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?”
Staff 3-2 Students: Match Report!
On the 6th of June 2012, the teaching staff of POLSIS took on a select band of undergraduates in the annual football game. The POLSIS Blog dispatched football correspond Angus Nore-Hoghorris (who is totally impartial and has absolutely no conflict of interest with the staff team) for this once-a-year encounter. It was Friedrich Nietzsche who … Continue reading “Staff 3-2 Students: Match Report!”
Iran’s nuclear programme – videos uploaded
On April 25th, the University of Birmingham’s new Institute for Conflict, Cooperation and Security held an event to assess the options for cooperation and conflict surrounding the Iranian nuclear programme. Please note that this footage is of the speakers’ prepared remarks only. The Q&A in each session was held under the Chatham House Rule. Details … Continue reading “Iran’s nuclear programme – videos uploaded”
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”
Social Democracy and its Future
Next Friday, the School of Government and Society will host what is sure to be a fascinating roundtable discussion on the future of social democracy, with Labour Party grandee Roy Hattersley and several other prominent academics and commentators. The publication of Roy Hattersley and Kevin Hickson’s article `In praise of social democracy’ in Political Quarterly … Continue reading “Social Democracy and its Future”
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”