The recent days of protest crystallise the debate over whether Turkey has successfully synthesised its European and Middle Eastern elements. Is it really a democracy, or is it a place where governments have to be overthrown by force?
Category: Party matters
Let’s talk about party funding
Politicians across the world are sincerely convinced that they are worthy recipients of public money. The public disagrees, but only rarely – as this week in Australia – is it able to get its voice heard.
Mr Cameron and the swivel-eyed loons
The British prime minister faces a two-pronged revolt by the Conservative masses, but it's not yet big enough to split his party.
Republicans still fighting the Civil War
A new NRA president is the cue for another look at the Republican Party's debt to the deep south.
Could Ireland get a normal party system?
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.
Fruitcake fringe poses problems for Cameron
Local elections in the UK don't tell you a great deal. But whatever their message is this week, it's bad for David Cameron.
Another roll of the Italian dice
For a party that won a majority in the lower house, Italy's centre-left has done about as badly in the post-election bargaining as it's possible to imagine.
Shambles in Italy as president re-elected
Italy gets its old president back – but still no government, and the prospects for the centre-left are looking bleaker than ever.
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.
The World is Not Enough 