Top Stories

magna carta, parliamentary systems, representation

In Praise of Parliament

October 1, 2015

Bronwyn Bishop, former Speaker of Australia's House of Representatives, argues Parliament remains the bulwark for individual freedom

Opinion
public opinion, statistics

Trends in Australian Political Opinion

February 20, 2014

Data from the Australian National University illustrates trends in Australian public opinion on politics over a 25 year period. 

Report
Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott, climate change, marriage equality

Turnbull Must Break With Past Attempts to Keep the Future at Bay

September 23, 2015

The University of Melbourne's Mark Triffitt asks how Malcolm Turnbull will deliver on his promise of a 21st Century government

Opinion
money politics, political donations, special interests

Money Talks Loudly in 2014 US Congress Elections

October 30, 2014

Anthony Zurcher in a blog for the BBC reviews the burgeoning infuence of campaign finance in deciding the result of the 2014 US Congressional elections. 

Opinion
direct democracy, citizen reengagement, special interests

Is Direct Democracy the Answer for US Politics?

August 20, 1997

Former US Congressman Lee Hamilton ponders the pros and cons of using direct democracy to reinvigorate the American political system. 

Opinion
free speech, transparency

Democracy is Undermined When Dissent is Silenced

September 23, 2015

The University of Melbourne's Sarah Maddison argues Australian democracy is like a frog slowly boiling to death.

Opinion
major parties, trust, democratic disconnect

The Increasing Democratic Deficit in Europe

March 4, 2014

Hans Keman of VU University Amsterdam analyses the democratic performance and legitimacy of political parties across 20 European nations from 1990 to 2010. 

Academic
policy making, special interests, economic inequality

Elites, Interest Groups and Average Citizens

September 18, 2014

Martin Gilens of Princeton University and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University find that economic elites and business-based interest groups drive US policy.

Academic
disability, citizen disengagement

Citizen Innovators: A New Model of Disability Services?

August 9, 2015

Democracy requires active participation by all citizens, including those with disabilities, writes Catherine Needham of the University of Birmingham.

Academic

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