Citizens' Rights
and Individuals
All societies must confront questions of inequality and injustice, and often these apply to issues of identity and migration, and access to resources and opportunities. It is up to governments, NGOs, education systems and, most importantly, individuals to highlight and combat these inequalities, so that society can be more inclusive and opportunities can be shared. To promote this valuable work, IDRN questions existing assumptions about identity, and explores solutions to the main problems facing individuals, especially in the fields of justice, education and migration.
A Century of Thuringian Elections: Is history repeating?
The elections in Thuringia, both in 1924 and 2024, reveal alarming parallels in the rise of right-wing extremism and its implications for democracy. The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) now dominates the state parliament, echoing the political shifts that led to past extremist regimes. History serves as a cautionary tale as concerns grow over democratic fragility.
Austrian Elections: Another blow for the European Union
Austria’s parliamentary elections on 29 September 2024 resulted in far-right Herbert Kickl being elected Chancellor, leading to concerns about the EU’s stability. The Freedom Party, although lacking a majority, is expected to form a coalition. With an anti-EU and pro-Russian stance, Kickl’s leadership could further polarise Austrian and European politics.
Navigating a World in Flux: Europe’s Shift to the Right
European politics have witnessed a significant shift to the right, with populist-right parties making notable gains in various countries. This trend poses a challenge for the EU and its member-states, as it reflects widespread discontent with political and economic developments. There is a need to address these issues effectively to prevent further rightward turns in the future.
Rights, Flights and Eurosceptics at the 2024 European Elections
The 7 main Parliamentary Groups propose diverse migration policies, social rights initiatives, and Euroscptic views. From the EPP’s emphasis on crisis country support to The Left’s critique of neoliberal policies, each group presents distinctive stances.
The Politics of Eurovision: Crises and tactical voting
Eurovision, a significant part of European identity, marries music and politics. Created in 1956, voting patterns reflect political sentiments, highlighting the impact of crises on public opinions. The contest also serves as a stage for political statements and progressive representation, bolstering European soft power.
Qatargate: who cares? European voters might not, but practitioners must
The Qatargate scandal, involving €1.5 million found with high-ranking EU individuals, has raised concerns about the handling of the investigation, the return of implicated individuals to Parliament, and the substantial sums involved. As the EU Parliamentary elections approach, the impact on voter sentiment remains uncertain, with growing interest in the elections potentially impacted by the scandal.
Externalisation: The failed attempt to reimagine asylum
Externalisation of the asylum process has resulted in a shifting border, moving it for both deterrence or prevention, and exacerbating the humanitarian asylum crisis
The Doomed EU-Led Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo
The EU-facilitated deal aims to normalise these relations by Serbia and Kosovo agreeing to certain conditions that each has a hard time accepting. The main goal is to ease tensions, prevent an escalation of a conflict, and progress their respective EU integration paths.
How has Brexit changed UK study for EU students?
Since the UK’s exit from the European Union in 2021, the cost of university tuition fees for EU nationals in the UK has skyrocketed. This will negatively affect the UK’s economy with more EU students choosing to study elsewhere, such as The Netherlands.
The Domain of Work: Closing the inequality gap
Despite greater numbers of women in higher education, gender disparities still exist in work across Europe. If Member States can reduce these gaps, both prosperity and GDP would improve across the continent.
A Tale of Two Conflicts: European responses to mass-migration
The Ukrainian exodus has demonstrated the ability of Member States to respond to a crisis, by opening their doors and implementing welcoming policies, and should be studied as a good example of what can be achieved.
The Accessibility of Childcare: A Public Concern
When the institution of care is seen as a public responsibility as opposed to a private matter, European nation states are more economically stable and children are granted high levels of education or care.
‘Culture Wars’ and the EU: LGBT rights as a political weapon
The topic of LGBT rights has been increasingly politicised, becoming a powerful weapon in the hands of both incumbents and aspiring populist leaders. Posing the question: to what extent has the discussion on LGBT rights in the EU reached constitutional and potentially structurally relevant levels?
Immigration and Access to Healthcare in Europe: An ongoing struggle
Minorities, and particularly immigrant populations, have less access to healthcare than the general population in Europe. Immediate and large-scale results can be achieved by making healthcare policies in Europe more inclusive.
Europe and Gender Recognition: A shared approach
Many European Nations such as the UK and Poland are not doing enough to legally protect the rights of their gender diverse and transgender citizens.
On Cooperation and Competition: Implications for social progress and international relations
Investigating the primal nature of the relationship which binds us into society can disclose important information about the institutions we build and those we aim at building.
Brexit and the Good Friday Agreement – An Explainer
As the UK pursues a ‘hard’ Brexit, there is a risk that the reintroduction of economic barriers in Ireland will undermine the Good Friday Agreement and could fuel conflict, creating challenges for the EU.
Pandemics and Persistent Politicians: The link between Covid-19 and continuity
Whilst many decisions appear rooted in social and economic issues, there is a wider trend affecting Europe’s voting populations. As citizens return to polling stations in the aftermath of the first wave, they highlight their greatest current need – the need for consistency and regularity, in a world wracked with uncertainty.
A Populist’s Problem: British Governance in the Age of Corona
To avoid being panned as yet another ineffectual elite, Prime Minister Boris Johnson must solve the ‘populist problem’ and make good on the Brexiteers’ populist appeals while governing.
Will coronavirus lead to a Social Democratic renaissance in Europe?
To avoid repeating the same mistakes following the 2008 financial crisis, social democrats must focus on (re)establishing competency, appealing to grievances generated by the pandemic that comprise a winning coalition, and making a policy offer that is both credible and ambitious.
Populism and Covid-19: The necessity of a coordinated response
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the inadequacies of populist parties’ policymaking and may leave room for the rise of more extreme political parties as citizens are further disillusioned by their respective governments.
The key role of the Western Balkans in the management of EU-directed migration flows
The EU and the Western Balkans are engaged in a do ut des relationship that seems to satisfy both parties in terms of security and development but that fails to take into account the needs of people on the move.
Postal votes, postponement and pandemics: Democracy in the era of Covid-19
Honouring democracy and the democratic right to vote without putting your health at risk is an important task that the state must comply with and arrange to ensure it is following EU election standards.
Europe, Migration and Covid-19: Turning point or consolidation of the status quo?
Covid-19 deeply affected the field of asylum and migration, already one of the most politicised topics within the EU, without a coordinated response being elaborated by member states.
The Class and Race Divides of Covid-19
Covid-19 continues to create havoc across the world, destroying people’s lives at large. IDRN explores the repercussions this is having on the class and race divide in society.
The future of think tanks in a post-Covid-19 world: Looking to (social) science for the answers
Whilst medical science continues to dominate the news as national governments seek solutions to Covid-19, it is important to remember the vital role that social scientific inquiry can play in the fight against the pandemic.
Europe’s Future: The impact of Covid-19 on populism
As countries across the world struggle to deal with the impacts of Covid-19, Europe faces another problem that does not seem to go away – Populism.
The Economics of Enrolment: The effects of Covid-19 on higher education
What impact will Covid-19 have on the Higher Education sector? IDRN explores what impact an economic downturn will have on the enrollment of university students for the upcoming academic year.