 Ukraine and Russia are struggling to find a basis for a peaceful settlement. This blog looks at whether an undertaking by Ukraine to change its constitution could play a part in any settlement
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 This blog argues that modern, culturally diverse democracies should actively encourage intercultural relationships. They should not sit back, content with self-characterisation as ‘multicultural’, while allowing the prejudices of right-wing politicians to dominate public debate about culture by proxy in the form of anti-immigration rhetoric
 Efforts to put in place measures to mitigate predicted global warming are faltering. This blog looks at possible ways to restore momentum
 ‘Functionalism’ can be defined as a theory of government that gives priority to the functional tasks of government and where institutional structures are adopted and appraised by how well they support the functional objectives chosen. The system of government is judged according to the results it brings. If the results are ‘good’ measured against the tasks to be carried out then the expectation is that the system will win public acceptance. With public acceptance further functional objectives can be added
 This blog looks at the obscure term ‘punctuated equilibrium’ and its possible relevance to politics and policymaking today.
 This blog looks at the term ‘identity politics’, what it refers to and its implications for democratic politics.
 A new centre-left government in the UK will provide a long-delayed opportunity for constitutional reform consistent with social and political renewal in the UK
 Democratic norms are said to be eroding, trust in democratic governments weakening and people are disengaging from democratic politics. Many reasons can be given for these tendencies. Politicians focus on the short term and seem to lack credibility when they claim to know what they are doing. People have many things to take care of in their lives and political involvement does not seem to merit our time and attention. It is easier to vote the way we always have, or listen to our networks of friends, and anchor our views and votes along with them - that is if we want to vote at all.
 As the twentieth century came to a close liberalism seemed triumphant. Communism, that had offered a comprehensive alternative vision of economic, social, and political relationships had collapsed. A market order seemed on its way to worldwide acceptance. There was hope that this would be accompanied also by the adoption of liberal democratic orders in the world.
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