Why South Africa’s public protector has overstepped her mandate
The prevailing mandate of the South African Reserve Bank is informed by sound economics and the need to protect the institution from the whims of politicians.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Democracy
Displaying 1 - 20 of 403 articles
Australians are increasingly non-partisan: Morrison
Scott Morrison's comments reflect the concern in the government at the difficulty it is finding in cutting through to the electorate.
Politics podcast: Gladys Berejiklian on the need to reform federal-state partnerships
Politics podcast: Gladys Berejiklian on the need to reform federal-state partnerships.
With her government having just handed down a budget with an enviable surplus, Gladys Berejiklian says the Gonski legislation will leave NSW better off 'in terms of dollars'.
South Africa’s central bank row points to dangerous levels of intolerance
A financial system that is sure to collapse if the central bank cares about people’s well-being goes against democratic principle.
The threat to South Africa’s democracy runs deeper than state capture
South Africa's democracy is in trouble. But the challenge is less about who should control state institutions, and more about how they can be refashioned to deliver to the poor.
Is Trump’s definition of ‘the rule of law’ the same as the US Constitution’s?
The rule of law can take on different meanings depending whom you ask and where you are – but in the US it pretty much means one thing.
South Africa will need a government of national healing after Zuma leaves
South Africa needs to start thinking about life after President Jacob Zuma. Given the damage that he's done, serious thought should be given to forming a government of national unity.
Surge in young voters is the first sign of a return to proud working-class politics
Younger voters have been patronised and overlooked for too long – and when politics is meaningful for them, they take part with gusto.
Modi and Erdoğan: strong leaders putting their democracies in peril
The leaders of Turkey and India have plenty in common.
Four reasons why the French parliamentary elections matter
Emmanuel Macron may have won the presidential election, but his agenda could fail if his party doesn't get a majority in Parliament.
Democracy is looking sickly across southern Africa
Democracy is in a parlous state in many countries in southern Africa. Autocrats hold onto power, while electorates have little to choose from at the polls.
Speak. Vote. Debate. Meet. Repeat. Why the mental health of MPs is at risk
Workplaces stresses and the weight of great expectations take a toll on well-being.
Charting a course to government by the crowd, for the crowd
The internet has been the bogeyman of democracy over the last 12 months. It's time to harness its power and redress the balance.
Making sense of Russiagate: what do Russians think?
Russian media both hint toward the Russian regime’s prowess in influencing the US election, while simultaneously treating the accusation as baseless Western propaganda.
We can hate ‘elites’ but they helped build modern democracy
Over the past 300 years, Western educated elites have debated, founded and expanded the right to vote.
Trump’s Saudi Arabia speech confirms massive shift in US foreign policy
For Trump, putting America first means that being a global leader on human rights may take a back seat.
Why we need an international freedom movement
There are groundswells of civic engagement in a handful of countries, but ensuring the survival of fundamental freedoms in these dangerous times will require a resistance that knows no borders.
Hungary cracks down on foreign funding, dealing a harsh blow to NGOs — and to European democracy
FROM OUR ARCHIVES (UPDATED) Hungary has passed a law monitoring the finances of foreign-funded NGOs, another blow to civil society in Viktor Orban's increasingly "illiberal democracy".
The French election shows the democratic limits of the country’s presidential system
France seems more divided than ever going into the run-off vote between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen on May 7.
Ethiopia can convert its youth bulge from a political problem into an opportunity
Over 70% of Ethiopia's population is under 30 years of age. This can be converted to economic muscle if policies are introduced to tackle the high unemployment levels in the country.
Top contributors
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Professor of Politics, University of Sydney
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Assistant Professor in Politics, University of Canberra
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Associate Professor of Politics, Australian Catholic University
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Assistant researcher, University of Sydney
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Research Fellow, Sydney Democracy Network, University of Sydney
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Professor of International Politics, University of Western Australia
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Professor of Governance and Director of the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis and NATSEM, University of Canberra
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Professor of World Politics, SOAS, University of London
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Emeritus Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University
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Adjunct Professor, University of Sydney
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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ARC Laureate Fellow, Professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney and McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Harvard University
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Lecturer, Public Policy and Politics, University of Melbourne
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Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham
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Director of Postgraduate Studies, Human Rights Centre, University of Essex
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