An unsuccessful vote on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland demonstrates Sinn Féin's willingness to defy the Catholic church, raising hopes that Ireland may be on the way to a less sectarian party system.
Category: Political issues
Same-sex marriage vs federalism
The ACT government thinks it can set up its own family law system. Supporters of marriage equality should recognise that that's a bad idea.
France makes it official
A divisive debate comes to a close in France, with a largely party-line vote in favor of same-sex marriage.
US stalemate on gun control
President Obama's modest plan for gun control falls victim to the paradox of gradualism.
New Zealand gets ahead again
New Zealand votes for marriage equality, with a bit more partisanship than you'd guess from the media reports.
Fundamentalism east and west
An anti-blasphemy demonstration in Bangladesh raises some questions about our perceptions of religious fundamentalism.
The Republican war against constitutionalism
It looks as if there'll be no established religion in North Carolina, at least legally. But the Republican Party has shown off some interesting views about the constitution.
The politics of (illegal) style
Actions are illegal, not people. But Associated Press has got itself into a political storm by acknowledging this conceptual truth.
Another weighty discrimination issue
A Samoan airline is charging its passengers by weight. Is this discrimination, or a move to end discrimination?
Public opinion and the Supreme Court
Nate Silver works his magic on public opinion and same-sex marriage. The Supreme Court may be listening.
The World is Not Enough 