Aufhebunga Bunga

In which we survey Turkey's election results in light of five years of tumult - Gezi, economic downturn, terrorist attacks, Syrian war, coup, repression. Are cracks beginning to show for Erdogan? He teamed up with ultranationalists, while opposition secularists and Islamists joined forces, but Erdogan held on. How demoralised are the Turkish people, and what are the prospects for the Left? We conclude by debating whether Erdogan represents a generalisable type of political leader today: initally moderate and neoliberal, but tacking increasingly authoritarian and socially conservative.

In which we discuss how the Right won this month's election -- in a country that has never seen the Left in power. Is Colombia an exception? The civil war there feels like part of the Cold War that forgot to end. We discuss the fragile peace, the militarisation of politics, and drug cartels. 

In which we try to understand why it's not the extremes, but the centre, that has given up on democracy. David Adler talks to us about his research, and we learn about the centrist tribes: elites, anti-elite populists, and the apathetic. We talk about how we think about political space and what 'moderate' really means... maybe that horeshoe needs to be turned upside down?  Readings: David Adler in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/05/23/opinion/international-world/centrists-democracy.html  David Adler's working paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fOGwtRUF-y-98IcDs-3YYrtREl8GbaoH/view 

In which we talk about the politics of hosting the World Cup + the sublots & intrigues that will animate the tournament: hot and cold wars, Salah's revenge, Brazil after the 7-1. Featuring lots of hating on Sergio Ramos. 

In which we discuss why the Left should not to be scared of sovereignty: Brexit, Italexit, and Modern Monetary Theory

In which we unpick the legacies of 1968 and all that: political fragmentation, the loss of authority, the cult of youth.

In which we debate whether Portugal really represents an alternative to austerity

In which we delve into the gun control debate: are guns really essential for democracy? Plus, the 2018 UK university strike.

In which we laugh at The Times' hatchet job with one of its targets & wonder what the West's endgame is in Syria

In which we unpick another Fidesz's victory and ask whether neoliberalism in an nationalist-authoritarian shell is the future

In which we ask who killed Marielle Franco & discuss the shooting at Lula's caravan + Brazil's absent center

In which we debate the 'equal opportunities revolution': how race & gender has changed, in the workplace & beyond