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Articles on Political representation

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‘Chile Decides’ whether to change its military dictatorship-era constitution at a popular referendum on Oct. 25. Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images

Chile puts its constitution on the ballot after year of civil unrest

On Oct. 25 Chile will decide whether to replace its dictatorship-era constitution with a new one written wholly by the Chilean people. The vote shows how protests can change the course of a nation.
In Europe, women politicians were even more likely to respond to female constituents who asked for help. Ponomariova_Maria via Getty

Women politicians more likely to reply to people who reach out in need, study shows

Researchers posed as constituents and emailed 3,685 legislators in 11 countries in Europe and Latin America to ask for help. Responsiveness varied by gender by up to 13 percentage points.
Democratic vice-presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19 in Delaware. Why wasn’t she the presidential nominee? Strategic discrimination by primary voters may explain. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

How race and gender affect who looks like a winner

Why are women and people of colour under-represented in politics? Part of the problem is strategic discrimination, or concern about other people’s biases.
Public outrage followed the 2012 gang rape of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in Delhi, India. Here, demonstrators call for justice at the one-year anniversary of the incident. Reuters/Anindito Mukherjee

India has a sexual assault problem that only women can fix

India is the most dangerous country for women in 2018, according to a new survey. Putting more women in government is a necessary first step in preventing rape and better protecting abuse survivors.
Choosing Cairns or Townsville as a northern Queensland capital would set off a political storm, as would new regional governments around Australia. Dan Peled/AAP

If we scrapped the states, increasing Canberra’s clout would be a backward step

Federal politicians and the public like the idea of abolishing the states. But consider the likely result: a more powerful Canberra, with regional governments amounting to glorified shire councils.
The imperative for major reform of Australia’s political and policy processes is more real and urgent than ever. AAP/Lukas Coch

Australia needs to lead again on democratic innovation

Australia’s national politicians again need to step up and lead the way on the inevitable process of national and global democratic innovation.

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