Editorial
| Date | 01 December 2010 |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.2041-9066.2010.00032.x |
| Published date | 01 December 2010 |
| Subject Matter | Editorial |
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Editorial
2010 has been a big year for political studies in the UK. As well as celebrating its 60th anniversary, the
Political Studies Association hosted its largest conference yet, in Edinburgh, and, earlier in the year,
launched this new magazine.
Of course, it has been a fairly important 12 months for the nation’s politicians, too.
This time last year Gordon Brown was rocking at the helm of a tired Labour administration. Now the title
of Prime Minister belongs to David Cameron, who heads up a coalition that seemed almost unthinkable
as 2009 drew to a close. Under Chancellor George Osborne, stimulus spending has given way to arguably
the most radical retrenchment of the state in any developed country.
If a week is a long time in politics, a year can feel like an eternity. In this issue, Ivor Crewe takes a look
back at some of the defining moments of this most memorable of political years, and wonders whether
Cameron and Clegg’s great political gamble can bear fruit in the long run.
Rhys Jones, Jessica Pykett and Mark Whitehead investigate the effect of the coalition’s new healthcare policy, where the
nanny state is out and the politics of ‘nudging’ is in. But whether it is really possible to use environmental design to nudge
citizens into sensible lifestyle choices remains to be seen. Elsewhere, Judith Squires asks why the number of women and ethnic
minorities in the House of Commons remains so stubbornly low.
Global terrorism is one issue that refuses to budge from the news agenda. Whether it is the targeting of cargo planes by
Islamists or dissident republicans in Northern Ireland, terrorists continue to pose a real threat to our democracy. Here Richard
English examines how we can best meet this challenge.
Another challenge over the past year has been the rise of the British far right. In this month’s debate, David Renton suggests
that only street resistance can combat this development, while Matthew Goodwin argues that resources would be better targeted
at improving our understanding of the roots of prejudice and racism.
Meanwhile, Chris Luenen looks at the emergence of a new international order, based around three regional monetary and
trading blocs, George Philip profiles Mexico’s on-going travails, and Paul Hainsworth investigates political reconstruction in
East Timor.
Political studies, of course, isn’t just concerned with the cut and thrust of global politics. Steven Curtis, a winner of the PSA’s
Bernard Crick award for outstanding teaching, makes the case for connecting politics students with practioners in the real world,
while mathematician George Szpiro shows why majority rule is still the worst electoral system - besides from all the others.
This issue also brings to a close volume one of Political Insight. I hope you all enjoyed the new magazine, and I would like to
thank all those whose hard work has made it possible. I look forward to seeing you all next year, and don’t forget if you want
to join in the debates or contribute just drop me an email (address on the opposite page).
Peter Geoghegan
Editor
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