Category: Features
What are Labour governments for? The aid issue
“Leading where others follow, Trump has cut US foreign aid. By 83%. It is hard, in the new age of transactional, personalistic, international relations, to discern much a future for development spending. The end of the age of aid – one of the reasons for Labour governments – is upon us. Judith Hart would be broken.”
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Irish neutrality comes under question
The Dáil’s failure to establish committees for government scrutiny is alarming amid shifting international relations. The discourse includes critiques on Irish neutrality, urging a reevaluation of policies that hinder military involvement. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, it’s essential for Ireland to adapt for meaningful global participation while addressing local sensitivities.
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The UK needs a reformed second chamber
Nicola Sturgeon announced her decision not to run in the next Holyrood election, echoing sentiments from other longstanding MSPs. The House of Lords lacks Scottish independence supporters and fails to represent Scotland’s interests. A reformed second chamber is needed for Scotland’s concerns in UK policy, especially regarding taxes, infrastructure, and energy poverty, which disproportionately affect…
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Yesterday’s robber barons can teach today’s oligarchs about responsibilities of wealth
Mark Zuckerberg’s recent display of wealth, exemplified by a lavish wristwatch, prompts parallels between today’s tech billionaires and the “robber barons” of America’s Gilded Age, as warned by Joe Biden. Critics argue that unlike Carnegie, who embraced moral obligations with wealth, today’s billionaires often neglect communal benefits, exacerbating social inequality.
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Why populists are winning: broken promises of liberal democracy
The article discusses the rise of extreme right populism in Europe, highlighting how dissatisfaction with democracy drives voters towards populist alternatives. It critiques both technocratic and liberal populist responses as ineffective, emphasizing the need for democratic reforms that adapt to the digital age. To combat populism, new forms of e-democracy should be explored.
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