Voters often choose parties that share similar positions to them on certain issues. Andreas Goldberg and Jonas Lefevere argue that this behaviour is more prevalent among voters with more extreme issue positions. So, better understanding the role of policy issues in electoral competition requires considering voters’ positional extremity
May 2025 marks 75 years since the Schuman Declaration that paved the way for the European Union. But while the Declaration succeeded in establishing the first democratic union of democratic states, it is now failing to protect its democracies. Jaap Hoeksma considers how we can stop Viktor Orbán and his cronies from undermining the Union
In India, the bulldozer has emerged as an instrument of the strong state and a symbol of sovereign retribution. Bulldozer demolitions, argues Ananya Sharma, mark a shift towards punitive populism in which majoritarian desires supplant the rule of law
A student-led movement is challenging what they claim is the 'capture' of the state by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Asia Leofreddi reflects on how this uprising, sparked by tragedy and corruption, seeks to transform power structures. While Serbia's political future remains uncertain, the people's call for change grows louder
Saudi Arabia faces an existential threat from a potentially proliferating Iran and an unpredictable ally in the Trump administration. Zoha Naser and Sarah Tzinieris explore how the country is carefully weighing up its strategic partnerships as it pursues a civil nuclear programme
Ecem Nazlı Üçok explores how student protests in Turkey, Serbia, and Georgia reflect more than isolated unrest — they reveal a transnational wave of political mourning, democratic erosion, and Gen Z-led resistance. In the face of authoritarianism, students are not just reacting — they are reimagining the future
EU enlargement to Ukraine is a strategic necessity, but cannot rest on geopolitics alone. To avoid backlash, the EU must confront policy dilemmas openly, from rule of law to agriculture, and offer realistic compromises. Antoaneta Dimitrova argues that public support depends on political leaders’ ability to offer a credible narrative to counter negative publicity
Austrian parties have finally formed a new government – on their third bargaining attempt. The failure of the previous rounds drew media criticism of timewasting. But Matthew E Bergman and Wolfgang C Müller argue that time spent bargaining is in fact an investment in future government policy productivity
Artificial Intelligence promises unprecedented access to the world’s knowledge, yet delivers a curated illusion. As algorithms prioritise engagement over understanding, what appears open is in fact tightly controlled. Soumi Banerjee explores how algorithmic mediation deepens inequalities, shaping not just what we see — but how, and whether, we understand it
Stefano Intropido shows how Pope Francis reshaped the Church’s care for forced migrants by blending tradition with bold reform. As Cardinals choose his successor, Francis' forward-thinking legacy offers a promising blueprint for a more people‐centred future
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