If you increase the demand for political bastardry, you'll get more of it in the future. It's not entirely clear that the federal Labor Party realises this.
Author: Charles Richardson
Sex, Politics and Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi has moved closer to going to jail, on a charge that almost by coincidence tells us a lot about his record.
Albania swings leftward
Albania seems to be heading for a centre-left government on the basis of early election results, with incumbent Sali Berisha facing defeat.
The tea party fights back on immigration
A new study on the "tea party" movement gives some hints on why immigration reform is such a hard sell in the US Republican Party.
Election roundup time
An occasional feature in which we summarise the latest election news. This week: Albania, Mongolia, Kuwait, Mali and Zimbabwe.
Does anyone know what to do about Syria?
The G8 communiqué calls for peace talks, a political solution and a democratic Syria. Unfortunately it leaves us none the wiser about how to get there.
Do libertarians believe in democracy?
A set-to between Jon Chait and Rand Paul has an important moral. Democrats should get over their fear of limited government, and libertarians should get over their fear of democracy.
The right way to handle protests
Mass protests in Brazil echo those of a fortnight ago in Turkey, but the government's response so far has been very different. Rhetoric isn't everything, but it matters.
Supreme Court pulls Arizona into line
Arizona tries to make it harder for people to enrol to vote, but the Supreme Court says no.
Turkish democracy survives the test, so far
The Turkish protest movement has failed to bring down the government, but it may have laid the groundwork for a more effective democratic opposition.
The World is Not Enough 