Hard Evidence: this is the Age of Dissent – and there's much more to come

Jan 11, 2016 06:54 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The year 2011 is widely viewed as the peak of protest and dissent in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and the austerity agenda that followed it. It was the year of the Arab Spring, Occupy, UK Uncut, indignados, urban...

Taiwan's economic data still weak; focus on election results

Jan 11, 2016 02:04 am UTC| Commentary Politics Economy

Taiwans economic data remained disappointing. Exports contracted for the 11th straight month in Dec15 (-13.9% YoY), as shipments to emerging markets continued to fall and the seasonal demand for electronics started to...

Big boys DO cry: why Obama was right to shed tears over dead children

Jan 09, 2016 05:14 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Politicians crying in public always make the headlines and the tears shed recently by US president Barack Obama have triggered a new round of debate about whether it is acceptable for public figures particularly male...

Free vote on EU referendum could see Cameron keep the peace within his party

Jan 07, 2016 01:41 am UTC| Politics

David Camerons decision to allow members of the government to campaign on either side of the referendum on European Union membership was presented as a magnanimous gesture. He would graciously offer a free vote to the...

Why was Tony Abbott so unpopular?

Jan 07, 2016 01:26 am UTC| Politics

Gregory Melleuish, Associate Professor, School of History and Politics, University of Wollongong Tony Abbott remained at consistently low levels of approval throughout his time as prime minister. AAP/Mick...

Real or not, North Korea's 'h-bomb' is part of a well-planned agenda

Jan 07, 2016 01:25 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

North Koreas announcement that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb was met with shock and surprise around the world but there have been months of indications that something in just this vein was on the way. Kim...

Obama’s bold move against guns proves the politics of firearms really is changing

Jan 06, 2016 14:18 pm UTC| Politics

Its common in the US to refer to a second-term president in his final year as a lame duck, his time limited, his momentum gone, and his political capital ebbing away to whoevers next in line for the White House. But, not...