A century on from its defeat and occupation by Soviet Russia, Georgia again worries about Russian influence and the fragility of democracy.
Author: Charles Richardson
February election roundup
A monthly digest of recent electoral news. This time, Liechtenstein, Kosovo, Niger and Haiti.
Northern Ireland at the crossroads
Northern Ireland's Unionists are making trouble over Brexit, reflecting the fact that it's put them in an impossible position.
Shifting sands in New Caledonia
The supporters of independence win a majority in the New Caledonia government for the first time. Change is on the way, although the underlying balance of power is not all that it might seem.
One more post about the electoral college
What would happen in the US if the electoral college was elected proportionally? The answer is rather interesting, but it's an unlikely avenue for reform.
A mandate at last in Catalonia
Catalonia's pro-independence parties win a majority without having to rely on the distortions in the electoral system. A general swing to the left also opens up other possibilities.
Update on representation
A new paper revisits the question of the basis to use for drawing legislative districts in the US, with some interesting experimental results.
Technocracy vs politics in Italy
Mario Draghi agrees to try to form a government in Italy. He is technically well equipped for the job, but the fundamental issue is not a technical one.
What is self-determination?
Israel/Palestine returns to the headlines, raising questions about the nature of the right to national self-determination, and whether there are principled grounds for according it to some but not others.
A boilover in Ecuador
The opinion polls get things badly wrong in Ecuador. A runoff will decide the presidency, but it's not yet clear who the candidates will be.
The World is Not Enough 