Democracy, power and governance

How has the role of evidence in policy and practice changed in the last 20 years? Recent events such as Michael Gove’s claim that we have “had enough of experts” and the prevalence of fake news create a sense that decision makers apparently choose not to take academic research into account. But there is hope. Read More

Claire Ainsley's The New Working Class: How To Win Hearts, Minds and Votes was published by Policy Press in May 2018. It’s been especially interesting seeing how people from all over the political spectrum have seen the opportunities for their side to use the new knowledge to their own advantage.…Read more

Bristol University Press talks to Henry Tam, a leading expert on the threats against democracy and what should be done to counter them. …Read more

As the gap continues to widen between citizens and the political institutions that are meant to govern on their behalf, many people are losing faith in democracy, while large numbers are turning to authoritarian demagogues to lead the way. The only remedy for the growing distrust and discord is to rebuild cooperation between state and citizens.…Read more

Brynn Jones and Mike O'Donnell examine the problems of authoritarian nationalism and explain that the best hope for greater equality and quality of life lies with people themselves, and in more, not less democracy. …Read more

Amitai Etzioni examines the emergence of populism and suggests ways in which law-based approaches and political institutions can both understand and manage the challenges these movements present.…Read more

Deborah Orr celebrates the success of the Repeal the Eighth campaign to legalise abortion in Ireland, and looks at the unfinished business of the Abortion Rights campaign to do the same for Northern Ireland.…Read more

Aksel Ersoy, editor of The Impact of Co-production, discusses the debate around the ways public engagement can go beyond a simple consultation and how it can be ‘relevant’ in academia.…Read more

Henry Tam discusses the decline of democracy and the three critical steps that must be taken in order to save it.…Read more

Are centre-left parties across Europe facing a future of decline? Rob Manwaring and Paul Kennedy argue that an essential element in any robust democracy is an effective centre-left.…Read more