Sixth form competition winner: Euro Elections – the race to the EU title
The Eastminster blog recently hosted a competition for sixth form students to write a post on the EU elections. The winner was Sam Kenward of Sir John Leman Sixth Form in Beccles, who also wins £50. In his post, Sam reviews the prospects of each of the parties as the UK heads…
How do we remember a problem like bin Laden?
Dr. Lee Jarvis explores how we remember (dead) 'terrorists' like bin Laden and why this might matter. Next week will see the official 9/11 museum open at the site of the World Trade Center in New York. Visitors to the museum will be able to learn about the attacks, their…
The case for compulsory turnout in the UK: addressing political inequality
Britain is about to go to the polls for the European Elections, but voter turnout in Britain is way behind that in Belgium and Luxembourg where voting is compulsory. History student Alice Donnelly argues that compulsory voting should be introduced for general elections in the UK, and that if this…
The Royal Family in Australia: Royalty in an egalitarian society?
The Royal Family undertook a state tour to Australia in 2014. Dr. Peter Handley reflects on whether the Australian society that they visited in 2014, was any more egalitarian than that Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia in 1954. [caption id="attachment_959" align="alignright" width="119"] Peter Handley, University of East Anglia[/caption] The visit to…
Facebook Power in a Cashless World
Facebook, a world leading social media network, is expanding to become a bank. Elizabeth Cobbett argues that this has far reaching social, economic and political consequences. Facebook, the social network connecting family and friends around world, is developing a new set of networks, financial ones. The company has just applied to…
Everyday Nationhood: A One-Day Symposium to Examine the Contribution of Michael Billig’s Study of Banal Nationalism
Everyday Nationhood: A One-Day Symposium to Examine the Contribution of Michael Billig’s Study of Banal Nationalism. Monday 8th September 2014, London School of Economics & Political Science Organised by the Association for the Study of Ethnicity & Nationalism (ASEN) and the School of Political, Social & International Studies, University of…
Studying terrorism: critically
Terrorism, or the threat of terrorism, is a constant concern in many countries around the world. Dr. Lee Jarvis reflects on newly published research on terrorism and the future study of the issue. What does it mean to study terrorism critically? What would such an enterprise look like, and what…
The Big Sleep: Fighting an European Election
Mark Wells stood as a candidate in both a general election and European election. The European election was much less engaging for candidates and the electorate, he argues, because of the proportional electoral system. In the early years of the century, building on the dizzying heights of a power-base established…
UEA expert gives evidence at Commons inquiry on voter turnout
An academic from the School of Political, Social and International Studies gave evidence on 3 April 2014, to a Commons inquiry looking at voter engagement in the UK. Dr Toby James spoke about his research and the importance of electoral administration to voter registration and turnout. He was asked to attend following his submission of written…
Let’s leave localism and local politics to local people
Lawrence Hardy reflects on localism, politics and the relaxation of some town and country planning controls. He argues that Eric Pickles should leave localism to the locals and local politics to local people. [caption id="attachment_911" align="alignright" width="300"] Fye Bridge, Norwich. Photo Credit: Harry Balding[/caption] A colleague some years ago wrote an…