Democracy and government

“Only war makes it possible to mobilize all of today’s technical resources while maintaining the property system.”

- Walter Benjamin, 1936

A new dawn for the Unions? Frances O’Grady and economic democracy

Niki Seth-Smith 30 April 2013

The TUC’s new General Secretary seems to represent real change in the 'pale, male, stale' world of British unions. But can she shake them up in policy terms, and draw in the energy of a disparate anti-austerity movement?

This week's window on the Middle East - April 29, 2013

Arab Awakening 30 April 2013

Arab Awakening's columnists offer their weekly perspective on what is happening on the ground in the Middle East. Leading the week, Attack on the French Embassy in Tripoli: what now for Libya?

Attack on the French Embassy in Tripoli: what now for Libya?

Rhiannon Smith 30 April 2013

Foreign companies and investors already unsure about returning to Libya will be further dissuaded by this targeting of a foreign embassy in the heart of Tripoli.

Final draft of Tunisia’s new constitution released

Sana Ajmi 30 April 2013

After long heated debates, a final draft of Tunisia’s new constitution was released last week by the National Constituent Assembly.

Middle East football scores own goal

Sarah El-Richani 30 April 2013

The intermingling of sports, politics and identity in the region makes it too important to be overlooked.

The genocide trial of Rios Montt

Matthew Kennis 30 April 2013

In March began the trial of ex-Guatemalan dictator Rios Montt, who is accused of having orchestrated genocide and crimes against humanity during his 1982-1983 rule. While the trial is an achievement in itself, obscure legal battles make its outcome highly unpredictable.

How the cookie crumbles

Dmitri Travin 30 April 2013

Vladimir Putin has long paid lip service to the notion that his government should address the problem of corruption. Is his new campaign for real, or will it be more of a shootout between corrupt officials and businessmen with more or less support from on high?

No-go areas and arms deals

Rori Donaghy 30 April 2013

With a worsening human rights record that includes the alleged torture of both British and Emirati citizens, shouldn’t this visit also be a chance to raise issues of concern with the president of the UAE?

Qatar and the US have a working relationship

Michael Stephens 30 April 2013

The differences concerning Israel, the occasionally troublesome Al Jazeera network, and Qatar’s hosting and funding of hard-line Islamists have been papered over in favour of larger strategic visions which ensure the interests of both parties.

UK surveillance law: a warning, and a call for a different future

Open Rights Group 30 April 2013

The British are being tracked, more than we have ever been. A new report sets out what this means for the everyday citizen, and calls for more targeted, more accountable surveillance laws.

Is there any austerity in the UK?

Nick Pearce 30 April 2013

The Coalition is not cutting the deficit, while many on the right argue that spending is rising. So what's the real picture? The director of centre-left think tank IPPR gives his analysis on whether there is really austerity in Britain.

The link between immigration policy, labour markets and exploitation in the UK

Caroline Robinson and Claire Falconer 30 April 2013

The UK government’s commitment to tackling trafficking for labour exploitation is being undermined by its immigration and labour market policies.

Social care: from personal budgets to a person-centred policy and practice

Peter Beresford 30 April 2013

Personal budgets have serious implications for the ethos of the NHS which must be considered if health and social care are to be merged - universality and provision based on need are principles we should not be so quick to abandon.

Did Earl Howe get any part of procurement law right?

David Lock 29 April 2013

Speaking to the Lords in the final debate on the Coalition's NHS privatisation regulations, Earl Howe made a number of claims about the legislation which has been challenged by campaigners, lawyers, charities and even the Lords' own scrutiny committee. David Lock QC lists ten errors.

Underrated legislations: Arab parliaments could play a crucial transformational role

Jan Völkel 29 April 2013

Arab parliaments have traditionally played a largely ceremonial and self-serving role in politics. But now, they must take a leading role in the renewal of democracy in the Middle East.

This week's editor

Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

Europe from the bottom up

European Union stars in Paris. Flickr/notarim. Some rights reserved.

A new Europe can only come from the bottom up
Etienne Balibar

A social Europe must be a political Europe
Bo Stråth

As Europe is provincialized: a reply to Etienne Balibar
Sandro Mezzadra

European debate

A republican call for a basic income
Daniel Raventos and Julie Wark

Nuclear non-proliferation

Women and the Arab Spring

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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Conference. Moving beyond Militarism and War to a Nonviolent World: A Forum Devoted to Sharing Women-Driven Solutions

Articles exploring the themes of the fourth international Nobel Women's Initiative conference May 28-31. Jennifer Allsopp and Heather McRobie will be reporting for 5050

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Lis Howell On broadcasting

Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion

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James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do

Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture

Paul Rogers on Global security

Mary Kaldor on Human security

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OurKingdom works to investigate and illuminate the crisis of democracy in Britain and analyse how its failings can be redressed.

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Pick of the debates: Democratic Wealth: building a citizens' economy, edited by Stuart White, uses republican theory to explore ideas around how to democratise the economy. Co-hosted with Politics in Spires, a blog sponsored by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

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Can Europe Make It?

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Arab Awakening

In the months following the start of the Arab Revolutions, articles and analysis poured into openDemocracy from contributors across the Middle East and Europe. Gradually, the impact of Tahrir Square began to extend well beyond the Middle East as democratic inspiration travelled from east to west. Arab Awakening tries to capture that inspiration and use it to help us read a rapidly changing world.

"As students of politics is it is vital to study the power of imagination." -Professor Charles Tripp, SOAS

Debates

Columnists | This week's window on the Middle East

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Europe from the bottom up

European debate

Democratic Wealth

Nuclear non-proliferation

Women and the Arab Spring

oDRussia at journalismfestival .com

Mali - the plot thickens

Remote control war

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