Europe: tear down those walls!
It may be three decades since the Berlin wall came down but too many others have recently proliferated.
Between 1945 and 1989: the rise of ‘illiberal democracy’ in post-Communist Europe
The strength of ‘illiberal democracy’ three decades after the fall of the Berlin wall can only be understood by reference to the prior cold-war trajectories of east and west.
After 1989: the battle for democracy
The differing paths of the states which emerged after the fall of the wall show how liberty and the rule of law go hand in hand.
Unpacking supreme courts to restore checks and balances
Democracy is threatened by politicisation of constitutional courts. Unorthodox tactics are required to restore their role.
International tax emergency: a critical time for developing nations to speak up!
An OECD proposal to reduce transnational tax evasion contains flaws which developing countries must challenge before it is set in stone.
A new version of ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ for the western Balkans
The decision of the European Council, at French behest, not to begin accession negotiations for North Macedonia and Albania will have region-wide reverberations.
Finally a eurozone budget, probably the wrong one
A eurozone budget is an idea whose time, at last, may have come. But what is on the table contains familiar flaws.
Europe’s Green Deal is turning red
The European Green Deal does not just aim at combating the climate crisis. It’s also an opportunity for social change.
Budapest’s new mayor and the redemocratisation of Hungary
Local elections in Hungary have placed a question-mark over the durability of the 'illiberal democracy' of Viktor Orbán.
The big Green New Deal and its little red social question
Why does environmental promise always fall short in practice? A new answer to the social question can bridge the gap.
Drinking the blood of Ukraine: east-west competition for a country in crisis
The bizarre recent phone conversation between the president of the US and his counterpart in Ukraine returned to the public mind a neglected country with a frozen conflict.
Central-bank digital currencies: proceed with caution
Peter Bofinger argues that introducing central-bank digital currencies would need to be subject to very careful consideration.
Collective bargaining must be rebuilt in Europe
Revivified collective bargaining would benefit workers but also society as a whole—and political support is needed.
UN treaty on business and human rights vital for economic and social justice
How can transnational corporations be held to account in a world of nation states? A binding UN treaty would be an important step.
‘One In, One Out’ is a danger to workers’ health and safety
The new European Commission’s ‘One In, One Out’ approach to ‘burdensome’ legislation would stymie progress towards safer, healthier workplaces.