Stein Ringen

Stein Ringen is Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. His book on the Chinese state, The Perfect Dictatorship, will be published this year. Contact him here.

Brexit and the British constitution: it doesn't work

If Parliament is sovereign and wants to vote, it votes. If someone else (the government) is in a position to “give” it the right to vote, it is not sovereign.

By Stein Ringen

/ 13 Dec 2018

Was Machiavelli a democrat? Is he relevant today?

However you read The Prince, it is a reminder that the elementary condition of good government is effective government.

By Stein Ringen

/ 4 Mar 2018

China and the embarrassment of western democracy

The trouble for democracy does not come from Beijing, or from globalisation, or from abroad, or, in Britain, from immigration or from Europe. It resides at home.

By Stein Ringen

/ 29 Jan 2017

Parliamentarians - wake up!

The author launches a new blog with a message on Brexit – parliament wake up! Former Labour parliamentarian replies on how to correct the imbalance exploited by Thatcher, Blair and May.

By Stein Ringen and Mark Fisher former MP

/ 12 Jan 2017

Parliamentarians - wake up!

The author launches a new blog with a message on Brexit – parliament wake up! Former Labour parliamentarian replies on how to correct the imbalance exploited by Thatcher, Blair and May.

By Stein Ringen and Mark Fisher former MP

/ 12 Jan 2017

My 350 on BREXIT: Responsibility

"I am entitled to shout this from the mountaintop since I have been asking since the referendum was called: How are political decisions made in this country?"

By Stein Ringen

/ 6 Jul 2016

My 350 on BREXIT: Earthquake

“For my part, my sentiment is not just embarrassment, but shame. That we should choose the coward’s way of turning on the EU in its moment of need.”

By Stein Ringen

/ 5 Jul 2016

A democratic case for Catalan independence?

Spain would be irrevocably changed if Catalonia secedes. Therefore this should be a choice not just for the Catalan people, but for all Spanish people.

By Stein Ringen

/ 26 Oct 2015

A democratic case for Catalan independence?

Spain would be irrevocably changed if Catalonia secedes. Therefore this should be a choice not just for the Catalan people, but for all Spanish people.

By Stein Ringen

/ 26 Oct 2015

Beijing tightens the screws

The Chinese state is now more ideological and more repressive than ever since the days of Mao.

By Stein Ringen

/ 2 Oct 2015

Is Chinese autocracy outperforming western democracy?

The author suggests that China’s regime could put itself to a referendum – a democratic referendum against electoral democracy. He expects it would win that referendum. Book review.

By Stein Ringen

/ 12 Jun 2015

Democracy in America, part 6: What's wrong with democracy in America?

What happens when transgression from a big and biased backstage arena is institutionalised, is that power shifts: from the public good to corporate interests. The sophisticated organisational work of the Koch brothers is only the tip of the iceberg. There is a future role here for Mr.Obama.

By Stein Ringen

/ 27 Oct 2014