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‘One of the Grey Suits’: An Interview with Art O’Leary
Art O’Leary spoke to POLITY Magazine while visiting University College Cork on the 16th of February 2023 to give a lecture entitled ‘A Grey Suit in the Grey Space between Politics and Administration’ organised by Dr Clodagh Harris and the Department of Government. This interview covers O’Leary’s career, citizens’ assemblies, the civil service, and the Electoral Commission. Continue reading ‘One of the Grey Suits’: An Interview with Art O’Leary
How Portugal’s Tourist Hotspot Became a Right-Wing Stronghold
By Seán O’Reilly When travelling through Faro, the Algarve’s administrative centre, one can’t help but notice the amount of political advertising featured on billboards and posters. However, there is one man and one party that is featured on more than any other. That man is André Ventura and Chega, a party often categorised as being right-wing to far-right. Founded by former teacher and football commentator … Continue reading How Portugal’s Tourist Hotspot Became a Right-Wing Stronghold
The Care Amendment: Progressive or Regressive?
Is the decision to delete Articles 41.2.1° and 41.2.2° and insert a new Article 42B a progressive or regressive move? On the eighth of March, a day which also marks Women’s Day internationally, two referendums will be held in Ireland. Both proposals have been heavily criticised, from those who will be voting “Yes/Yes” or “No/No” to those who are somewhere in between. The suggested amendments … Continue reading The Care Amendment: Progressive or Regressive?
Reasonable Concerns or a New Cold War? Assessing the ‘China Threat’
Prompted by recent comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, Ciarán Kennedy assess the rise of China and whether it is a threat to the West or not. Continue reading Reasonable Concerns or a New Cold War? Assessing the ‘China Threat’
‘Generation Z’ and Democracy
In recent years the phrase ‘Gen Z’ has become one of the medias favourite buzz words. Like a bee to a honey pot marketing campaigns have been flooding our social media sources in the hopes of attracting one of the most technological advanced consumer groups of all time. Generation Z refers to those of us born from the late 1990’s to the early 2000’s and … Continue reading ‘Generation Z’ and Democracy
An Interview with Bertie Ahern
POLITY Magazine speaks with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Continue reading An Interview with Bertie Ahern
Youth Political Participation
There is something seriously wrong with our politics. It is not widespread corruption or growing polarization, but our young people. Specifically, the lack of respect the political system has for them. Around two-thirds of 18-24 year olds are considering emigrating in the near future. This is an appalling figure. Despite this, at the most recent general election those who are under 35 were significantly underrepresented … Continue reading Youth Political Participation
Why Afghanistan matters
As Dr Martin Luther King stated “An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The United States withdrawal in Afghanistan has created a new series of problems in the country. With the Taliban taking power in 2021 the regime began restricting rights to women banning them from education and restrictions on freedom of speech. Years of wars waged by external forces in Afghanistan have … Continue reading Why Afghanistan matters
A Dying Democracy?
Poland, and Hungary are often accused of being “illiberal democracies,” especially by Western countries through the European Union. And now Israel as well, with the return of Benjamin Netanyahu and his critics accusing him of slowing down justice and going against democratic values. But what does this term, widely used in political science and the media, really mean? Why are some democracies called illiberal? Illiberal … Continue reading A Dying Democracy?
Tightening Safeguards in Europe’s Democratic Lynchpin
European Democracy under the Threat At a time when multiple crises are competing for the attention of Europe’s leaders, the question of transparency within the European Parliament comes at an inconvenient moment. Yet this issue must be addressed to answer the European Union’s critics and vindicate the faith of candidate countries. Various candidate countries, most notably Ukraine, are currently striving to accede to the EU. … Continue reading Tightening Safeguards in Europe’s Democratic Lynchpin
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