By forcibly attempting to prevent a vote on Catalan independence, the Spanish government plays into the nationalists' hands.
Category: Referenda
Self-determination, here and there
Catalonia has no chance of getting a credible vote for independence this week. Kurdistan has already got one, but it's not doing it much good.
The revolution in British politics
Britain's debate on the terms of Brexit seems to be producing a fundamental party realignment, as Labour commits itself to support of the single market. How far can this go?
Kurdistan’s turn
Iraq's Kurds say they're pushing forward with a referendum on independence, but the nature of their strategy remains a little unclear.
Brexit moves east
Another victory for authoritarianism, this time in Turkey, but the closeness of the result conveys some hope for the future.
Another lesson for direct-election republicans
The lesson of Macedonia is another belated vindication of Malcolm Turnbull's position in the 1999 referendum.
Northern Ireland slipping away
Northern Ireland's election shows another fault line developing in the United Kingdom with a strong swing away from Unionism.
Switzerland says yes to immigrants
Switzerland's strict citizenship laws are relaxed slightly following a very convincing referendum victory. It's one sign that the power of xenophobia might be waning.
World election news, part II
More world electoral news (an occasional feature). Today Macedonia, Bulgaria, Italy and Gambia.
Italy, Austria and the authoritarian dilemma
A referendum in Italy and a runoff election are both tests of Europe's political future.
The World is Not Enough 