They said they’d clean up political donations. The major parties will certainly clean up

They said they’d clean up political donations. The major parties will certainly clean up

The independents said the bill to “reform” political donations was a stitch-up by Australia’s political duopoly. It sure looks that way.

  • byAnthony Whealy

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Shouty protesters,Elon Musk and our dumb attempts at democracy

Shouty protesters,Elon Musk and our dumb attempts at democracy

I was in the audience when Radiohead’s Thom Yorke called a heckler a coward. This episode got me thinking about freedom and protest – and how not to go about it.

  • byMalcolm Knox
Away from the ballot box,this vote is stacked for Trump

Away from the ballot box,this vote is stacked for Trump

If the US Supreme Court is called on to make a ruling over the presidential election,Donald Trump can be confident it will go his way.

  • byGeoffrey Robertson
Would a democracy hot dog move enough Americans to vote down a tyrant?
Tony Wright’s Column
US Votes 2024

Would a democracy hot dog move enough Americans to vote down a tyrant?

One in three eligible voters can’t be bothered to have a say in US presidential elections. Yet voting can – and should – be a passion and pleasure.

  • byTony Wright
‘Fascist’ Trump’s Garden party has echoes of America’s Nazi moment

‘Fascist’ Trump’s Garden party has echoes of America’s Nazi moment

The would-be US president admires fascists. That’s because he is one. It’s up to Americans to stop him.

  • byBruce Wolpe
Once blacklisted from Australia,Western leaders now want this hard man ruler on their side

Once blacklisted from Australia,Western leaders now want this hard man ruler on their side

Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration as Indonesian president on Sunday caps a remarkable political comeback from years on Western blacklists.

  • byZach Hope
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160 million Americans will vote. Only 538 will choose the next president

160 million Americans will vote. Only 538 will choose the next president

They are the members of the Electoral College. And they,in turn,are chosen by the legislatures of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

  • byPeter Hartcher
The next-gen leader and the forced video confessions on Facebook

The next-gen leader and the forced video confessions on Facebook

Observers say Cambodia’s change in leader is just an extension of times before,where opponents were threatened with beatings,“only they are younger”.

  • byZach Hope
They’re tackling Coles and Woolies,but who’ll dare break up the political duopoly?

They’re tackling Coles and Woolies,but who’ll dare break up the political duopoly?

A political system of two major parties – like a corporate duopoly – can be a comfortable place,but it’s not clear that the business model is working.

  • bySean Kelly
Democracy backsliding:Fewer people are voting,more doubt results

Democracy backsliding:Fewer people are voting,more doubt results

The Global Report on the State of the Democracy,which has measured democratic performance in 158 countries since 1975,is out. It has some good news too.

  • byJan Olsen
Defending our democracy:How a cranky uncle,Swedish inspo and ‘pre-bunking’ help out

Defending our democracy:How a cranky uncle,Swedish inspo and ‘pre-bunking’ help out

Our home-grown election system is the envy of the Western world. Will it be enough to inoculate us from AI,fake news and other threats to our way of life?

  • byNick Bryant