The Light Still Flickers: Why Europe Must Rediscover Its Fighting Spirit
Against the populist darkness threatening democracy, Europeans must remember that enlightenment principles require active defence—and the courage to confront bullies.
Politics
Analysis and debate on European and national politics, democracy, the rule of law, parties and elections, and Europe’s place in the world.
When Algorithms Undermine Democracy: Europe’s Wake-Up Call
Algorithmic power threatens the foundations of democratic oversight—and Sweden’s experience shows why Europe must act now.
Zohran Mamdani’s Win and the Price of Urban Life: Why City Voters Are Seeking Change
The soaring costs of city life appear to be sending urban voters toward progressive leaders who promise relief, both in the U.S. and globally.
Democracy’s Ratchet Effect: Why the Left and Centre Must Unite Against Rising Authoritarianism
As emergencies mount and extremism feeds on paralysis, democratic forces need more than lowest-common-denominator coalitions to break the cycle of political decay.
Albania’s AI Minister Cannot Fix What Citizens No Longer Trust
Bold reforms and EU progress ring hollow when inequality deepens and Albanians choose to leave the country.
When Democracy and Liberalism Collide: America’s Governance Crisis
The United States is dismantling the very institutions designed to solve its problems—a paradox that reveals a deeper conflict between democratic will and liberal principles.
Europe’s Self-Inflicted Wound: The Corporate Responsibility Retreat
By dismantling corporate sustainability rules, European businesses are handing competitive advantages to their foreign rivals.
Botswana’s Critical Transition: From Parental Provider to Democratic Enabler
Galaletsang Dintsi and Kabo Diamond Moseki
As diamond revenues collapse and public trust erodes, Botswana’s new government attempts a fundamental reimagining of the state-citizen relationship.
Sovereignism: Europe’s Most Dangerous Political Plague
The transnational crises of our era demand European solutions, yet national leaders cling to sovereignty games that leave citizens vulnerable and searching for scapegoats.
Europe’s Defence Dilemma: Why Fiscal Union Is No Longer Optional
Without radical institutional reform, Europe cannot mount the defence it desperately needs against an increasingly aggressive Russia.
Europe’s Housing Crisis Threatens the Foundations of Democracy
Affordable homes built the post-war social contract—their absence today fuels political extremism.
Climate Refugees Are Already Here—And Democracy Hangs In The Balance
As island nations sink beneath rising seas, the world faces a stark choice: build walls or build solidarity in the face of climate-driven displacement.
Europe’s Geothermal Moment: What Iceland’s Energy Revolution Teaches Us
Iceland transformed its heating system from oil to geothermal at a surprising speed—Europe should take note.
Portugal’s Democratic Paradox: How A Democracy Confronts The Crisis Of Trust
Fifty years after dictatorship, Portugal faces the challenge of rebuilding faith in democratic institutions while delivering on citizens’ rising expectations.
Paradise Lost: New Zealand’s Crisis Of State And Identity
As economic stagnation meets constitutional discord, the remote archipelago faces fundamental questions about its future as a unified nation.
From Surveillance To Sedation: The Rise Of Blue Pill Capitalism
We are witnessing a disturbing evolution in digital capitalism—from harvesting our data to trapping us in fantasies that profit from our isolation.