While EU member states took leading roles the NATO operation in Libya, the role of the EU itself was limited largely to the provision of humanitarian assistance. Despite a positive track record in crisis management missions and operations on three continents, the EU’s capacity to effect positive change in its southern neighbourhood remains in doubt, writes POLSIS’s … Continue reading “Libya’s Arab Spring: What lessons for the EU?”
Category: Comment and analysis
Euro 2012 and the UK’s ‘Semi-boycott’
This post first appeared on e-International Relations England’s (not such a) shock-defeat to Italy may still be raw in the nation’s collective consciousness, but hey, look on the bright side: at least the government can stop agonising over whether ministers should attend the final. POLSIS’ Jonathan Grix explores the curious case of the UK semi-boycott … Continue reading “Euro 2012 and the UK’s ‘Semi-boycott’”
From Diana to the Diamond Jubilee: The Royal Family, Postmodern Pastiche and Consumerism
With the nation’s bunting safely packed away until the next ‘once in a lifetime’ event, POLSIS PhD researcher Alex Oaten reflects on what the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend tells us about contemporary consumerist culture. Being trapped in a weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations is tough when you are an ill tempered Republican, trying to find … Continue reading “From Diana to the Diamond Jubilee: The Royal Family, Postmodern Pastiche and Consumerism”
Migration, Marriage and Muscular Liberalism: Competing Claims But a Common Goal
This post was originally featured on Migration Pulse, the blog of the Migrants’ Rights Network. Two policies announced this week – the introduction of restrictions on family migration, and the criminalisation of forced marriage – highlight an instrumental use of human rights discourse by the Government to reinforce British sovereignty and citizenship, based on the … Continue reading “Migration, Marriage and Muscular Liberalism: Competing Claims But a Common Goal”
Rand Paul Supports Mitt Romney?!
Republican Senator Rand Paul, son of libertarian godfather Ron Paul, this month controversially endorsed Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidential nomination. POLSIS PhD candidate Jake Diliberto examines the consequences for Paul Sr.’s grassroots libertarians of what some in the movement see as an act of treachery by one of their favourite sons. This news is … Continue reading “Rand Paul Supports Mitt Romney?!”
Leadership, Diplomacy, and Institutional Design: A Model for Understanding the Arab Spring?
Across the Middle East and North Africa, the impact of the Arab Spring has been as varied as it has been profound. Professor Stefan Wolff discusses three ‘essential ingredients’ that will determine whether regime transitions can be managed successfully. The Arab Spring has ushered in a new period of political development across the Middle East and … Continue reading “Leadership, Diplomacy, and Institutional Design: A Model for Understanding the Arab Spring?”
The banking union: a bridge too far for the City?
The European Commission backs it. The ECB backs it. The leaders of France, Italy, Spain, and (possibly) Germany back it. A ‘banking union’ may save Europe’s banks, but does it also spell the end for the single market in financial services? POLSIS PhD researcher Samuel McPhilemy examines the implications of the latest plan to resolve … Continue reading “The banking union: a bridge too far for the City?”
The re-politicisation of abortion in the UK
Recent attacks on abortion provision are part of a broader strategy aimed at eroding abortion rights, writes POLSIS PhD candidate Fran Amery. In recent months, abortion has once again become a hot topic in British politics and in the media. In September last year, MPs debated a proposed amendment to the Health and Social Care … Continue reading “The re-politicisation of abortion in the UK”
Changing the ‘weather’ in British Politics? The potential impact of the Leveson Inquiry on the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press
Colin Thain, Head of Department at POLSIS, suggests that the Leveson Inquiry could end up by being one of the most significant inquiries into the nature and rules of the game of British politics. Forget about all the plays and musicals on in the west end of London, the place for high drama and theatre … Continue reading “Changing the ‘weather’ in British Politics? The potential impact of the Leveson Inquiry on the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press”
Dr David Toke discusses nuclear power on the BBC
With the government today releasing its Draft Energy Bill, POLSIS Senior Lecturer Dr David Toke was this morning ‘across the BBC’ (OK not quite, but he did appear on both Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live). David discussed his view that the government’s proposals for a new generation of nuclear power stations is unlikely to … Continue reading “Dr David Toke discusses nuclear power on the BBC”