performance in Scotland and Wales, I thought I’d complete the regional picture. Less than a week after the Assembly elections in…
No shock doctrine for Libya
To say that the West's involvement in Libya was all about oil was always far too simplistic. For any country to commit military force, a number of people must conclude…
Call in the army? Remember Northern Ireland…
At the time of writing, it’s difficult to comprehend the scale of the trouble in London, not to mention Birmingham, Leeds or Liverpool. One thing is for sure though: the…
Northern Ireland – Still The Worst Region of the UK to be LGBT
Last Saturday saw Belfast’s annual Pride parade take to the streets. It’s a celebration that will be familiar to many cities across the world. It’s a lively day with an…
Labour, loveable institutions, elections and the real big picture: a scattershot attempt to start a painful discussion
02:59 in a bedroom in Belfast is the wrong time and place to get deeply restless and fired up for a new, robust, proud and striving social democracy. And, as…
Love in a time of Anguish
Ruth lives in Tromsø, and writes from Oslo. “Kjærligheten vil vinner over hatet” ”Love will win over hate” So were the words of a young Utøya survivor. The Mayor followed…