Patrick Dunleavy

Patrick Dunleavy is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the London School of Economics, and edits LSE’s new blog British Politics and Policy. His most recent book (with John Dryzek) isTheories of the Democratic State (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2009).

A referendum on Lords reform is inevitable, but why should Britain vote for these arcane proposals?

A Committee report on reform of the UK's Upper House has acknowledged that the public must decide. Their other suggestions, however, would produce a vast, costly and unaccountable House of Lords that the British people would reject.

By Patrick Dunleavy

/ 24 Apr 2012

Proposed House of Lords reform: nearly, but not yet democratic

The Coalition's draft Bill on reform to the House of Lords is a vast improvement on previous proposals. Here are suggested improvements for the creation of a democratic, coherent and wholly elected upper house

By Patrick Dunleavy

/ 13 Jul 2011

An essential guide to electoral reform

Patrick Dunleavy finds essential reading for academics in the run up to the AV referendum in Alan Renwick’s recent book.

By Patrick Dunleavy

/ 13 Mar 2011

Book review: Numbers Rule: The Vexing Mathematics of Democracy, from Plato to the Present

Patrick Dunleavy reviews a fascinating, but flawed, history of democratic thinking from an American perspective. It throws often unexpected light on democratic innovations through the ages; and if the government’s project to slice the UK electorate up into equal constituencies is your bag, you can

By Patrick Dunleavy

/ 29 Oct 2010

Why all MPs should support reforming the electoral system

The rise of multi-party politics in the UK has meant that very few MPs can now claim majority support in their constituency, adding to the public's sense of alienation from Parliament. Professor Patrick Dunleavy, of the LSE, argues that there is now an overwhelming case for adopting the Alternativ

By Patrick Dunleavy

/ 14 Aug 2010