A new nation in Oceania is unlikely to emerge just yet, but Sunday's vote in New Caledonia will be an important step towards deciding the territory's future.
Category: Political issues
Blasphemy in Ireland and Austria
Ireland strikes a blow for freedom of speech, despite an unfortunate precedent from the European Court of Human Rights.
Worrying about the far left, part III
Now if ever seems to be the time for a new popular front. Can liberals, social democrats and Marxists manage to work together?
Theresa May and Robert Peel
Brexit uncertainty continues even as its deadlines loom closer. Can some lessons be learned from the great nineteenth century political battle over repeal of the Corn Laws?
Do the Liberals have a history?
Former minister David Kemp undertakes an ambitious history of Australian liberalism. Can it tell us something about today's Liberal Party?
Worrying about the far left, part II
If we assume that the political extremes are equally dangerous in principle, are there still good practical reasons to worry about one more than the other? I think there are.
Big shifts in Bavaria?
Bavaria's centre-right government loses its majority in an election that shows big changes in party support. There may be wider lessons for Germany and the world.
Worrying about the far left, part I
Should we be as concerned about the far left as we are about the far right? Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to worry about.
Self-determination in the Pacific
Despite its troubled history, New Caledonia next month looks set to vote to remain French.
Megalogenis and the curse of parallelism
A look at how commentators can go wrong in thinking about the Liberal Party and leadership instability.
The World is Not Enough 