The first of a two part essay on the relationship between economic globalisation and democracy, with a particular focus on whether the two can co-exist. Introduction Across the Western world, economic globalisation is under attack. Whether it be Bernie Sanders, Jeremy Corbyn and the author Naomi Klein on the left, or Donald Trump, Marine Le-Pen…
Tag: Politics
The Westminster game has failed. So let’s change the rules.
Our democratic deficit is deeper than anyone wants to admit. Governments are elected with less than 37% of the vote and just 24% of all registered voters, whilst voter turnout peaks at 66%. Our upper chamber is the largest in Europe, unelected and unrepresentative of the general public. It’s no wonder why we’ve come up…
Ousting Corbyn won’t solve Labour’s core problems
Though the Labour party is in desperate need of a new leader, its real problem is that since Blair it hasn’t known what it is as a party. For Labour supporters or just anyone left of centre, the current state of the party is enough to make you weep. It has a leader wildly out of…
A Pakistani’s views on Donald Trump
In the past few months, one man has very suddenly risen to political power inside the United States of America. Donald Trump. The billionaire, known for a comical hairstyle, a desire to make ‘America great again’, is a man panned by the entire world except for the United States where he, unfortunately for us Muslims, is…
Style, not substance, is the new politics
From Jeremy Corbyn on the left to Donald Trump on the right, from Bernie Sanders in America to Pablo Iglesias in Spain and Marine Le Pen in France, outsider candidates continue to make waves across the western world. And while these politicians are certainly proposing radical (if not always new) ideas, their different policies only…
The rise of China and its consequences
“China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon was correct with his prognosis made over 200 years ago – China is no longer sleeping she is awakening, she has not yet fully awoken and thus is yet to reach full economic and…
A new age
Yesterday, the Labour Party voted resoundingly to elect Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran left winger whom many had thought would be the first to drop out in what has been a leadership race characterised by party infighting and early dropouts. In fact, 14 of the 36 Labour MPs (one of which was Corbyn himself) who endorsed him…
The fractious world of Indian Politics
In May of last year the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win a majority of seats in India’s Lok Sabha, a feat which previously happened back in 1984. However, it won only 31% of the popular vote and with in excess of 10 parties making up 544 seats, it can be seen quite quickly how gargantuan…
The detrimental nature of the London Tube Strike.
A newly qualified tube driver starts on a salary of £49,673 a year. This can rise after five years to anything between £50,000 to £60,000. Tube drivers get 15 more days annual leave than a teacher (43 as opposed to 28), work almost 20 hours less a week (36/55.7), and have a starting salary which…
Reasons why Tibet should be free.
Tibet, a region spanning well over 1,000,000km², has often been a source of ire for the Chinese Government when it comes to internal dissidence. It asserts Tibet was only granted suzerainty at best in the past and that it has always been a part of China. Supporters of Tibetan Independence would contend that Tibet was officially made…
Jammu and Kashmir: a chronic dispute.
Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The Mughals, who once ruled the Indian Subcontinent, called it a ‘Paradise on Earth’. Throughout its colourful history, it has played host to a vast array of cultures and religions, coupled with a scenery like no other. However, in more recent history, Kashmir has been…
Is Julian Castro a potential running mate for Clinton?
Recently, some media outlets have entertained the prospect of Julian Castro, former mayor of San Antonio, becoming Hillary Clinton’s running mate. Despite being relatively inexperienced, I think it’s no surprise to see that he’s being seen a contender to join Clinton in what some would find a formidable ticket. In fact, you need only look at…
Pertinent Problems 