Christians claiming relief from discrimination won one case out of four at the European Court of Human Rights. But in Australia, the issue is their right to discriminate against others.
Author: Charles Richardson
Queensland comes in first for electoral imbalance
A study by the Queensland Greens throws an interesting light on last year's state election by comparing it with the proportionality of other state and provincial elections around the world.
So, what’s Mali, and should we care?
Mali isn't Iraq. It isn't even Afghanistan. But whether that's enough to promise success for François Hollande, only time will tell.
Czechs give direct election a try
The Czech Republic has held its first direct election for the presidency, to replace the idiosyncratic Václav Klaus. It shows a party system in some disarray.
Is Obama a realist?
Chuck Hagel's nomination brings back into focus the old debate between realists and idealists over American foreign policy.
Could the Coalition steal Labor’s clothes on optional preferences?
Change in electoral law is generally driven by perceived political interest, not by principle. Shifts to more democratic outcomes happen when a major party thinks that they will work to its advantage.
James Buchanan RIP
Nobel-winning economist James Buchanan, one of the founders of public choice theory, died yesterday at the age of 93. As with most pioneers, it's a measure of his success that we no longer realise how controversial his ideas once were.
Another view on compulsory voting
There was a bit of discussion in a post on Monday about the merits of compulsory voting. Those who are interested in the topic shouldn't miss Peter Brent's post from yesterday at Mumble. As you'd expect from Brent, it's very thorough and very thoughtful. It's one of those debates that a lot of people form … Continue reading Another view on compulsory voting
What if they had an inauguration and no-one came?
Hugo Chávez will be missing from Thursday's inauguration in Venezuela. It just goes to show that even the most comprehensive of constitutions can't provide for everything.
Italy latest: Berlusconi “ruled out” as PM
A new electoral pact supposedly rules out Silvio Berlusconi as a candidate for prime minister. Doesn't sound like him at all, does it?
