Search  

Politics and International Relations

World order in crisis: The rise of the politics of farce
by Owen Worth  |  20th August 2026

The article argues that, rather than repeating the tragic crises of the 20th century, today’s unstable world order is characterised by a politics of farce, driven by populism, spectacle and the contradictions of a capitalism in permanent crisis.…Read more

POLICY BRIEFING: Taking a different approach to tackling poverty

This policy briefing explores the deep-rooted causes of poverty in the UK and argues for a new approach focused on living standards, essential goods and universal public services rather than income alone.…Read more

The supreme contradiction at the heart of Burnham’s devolutionism

Ed Bridges discusses how Andy Burnham's devolution agenda could face a major test if it expands powers within England while resisting greater devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.…Read more

Are established democracies really facing a crisis of trust?

Aaron Martin, author of 'The Trust Gap', argues that the perceived "crisis of trust" is overstated: while public trust in politicians is often low, survey data shows that many people continue to have confidence in institutions such as universities, the courts, the police, and scientific experts.…Read more

Defence vs welfare: Why this is a false choice in UK politics 

Lee Gregory suggests that the next Labour leader should reject the false choice between welfare and defence by arguing that reducing poverty is an essential investment in national security, economic strength, and long-term prosperity.…Read more

The world has its first trillionaire—that should worry all of us

Will Snell, author of 'The Fair Necessities', examines how extreme wealth, exemplified by a trillion-dollar fortune, is rapidly widening inequality, with largely unearned and extractive wealth growth that harms economic growth, social mobility, democracy, and the environment.…Read more

After Andy Burnham's victory, Labour must rethink its approach to poverty

Joanna Mack, author of 'Impoverished', argues that tackling poverty in the UK requires bold, long-term reforms that combine fairer incomes, lower costs for essential goods, stronger public services, and a more universal welfare system rather than relying mainly on means-tested benefits.…Read more

Is the UK falling apart? Five times society survived collapse
by David Dahill and Maranda Ridgway  |  29th May 2026

The article argues that rising inequality, scapegoating and misinformation are driving social division in the UK, but history shows societies can renew themselves by confronting structural problems rather than blaming vulnerable groups.…Read more

Manifesto to mandate: Why evidence-based policy lost to populist narratives

Lee Gregory discusses how the May 2025 local elections showed that despite Labour offering stronger evidence-based anti-poverty policies than Reform UK, voters punished Labour’s cautious and unconvincing leadership while rewarding Reform’s emotionally resonant populist messaging.…Read more

Higher education must take a stand on Gaza and academic freedom: The silence of Swedish universities
by Hannah Bradby, Martin Harling, Marta Kolankiewicz, Lena Martinsson, Anders Neergaard, Anna Lundberg and Angelica Sjöstedt  |  7th May 2026

These authors argue that universities must actively defend academic freedom and human rights, especially in response to the destruction of Palestinian education, because silence risks complicity and undermines their democratic role.…Read more