Europe

Analysis and Comment (33)

3vs2gshk-1371034382
Greek protestors take to streets after the ERT shutdown. Yanis Varoufakis

The view from the studio, as Greece’s state TV was shut

By Yanis Varoufakis, University of Athens

For those of us who grew up in the Greece of the neo-fascist colonels, nothing can stir up painful memories like a modern act of totalitarianism. When the television screen froze last night, an hour before…
Fky2bm5t-1370860774
1066 and all that: Britain’s early relationship with her European neighbours has long been fraught with difficulty. The Bayeux Tapestry

The princess and the pea (or why Britain and Europe make awkward bedfellows)

By Ivor Gaber, City University London

Foundation essay: This essay on Britain’s relationship with Europe by Ivor Gaber, professor of political journalism at City University, London and the University of Bedfordshire, is part of a series of…
Wj953g6p-1368716749
There are three routes open to the Prime Minister. Niccola Caranti

Explainer: renegotiating the UK’s position in the EU

By Daniel Wilsher, City University London

With more than a hundred MPs voting to amend the Queen’s Speech this week, the UK’s role in Europe continues to confound politicians and citizens alike. Among all the chatter, it’s hard to get a sense…
M93pxyrb-1368650660
On the noes: more than 100 Tory MPs voted for an amendment to the Queen’s Speech last night in a huge rebuff to the PM on Europe. PA Wire

Cameron in crisis as Tories' glass jaw exposed again by huge Commons rebellion

By Philip Cowley, University of Nottingham

When more than 100 Conservative MPs vote for an amendment to their own government’s Queen’s Speech, it is more than a rebellion – it is historically unprecedented. And despite David Cameron’s insistence…
R94ggvv5-1367216967
Google might soon seal a deal with the European Commission regarding alleged abuses. Jessica M. Cross

Google proposes to the European Commission, but hold the confetti

By Angela Daly, Swinburne University of Technology

It’s taken nearly three years, but the European Commission and Google last week reached some form of agreement regarding alleged abuses of the search engine’s dominant position in the European Union…
2jnbbyw8-1365117869
The plans of far-right Greek political party Golden Dawn to visit Australia have caused much consternation in the local Greek diaspora communities. EPA/STR

Golden Dawn: Greek fascists come Down Under

By James Arvanitakis, University of Western Sydney

Melbourne has long been known as one of the biggest cities for Greek diaspora in the world, and the “world’s most liveable city” is fast becoming the latest battleground for the swelling fascist movement…
Jpqt3w9p-1363063344
Every Parent’s Nightmare tells the true story of Australian Jock Palfreeman, caught in Bulgaria’s corrupt legal system. ABC TV/AAP

The case of Jock Palfreeman and the human rights of Australians overseas

By Adam Fletcher, Monash University

Australians running into trouble with the law overseas is a common topic in the news. The coverage is usually fleeting, ending with the announcement of a conviction or, less often, an acquittal. Belinda…
Vyk7zgh2-1353384147
Catalans marching in favour of independence. Flickr/Rob Shenk

Catalonia: one step closer to independence?

By Carlos Uxo, La Trobe University

On 25 November Catalans will go to the polls in what will be their 11th regional elections since Spain’s return to democracy after Franco’s death in 1975. This time, however, Catalans will be voting much…
Tsbtvpp7-1350876228
Mitt Romney outside 10 Downing Street during his gaffe-plagued trip to Europe earlier this year. EPA/Neil Munns

A Romney presidency: the implications for Europe

By Binoy Kampmark, RMIT University

There is less than a week to go in the US presidential race, and the candidates are coming agonisingly close in various battleground states. Imagining Mitt Romney in the White House might turn a few Democrat…
9q5hqq7n-1347500788
Catalans march though the streets of Barcelona demanding independence. Maria Poblet

Catalonia: independent but united with Europe?

By Marta Poblet, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Pompeu Casanovas, Victoria University

In the biggest rally for Catalan independence ever, an estimated crowd of 1.5 million people flooded the city of Barcelona with red-and-yellow striped flags on Catalonia’s national day, the Diada. Tax…
Qvfjsnxt-1347250723
Over summer, the US has been dry and hot. It’s not alone. EPA/Larry W Smith

Northern hemisphere has another hot, hot summer

By Blair Trewin, Australian Bureau of Meteorology

The 2012 northern hemisphere summer, like its two predecessors, has seen a wide range of climate extremes, many involving heat. In most recent summers there has been at least one part of the world with…
37vwcnbz-1337236364
Generation Nothing: Spanish protestors against austerity in Cadiz. Aleksandra Hadzelek

Spain: dispatches from the frontline of the indignados movement

By Aleksandra Hadzelek, University of Technology, Sydney

This week marked the first anniversary of the 15-M movement, a precursor of Occupy movements worldwide. 15-M again mobilised its supporters for a 4-day long program of street protests culminating in a…
Spdw4g6h-1337125263
German chancellor Angela Merkel and France’s new President Francois Hollande meet to discuss Europe’s economic woes. EPA/Rainer Jensen

Hollande and Merkel: breaking up is hard to do

By Binoy Kampmark, RMIT University

Europe is in economic dire straits and the two most powerful economies on the continent are, at least on paper, led by individuals with considerable differences. The previous French President Nicolas…
64gqjjmm-1334794661
Nicolas Sarkozy will seek another term as President of France this Sunday. EPA/Christophe Karaba

France 2012: Sarkozy’s ugly campaign

By Aurelien Mondon, University of Bath

The first round of the French Presidential election is set to take place this Sunday. The latest polls show that right-wing president Nicolas Sarkozy and his centre-left contender François Hollande are…
Dt47xm9m-1330493402
Demonstrators in front of Standard & Poor’s credit rating agency offices in Paris 15 January 2012. AAP

Why we should be wary of ratings agencies

By Imad Moosa, RMIT University

For decades, credit ratings agencies were largely ignored by the masses, but in recent months they have continued to hit the headlines again and again. The big three (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and…
R6ftk2zz-1324265636
Crowds in Prague mourn the passing of former President and national hero Vaclav Havel. AAP/Singer

Václav Havel: a biographer’s account

By John Keane

Václav Havel has died aged 75. A poet and playwright, a political writer, dissident and a politician, Havel was the tenth and last President of Czechoslovakia, and the first President of the Czech Republic…
Mqc39c6q-1323649107
British Prime Minister David Cameron can’t escape domestic politics when it comes to Europe. EPA/Olivier Hoslet

Euroscepticism at home ties Cameron’s hands in Europe

By Ben Wellings

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to veto the new European Union agreement for greater financial stability in the Eurozone reminds us that despite the talk of greater European integration…
Swan2-jpg-1322533105-1322533139
Treasurer Wayne Swan is maintaining a slimmed down surplus for 2012-2013 – but storm clouds are rolling over the global economy. AAP

Slimmed down surplus as Swan unveils mid-year budget: experts respond

By Sinclair Davidson, RMIT University; George Argyrous; John Vaz, Monash University; Michael Rafferty, and Steve Keen, University of Western Sydney

The Federal Government is still aiming to deliver a slimmed down surplus next financial year, but has downgraded economic growth forecasts amid a slowing world economy and news that Europe may already…
Hitler_mussolini_flickr_galaxy_fm
Mussolini made the trains run on time. But having a strong leader is risky. Flickr/Galaxy FM

Forget politicians – be a dictator for a day and get the job done

By Mark Rolfe

“If I Ruled The World” was a tune made famous decades ago by English comedian and singer Harry Secombe who sang of making every day the first day of spring as well as other miraculous improvements. It…
Sarkozygrimace
Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy must take drastic steps to maintain the legitimacy of EU institutions. AAP

It’s time for Europe to show some courage

By Philomena Murray, University of Melbourne

The European Union is in crisis – yet again. If you enter “Europe in crisis” into Google, more than 655 million entries pop up. Europe’s current problems are being described as a Euro crisis – it is a…
Aapone-20100707000244370877-france_government_sarkozy_hospital-original-1315546590
French President Nicolas Sarkozy should be worried about the upcoming elections. EPA/Yoan Valat

France 2012: Sarkozy’s tough road ahead

By Aurelien Mondon, University of Bath

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has a tight fight on his hands. He’ll be taking on the Socialist Party’s Francois Hollande in the elections next year. And he could struggle to get a second term. Four…
15-m
15-M started in Spain, but it has sparked protests around the globe. EPA/Jesus Diges

15-M back on Spain’s streets as protest goes global

By Ramón Andrés Feenstra, Universitat Jaume I

This weekend Spain will see the return of its “revolution”. Those involved in the 15-M movement will once again take to the streets en masse to demand urgent reforms. Under the motto “united for a global…
Pic_-_europe_trouble_greece
Greeks protest the austerity measures put in place during the ongoing debt crisis. AAP

Hey buddy, can you spare a paradigm? European politics and bankruptcy

By Jan Zielonka, University of Oxford

Europe is in crisis once again and this time it is deadly serious. At stake is not only the survival of the European currency, but also of the entire integration project. Collapse of the Euro could trigger…
Aapone-20110724000333786402-norway-attacks-breivik-combo-original-1311831977
The lawyer for the self-confessed Norway killer, Anders Breivik will enter a plea of insanity AFP photo/Facebook – Youtube.

The lone mad man? Breivik’s lunacy label stops vital questions

By Binoy Kampmark, RMIT University

Societies, if we are to take the Freudian line, prefer to subordinate chaotic urges in favour of dull order. Civilization implies stability. By the nineteenth century, human society was digesting a range…
Nikchriang
Nicolas Sarkozy, Christine Lagarde and Angela Merkel share a joke at Thursday’s Greece bailout talks. AAP

Greece is safe for now; but could Italy push Europe over the edge?

By Joseph Halevi

European leaders signed off on a second, 109 billion euro bailout for Greece overnight, while also establishing what has been described as an “infant monetary fund” to intervene if the bloc’s sovereign…
Top_shot_again
Many Greeks are ashamed by what has happened to their country. EPA/Orestis Panagiotou

Greece debt crisis threatens democracy

By John Keane

Athens is no longer considered by scholars as the birthplace of democracy but all of a sudden it has become the epicentre of a powerful political earthquake rocking the foundations of every democracy in…

Research and News (1)

Research Briefs (2)

Participants (147)