Why "Islamist" is the wrong word to use to describe terrorists, and why some people want us to use it anyway.
Category: Political issues
Presidential problems in the Americas
Political crisis in Brazil raises thoughts about the relative stability of presidential and parliamentary systems – a question with obvious relevance to the United States presidential election.
Fiji, and the enabling of democracy’s enemies
Julie Bishop visits Fiji, apparently finding no cause for concern in a military ruler approaching ten years in office. And we wonder why voters seem to be giving up on democracy.
Germany gets a far-right party (again)
Three state elections in Germany are dominated by the refugee issue. The far right makes gains, but there is some good news for Angela Merkel as well.
No joy for immigrants in Slovakia
The anti-immigrant left in Slovakia loses out to the anti-immigrant right. At least it's a change.
Thoughts on a three party system
Talk of "neoliberalism" obscures the existence of actual liberals, just at the time when we need them most.
The world we have lost
Twenty years on, Australia marks the advent of the Howard government. Time passes, but we still live in the shadow of that change.
Can anyone stop Trump?
Donald Trump walks away with the Nevada caucuses. Can anyone stop him getting the Republican nomination? And how much does it matter?
Holiday reading
As usual, news is a bit thin at this time of the year, but for those who are looking for holiday reading in the political sphere I've put together some links to interesting stuff that I've come across recently.
Fascism on both sides of the Atlantic
There's been some very interesting discussion on whether to call Donald Trump a fascist, a debate that has particular resonance with the rise of the National Front in France.
The World is Not Enough 