Can we predict political uprisings?

Jun 17, 2017 15:17 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics Economy

Forecasting political unrest is a challenging task, especially in this era of post-truth and opinion polls. Several studies by economists such as Paul Collier and Anke Hoeffler in 1998 and 2002 describe how economic...

When politicians cherry-pick data and disregard facts, what should we academics do?

Jun 13, 2017 16:14 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

When politicians distort science, academics and scientists tend to watch in shock from the sidelines rather than speak out. But in an age of fake news and alternative facts, we need to step into the breach and inject...

Critical backbenchers push back on Finkel clean energy target plan

Jun 13, 2017 15:55 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

A sizeable slice of his backbench has sent Malcolm Turnbull a forceful message that his road to implementing the clean energy target (CET) proposed by the Finkel inquiry will be rocky even within his own ranks. After...

Surprised at the election? Not if you were listening to radio phone-in shows

Jun 13, 2017 15:55 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology Politics

Heres a frightening thought: I have been involved in covering general elections for the past 40 years. In 1979 I was a gofer on ITNs then innovative phone-in segment on their general election results programme and in 2015...

Briferendum Aftermath Series

May wanted a Brexit mandate, but voters want a strong welfare state

Jun 13, 2017 15:38 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Its all too easy to forget that when Theresa May called her snap election, three years earlier than shed repeatedly promised, her party was 18-20 percentage points ahead of Labour in the polls. It seemed like a clear...

Why Theresa May should appoint a deputy prime minister

Jun 13, 2017 15:34 pm UTC| Politics Insights & Views

After one of the most surprising general elections in British history, Theresa May remains in government but in circumstances very different to those she must have been expecting just weeks previously. Despite...

When is a leak ethical?

Jun 13, 2017 14:43 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics Law

Twenty-five-year-old Reality Leigh Winner remains in jail after a federal judge denied her bail in a case where she is alleged to have sent classified information to the media. Winner faces up to 10 years in prison if...