Massimo D'Angelo
International media have always depicted Silvio Berlusconi in stereotypical ways, shaped by his outlandish behaviour and sex scandals. Massimo D’Angelo explains why the Berlusconi legacy goes beyond these stereotypes, and how it can still act as a beacon for many right-wing populist leaders around the world Read more
Kate Hawkins
The Loop's thriving series thread on democratic theory has just published its 100th instalment. At this landmark juncture, Managing Editor Kate Hawkins looks back on the series' inception and development — and wonders where it might go in the future Read more
Anthoula Malkopoulou
Anthoula Malkopoulou warns against conflating populism with authoritarianism and thus over-reacting and supporting repression. But treating populists as regular political opponents may lead to the opposite: under-reacting to the risks posed by some populist parties and individuals Read more
Elizabeth Kaletski
Elizabeth Kaletski and Susan Randolph explore the inherent links between human rights and the economy. They argue that economic and social rights (ESR) and economic growth are mutually reinforcing, and that prioritising ESR may be the best path towards improving both Read more
Sanne van Oosten
We know that voters stereotype Muslim politicians as homophobic. However, they also project their own ideas about LGBTQ+ rights onto politicians. Sanne van Oosten examines which of these voter tendencies are likely to prevail with which voters, and argues that both strength and type of opinion matter Read more
Patrick Nitzschner
In crisis. Regressing. Dying. Such unsettling assessments of democracy’s current state have sparked renewed interest in militant democracy – the justifiable repression of anti-democrats. Given the idea’s troubled history, Patrick Nitzscner welcomes attempts to place militant interventions on a securely democratic footing, but remains sceptical of their likely success Read more
Adele Webb
Is the concept of populism a help or a hindrance in understanding complex political dynamics in the Global South? Adele Webb draws on the case of the Philippines to challenge Eurocentric and historically truncated views of populism. Here, she calls for more contextualised readings of populism’s manifestations outside the West Read more
Jacqueline Wilson
The legacy of European colonialism and Christian missionaries has created challenges for same-sex relationships in the Global South. In former German colonies Namibia, Tanzania, and Cameroon during the 1980s, anti-LGBTQ attitudes still prevailed. Jacqueline Wilson tells the story of a pioneering queer tourism project that challenged the colonial narrative Read more
