Analysis

How the ancient Greeks kept ruthless narcissists from capturing their democracy – and what modern politics could learn from them

— Those who seek power for the sake of power are less attracted to high office when more people get a say.

Long-Read

Could post-Brexit Britain lead global AI regulation?

— Professor Chris Grey on the UK’s ambition to lead global AI regulation after Brexit, and the challenges and opportunities it faces, with the competition from other countries and regions, especially the EU.

Analysis

Why report into misleading parliament still matters, even after Boris Johnson resigned as an MP

— The privileges process is a vital part of the British constitution, so what the committee investigating Boris Johnson decides matters for future precedent, even if he is gone.

Russia

How Putin’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda is an attempt to build support for the invasion of Ukraine

— Vladimir Putin’s anti-queer campaign is just part of his continued manipulation of information.

Analysis

Boris Johnson: Freed from the constraints of office, the former prime minister could be even more dangerous

— The House of Commons Committee on Privileges has called for former PM Boris Johnson to be barred from having a former member’s pass, and with good reason.

UK Politics

Boris Johnson has triggered a bumper by-election bonanza – I studied 148 past contests to find out what we can expect

— Boris Johnson and two of his supporters have left parliament, triggering three by-elections which could be crucial for the future of British politics. What can the history and patterns of by-elections tell us about the chances of a change in power?

Donald Trump

Trump’s fate will be decided by 12 citizen peers, in a hallowed tradition of US democracy

— Donald Trump’s defenders have alleged that his indictment is a politically motivated “witch hunt” by the Biden administration when his fate lies in the hands of a 12-member jury, not the federal government. The Sixth Amendment ensures a jury trial, protecting him from potential government overreach.

UK Politics

Caroline Lucas and the heavy burden of being a party’s only member of parliament

— As the only Green parliamentarian, Caroline Lucas has served as a constituency MP but also as a representative of the hundreds of thousands of other people who vote for her party.

War in Ukraine

What Ukraine dam breach means for the country’s counteroffensive and aid deployment

— The breaching of the Nova Kakhovka dam presents massive challenges for Ukraine as it launches its long-awaited offensive. The event is being discussed as a possible war crime and an act of terror, and is certainly going to influence events on the battlefield.

Psychology

Is there a tipping point for Trump supporters to stop backing him?

— A psychologist looks at if there is anything Donald Trump could do that might stop his supporters in their tracks.

Immigration

What does high immigration mean for the government’s popularity?

— High immigration rates correlate with increased support for the governing party and lower unemployment rates. Legal immigration has little economic impact, but illegal immigration causes fear and anxiety. To win elections, parties must address irregular arrivals and emphasize immigration benefits.

Inflation

Why UK inflation is so high compared to the EU and US, and what to do about it

— UK inflation has been stubbornly high, and interest rate hikes have not yet brought it in line with other advanced economies.

Brexit

How did ‘taking back control’ of borders become record-high net migration?

— After Brexit, the UK has had fewer migrants from the EU, but they have been far outstripped by people coming from elsewhere.

UK Politics

Why a Labour-Lib Dem coalition wouldn’t cause electoral annihilation like their deal with the Tories

— Labour and Lib Dem leaders deny potential coalition for the next general election. However, ideological proximity favours a Lib Dem-Labour partnership.

UK Farmers

Food prices are rising but farmers’ profits are still small

— As a Downing Street summit discussed UK food crisis, highlighting the need for transparency and fairness in supply chains, over 4 million people in the food industry struggle due to an unfair system with low wages and unequal marginal costs across the chain.

France

Emmanuel Macron: A French president whose populist tactics are derailing his own career

— French president Emmanuel Macron is facing a political crisis unprecedented in contemporary times.