It is likely to become the defining image of the dramatic events of the last week in South Korea: a leather-jacketed opposition aide seizing the barrel of the rifle of a masked soldier who had been sent by the president to storm the country’s parliament. “Let go!” Ahn Gwi-ryeong ordered the soldier. “Don’t you feel … Read more
Of course, nothing went according to plan. The Elysée had its dreams, but the weather made sure of this. On Saturday, December 7, the risk of a storm, with the wind blowing violently and the heavy rain forecast for the evening, forced the State and Church authorities to make a strategic and concerted withdrawal into … Read more
EU commitments limit the space for governments to implement their own political priorities. Sergio Scandizzo argues that while these commitments often have positive effects, they have led to a deterioration in political discourse that has helped foster the rise of the populist right. Mario Draghi’s recent report on EU competitiveness, commissioned by European Commission President … Read more
Does the use of pronouns such as “I” and “we” in political speeches affect the success of politicians? Drawing on new research, Robin Bachmann shows that political leaders in the German parliament have not only used “we” more frequently in recent decades but that this usage is linked to higher chances of re-election. In politics, … Read more
How do political alliances influence trade and welfare in Europe and other major global economies? Karen Jackson and Oleksandr Shepotylo write that the accession of new NATO members will bring economic benefits for Europe, while the US leaving NATO or a deepening of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation would bring negative trade and welfare effects. Political alliances like … Read more