The argumentum ad whingeum: an idea whose time can't pass quick enough

Apr 19, 2016 04:39 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The marketplace of ideas is usually less a showroom for shiny new models and more of a cheery Op Shop. So its a big deal when a genuinely new argument is spotted in the wild even, or perhaps especially, when it comes from...

Scottish election 2016: six things you need to know

Apr 18, 2016 14:24 pm UTC| Politics

You might be wondering if it is worth paying attention to the Scottish election, which will be held on May 5. The result certainly looks a foregone conclusion: the ruling SNP will form a majority government for another...

With Dilma Rousseff impeached, Brazil is set for years of political turmoil

Apr 18, 2016 13:15 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The lower house of Brazils National Congress has voted overwhelmingly to impeach President Dilma Rousseff for allegedly covering up the scale of the countrys budget deficit, sending the case to the upper house. As the vote...

Briferendum Series

Government pro-Europe leaflet didn't swing voters in 1975 – and probably won't in 2016

Apr 18, 2016 11:49 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Back in 1975, when Harold Wilsons Labour government wanted to persuade voters of the merits of staying in the European Economic Community (EEC), they sent out a pamphlet Britains New Deal in Europe to every household in...

Briferendum Series

Briferendum Series: Sturgeon threatens referendum upon Brexit

Apr 18, 2016 06:25 am UTC| Commentary Politics

Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon has warned that Scotland should get another referendum if Britons vote in favor of exiting the European Union, thus bringing Scotland out of EU, against the will of...

US Election Series

A decisive New York primary for the Clintons – again

Apr 18, 2016 03:01 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The April 19 primary in New York looks like it will play a familiar role in this latest Clinton presidential campaign. Bernie Sanders is hoping his Brooklyn roots and left-wing stands will propel him to victory there,...

Emerging Market Crisis Series

Climacteric weekend ahead of Brazil

Apr 15, 2016 06:11 am UTC| Commentary Politics

This weekend would be most crucial for future of Brazil as well as recent rally in Brazilian assets. Since late January Brazils benchmark stock index, Bovespa has outperformed almost all of its global peers by rising...