In The News

Financial Times: Pro-EU Tory Faction to Join Labour on Brexit

Jim Pickard, George Parker and Laura Hughes February 28, 2018
Britain remains divided about whether the nation should part ways with the European Union, and some members of parliament mull crossing party lines to salvage a trade relationship. Voters in June 2016 narrowly approved exiting the EU, but concerns emerged since about misinformation and foreign interference during the campaign. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour party, shifted his party’s positon...

EUROPP: The Italian Election

Andrea Lorenzo Capussela February 27, 2018
Italians head to the polls on Sunday March 4 and polls suggest that a center-right coalition led by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may win the most seats in parliament. Economic growth has lagged in Italy, at 1.3 percent, and the country’s unemployment rate stands at 11.4 percent. Immigration and European integration are also concerns for Italy’s voters. Andrea Capussela summarizes Italy...

Reuters: Ramaphosa Elected President of South Africa

Wendell Roelf February 15, 2018
Jacob Zuma, in power since May of 2009, resigned as South Africa's president on orders from the African National Congress, the ruling party. Cyril Ramaphosa, a lawyer, former trade unionist and businessman, was nominated to become next president by the National Assembly. He will serve as president until elections in 2019. Ramaphosa’s “stated commitment to boosting growth and stamping out...

BBC News: Maldives ex-President Nasheed Seeks Help From India and US

February 6, 2018
Maldives is in turmoil after the current president defied a court order and refused to release political prisoners. The government declared a state of emergency with at least two judges detained and the president suggesting a coup was being planned. The government also threatened to block television and media sites that released reports criticizing the government. Former president Mohamed Nasheed...

openDemocracy: The Origins of Populism

Seren Selvin Korkmaz and Alphan Telek February 1, 2018
Political movements focused on democracy and justice are more anti-populist than populist, argue Seren Selvin Korkmaz and Alphan Telek for Open Democracy. Deepening polarization between conservatives and progressives – the inability for governments to reach compromise – adds political uncertainty and threatens prosperity. “’The tyranny of the majority’ which is becoming the hegemonic power in...

BBC News: Kenya's Raila Odinga “Inaugurates” Himself as President

Dickens Olewe January 31, 2018
Kenyan’s government is in turmoil with two men claiming to be president. Elections were held in August 2017, and courts found irregularities and ordered a repeat election in October. Raila Odinga, an opposition leader, boycotted that October election that led to President Uhuru Kenyatta being sworn in for a second term in November 2017. Official results suggest that Kenyatta won 98 percent of the...

Quartz: At Davos, Search on How to Save Globalization

Jason Karaian January 26, 2018
Most global leaders attending the World Economic Forum that meets annually are beneficiaries and strong supporters of globalization. Many also agree that globalization and distribution of benefits could be better managed. The general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation suggests that globalization has failed working people with low pay and insecurity. The CEO of ICICI Bank in...