Why distrust in powerful politicians is part of a functioning democracy – podcast: Surveys suggest that in many western democracies, political trust is at rock bottom. Scandals, corruption, faltering economies, conspiracy theories and swirling disinformation are all playing their part. But is it really such a bad thing for people living in a democracy to …
Why are female politicians more often targeted with violence? New findings confirm depressing suspicions: Shutterstock/Gannvector Despite some progress, women remain seriously underrepresented in politics globally. As of 2023, women held only 26% of parliamentary seats and 15.8% of the positions as heads of state or government. My new research with colleagues raises one possible factor …
South African politicians vs judges: new book defends the constitution: In 1994, South Africa became a democracy founded on a supreme constitution. The constitution’s preamble affirms the nation’s quest to establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights. The constitution clearly envisioned political accountability and judicial review of executive and …
Israel-Palestine conflict divides South African politicians – what their responses reveal about historical alliances: Hamas’ brazen and deadly attack on Israel on October 7 elicited varied responses within the South African political scene. These diverse reactions reflect the long history, since before democracy in 1994, of South African engagement with the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The conflict …
Don’t look there: how politicians divert our attention from climate protesters’ claims: The right to protest is a distinctive feature of democratic, liberal societies. Yet the way in which many leading British politicians are currently talking about Just Stop Oil might make you think otherwise. Far from engaging with the issues at stake in these …
Young Zimbabweans are using YouTube to ridicule politicians and educate voters: As Zimbabwe holds its 2023 elections, young creatives are taking to social media like YouTube to discuss politics and to create comic spoofs and critiques that speak back to the country’s autocratic government. One notable social commentator is Taffy Theman (Tafadzwa Ngubozabo), who hosts …
Kenya’s politicians continue to use ethnicity to divide and rule – 60 years after independence: Protesters in Kisumu confront police officers after Kenya's disputed 2017 elections. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images Since independence in 1963, Kenya’s politicians have fed and manipulated ethnicity to win elections. With some 40-odd ethnic groups, Kenya is a country of …
Minority ethnic politicians are pushing harsh immigration policies – why representation doesn’t always mean racial justice: There’s no question that British politics is becoming more diverse. From only four minority ethnic MPs elected in 1987, now 67 MPs are from a minority ethnic background. The Scottish first minister, Humza Yousaf, recently became the first minority …
Scotland’s medieval Declaration of Arbroath is too important for cherry picking by politicians: As long as a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be subjected to the lordship of the English. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom alone, …
Politicians love to appeal to common sense – but does it trump expertise?: Common sense is broadly defined as a shared set of beliefs and approaches to thinking about the world. elenabsl/Shutterstock Politicians love to talk about the benefits of “common sense” – often by pitting it against the words of “experts and elites”. But …
Crypto trading: politicians who say it should be treated like gambling are completely wrong: No ifs or bits. Ground Picture Cryptocurrency trading should be regulated in the same way as gambling, according to the UK parliamentary select committee in charge of scrutinising finance. The committee published a report arguing that this was necessary because digital …
Women politicians pay too high a personal cost for their leadership: EPA/Robert Perry In the wake of her decision to resign, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s outgoing first minister, said that life for women politicians who “put their head above the parapet” is “much harsher” and “more hostile” now than at any time in her decades-long career. …
Politicians weren’t confident discussing Brexit – my analysis of parliamentary debates shows how: We can learn a lot about politicians’ true intentions by paying attention not just to what they say, but how they say it. In speeches and debates, certain words and phrases reflect their commitments to political, social and economic ideas. Through legislation, …
Adriaan Vlok: the case for accepting the late South African politician’s apology for apartheid: Adriaan Vlok, the late South African apartheid-era police minister. Paballo Thekiso/ AFP via Getty Images The recent death of Adriaan Vlok, the prominent South African apartheid-era law and order minister, brought the issue of political apologies for past wrongs back into …
Politicians are getting older – shutting young people out of decision-making around the world: US president Joe Biden is clearly frustrated about the focus on his age. In mid-December last year he reportedly vented to allies, saying: “You think I don’t know how fucking old I am?” But, as attention turns to the 2024 election, …
Calling politicians ‘clowns’ is a disservice to clowns – yes, really: Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock A recent Labour party campaign mocked short-lived prime minister Liz Truss and current chancellor Jeremy Hunt as clowns, complete with photoshopped red noses, colourful wigs and oversize bowties. This advertisement echoed years of similar criticisms of former prime minister …
What do politicians really think of economists? Our new research explains why relations fell apart after 2008: ESB Professional / Shutterstock As countries across Europe and around the world grapple with high living costs and impending recession, voters are concerned about the economy and how their elected representatives will fix it. For many, it’s tempting …
Just Stop Oil: research shows how activists and politicians talk differently about climate change: The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has grasped public attention with a series of “art action” stunts targeting famous paintings and buildings with cans of soup and paint. They have climbed motorway gantries, blocking drivers on the M25. Their message …