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News Reviews from 2016
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News Reviews from 2016

Brexit: making democracy count

Home grown European terrorism

by Simon Belt

 

In recent weeks, there have been some ghastly and depraved attacks in France and Germany, targetting their victims quite randomly and leaving commentators looking for answers as to what the heck is going on. Over the last decade or two, terrorist attacks have had some semblance of connection with politics or world events, however tenuous, but attacks in the most recent period seem much more focussed on the nihilist perpetrator than any wider cause. So what is going on, and what could and should be done?

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News Reviews from 2016

Brexit: making democracy count

Brexit: making democracy count

by Simon Belt

 

The EU referendum had a very high turnout (72%), yet the result hasn't been universally accepted as good for democracy. You might have thought that a majority of nearly 1.5 million people voting to Leave the EU in favour of parliamentary sovereignty, would be seen as a triumph for democracy.

 

In contrast to a majority 52% who voted to the clear question of IN or OUT of the EU, we have been encouraged to reject the electorate wanting to LEAVE the EU. How can the EU referendum, organised in good faith and conducted fairly, have so many liberals petition for the will of the people to be ignored or circumvented?

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News Reviews from 2016

The EU: should we stay or should we go?David Cameron in Europe

by Mark Iddon

 

On 23rd June 2016 we will be able to vote on whether Britain should ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ a member of the European Union (EU). The two campaigns, remain and leave, appear to be adamant, one way or the other, that the alternative view will be disastrous but both positions appear to lack a clear principled argument of why their way will be a great and progressive way forward in the long term.

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News Reviews from 2016

Easter rising crucifixion

Easter Risings

by Simon Belt

 

The centenary celebrations of the Easter Rising in Dublin 1916 have proved very interesting for those who follow the way perceptions of historical events change depending on contemporary sensibilities. The celebrations seemed a little strange to a British audience schooled in the belief that the 1916 declaration of independence was dangerous folly, yet the occasion this year was a high profile official event.

 

The other Easter Rising by contrast, was perhaps the least religious marking of Jesus' crucifixion and rising from the dead that I can remember, apart from the amount of chocolate easter eggs being bought, hidden, found and consumed that is. What, if anything connects these events?

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News Reviews from 2016

Barbie Dolls and real women

Barbie Dolls and real women

by Simon Belt

 

Mattel's Barbie Doll collection for aimed primarily at girls is getting its biggest makeover since 1959. Obviously they've had numerous private makeovers by young girls for decades, but this time it's in public. So what you might say, but it's got a number of right-on wadicals rather dizzy with excitement and all of a flutter.

 

What's the big issue that's being addressed with a more diverse product range of dolls? And why can't some grown-ups just let go of the inanimate plastic barbies?

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