Ruairidh Brown
Despite often being regarded as a blueprint for authoritarianism, Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan gives prudent advice on the limitations of sovereign power. Ruairidh Brown argues this serves as a timely warning for the next Conservative leader on their approach to Scottish politics Read more
Ruairidh Brown
The first obstacle in holding an Independence Referendum is assuring its legitimacy. To do so, says Ruairidh Brown, the SNP-Green alliance have implied the UK Government has no moral authority to deny Scots a choice on their future Read more
Adam Stokes
Québécois politics has been undergoing a dramatic change since 2018. The emergence of the ‘Coalition for Quebec’s Future’ (CAQ) has smashed the existing Liberal/Parti Québécois duopoly in the province and sidelined the issue of Quebec’s sovereignty in favour of cultural issues, writes Adam Stokes Read more
Anwen Elias
Many assume that pro-independence parties want their own state because they believe the state has treated their territory unfairly. Anwen Elias and Núria Franco-Guillén argue that Catalan independentists also want independence to improve democracy and create a fairer, more prosperous society Read more
Adam Stokes
Early last month, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared he wanted the Canadian province to become 'a nation within a nation'. Moe demanded Saskatchewan gain additional autonomy in policy areas including taxation and immigration. Yet, writes Adam Stokes, defining a nation is a difficult task, and the Saskatchewan example shows why Read more
Michael Keating
The United Kingdom has left the European Union in order to restore its national sovereignty. Yet the cost may be the break up of the UK itself, writes Michael Keating Read more
Richard Rose
Many referendums concern a decision in principle from which must follow a detailed implementation plan. In such cases, argues Richard Rose, good democratic practice demands a second referendum giving voters the option to change their mind Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
