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Articles on Constitution

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Former South African president Thabo Mbeki at May Day celebrations in 2003. He failed to challenge a decision by the ANC to recall him in 2008. EPA

Thabo Mbeki undermined South Africa’s constitution by putting his party first

Former South Africa’s President, Thab Mbeki, has made a remarkable intervention that condemns parliament’s failure to act against President Jacob Zuma. But he is eight years too late.
A student passes South African riot police during free education protests at Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Why the notion of free higher education in South Africa is misplaced

Some students argue wrongly that the ANC has betrayed the promise of free higher education made in the Freedom Charter. The governing party’s populism is also to blame for the confusion.
Election officials scan voters’ identity documents during South Africa’s local government elections in Umlazi, Durban. Reuters/Rogan Ward

South Africans have made their voices heard. Now what for local councils?

Many municipalities in the South Africa don’t function properly because of poor management and administrative capacity. They don’t have enough appropriately qualified and experienced staff.
An integrated reform blueprint for federal and state politics could comprise eight elements. Chris Wilson/Flickr

Eight ways to clean up money in Australian politics

Political funding in Australia is governed by different rules for state (some of which do not require disclosure) and federal governments. And both levels suffer significant weaknesses.
Masked sex workers lead a march to mark International Sex Workers’ Rights Day. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Debate around sex work in South Africa tilts towards decriminalisation

Sex workers in South Africa are all potential criminals due to the country’s regressive laws. But their status may change soon, making South Africa the first African country to decriminalise sex work.
John Curtin and Ben Chifley were successful in expanding the power of the Commonwealth – and thus that of the prime minister. AAP/Alan Porritt

Lacking a script, individuals drove the evolution of prime ministerial power

Alfred Deakin and his contemporaries invented the Australian prime ministership. But it was not settled as a platform for national leadership until John Curtin and Ben Chifley’s time.
In many important areas of Australia’s system of government, much is determined by unwritten rules – or what we call ‘constitutional conventions’. Archives New Zealand

How unwritten rules shape ministerial accountability

Australia’s Constitution sets the ground rules for its system of government. But many things one might expect to be in the Constitution are simply not there.

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