Democracy
The political challenge of a divided electorate
Australia's Federal Election was marked by countervailing swings that political parties will need to learn to navigate, says a University of Melbourne expert
The whispers of Tiananmen
A University of Melbourne expert says the Chinese government hasn't acknowledged the violence of Tiananmen Square 30 years ago; but many whisper its history.
Voter aspiration delivers for Coalition
Scott Morrison’s "aspirational individualism" resonated with voters, leaving the polls behind and forcing a Labor rethink, says University of Melbourne expert.
The last election where anyone cares?
Faith in democracy is plummeting in Australia, and we may be nearing a tipping point where not enough even care, warns a University of Melbourne politics expert
Is Indonesian democracy still trapped in old-style politics?
Joko Widodo may have won Indonesia's elections; but a University of Melbourne expert says it's the next generation of politicians who will shake up democracy.
Leader sloganising passed off as a debate
The first leaders' debate of the Australian election was dominated by sloganising, which is why people are turning off, says a University of Melbourne expert.
Here’s how to renew Australia’s Democracy
Ideas for citizen juries, an independent speaker, and sitting MPs with their opponents are part of a push involving University of Melbourne to renew democracy.
Rome’s Augustus and the allure of the strongman
The Roman emperor Augustus is often held up as a model statesman, but a University of Melbourne expert warns admirers should be careful what they wish for.
Echoes of revolution
The protests in France are a distant echo of 1789 and are a critical challenge for President Emmanuel Macron, argues a University of Melbourne historian.
American tribalism let loose
The US midterm elections may be the most tribal in history as both sides of politics compete to play the victim says a University of Melbourne expert.