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Articles by John Lloyd
Europe shifts to the right: what does this portend?
11 June 2024 Although not all the votes in the European Parliament elections have been counted yet, the trend is clear: the liberals, greens, social democrats and the left have lost ground, while the conservatives, right-wing populists and the far right have made gains. Hence, the balance of power in Strasbourg has shifted clearly to the right. Europe's press debates how marked the shift is and how much of an impact it will make.
Europe shifts to the right: where will it lead?
12 June 2024 While the official results of the EU elections are not yet in, the trend is clear: the liberals, greens and social democrats left have lost considerable ground, while the conservatives, right-wing populists and far right have made strong gains. This means a clear shift to the right in the balance of power in Strasbourg. Commentators in Europe's press take different views of how significant the shift is and what impact it will have.
Can Roger Scruton save the European Right?
A spectre is haunting Europe — the spectre of Sir Roger Scruton. Three years after his death, the professor’s philosophical ghost is still present, and is reaching echelons of influence that eluded him in his lifetime. For the first time, self-proclaimed Scruton acolytes have climbed to the top of European political parties — and governments — in Italy and in Sweden.
Australia can stand up for the Afghan people, and the time is now
On 19 April, a suicide bomber struck as students were coming out of school in Kabul, Afghanistan, leaving dozens injured and at least six dead. The brutality of the attack – and others that occurred later that week – shook Afghanistan and the Afghan diaspora in Australia. The youngest victim appeared to be aged under 10, a member of the Hazara community facing Taliban persecution and attacks by ISIS-affiliates in the country, raising alarm about continued human rights abuses against Hazaras.
Taiwan, Ukraine, and Huntington’s Clash of Civilisations Revisited
An officer of the People's Police of Lugansk is pictured near Slavyanoserbsk, east Ukraine December 9, 2021: (Photo by Alexander Reka via Getty Images) An attack on Ukraine by the Russian forces massed on its eastern border would nakedly demonstrate the nature of President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarianism and, by extension, the nature of authoritarianism itself.
The closing of the Russian mind
The Russian state is, bit by bit, squeezing out political and intellectual challenge. Alexei Navalny will, in February, complete the first year of a two-and-a-half-year sentence in the Pokrov corrective colony on charges of slander and breach of parole. His jailing removed the most active centre of protest, and the creator of the most inventive and pointed demonstrations of elite corruption in the Putin regime.
Bitter Lessons from Afghanistan
US Air Force Pararescuemen with the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron secure an area after being lowered from an HH-60 Pave Hawk during a mission November 7th, 2012 in Afghanistan. Alamy A review of Can Intervention Work?
The Ear Whisperers
Advisors to rulers, wrote Machiavelli in his Discourses, would achieve their best results by “putting their case with moderation instead of assuming responsibility for it, and by stating one’s views dispassionately and defending them alike dispassionately and moderately—so that, if the city or prince accepts your advice, he does so of his own accord, and will not be seen to have been driven to it by your importunity.” Advising rulers has been dangerous in past times, including Machiavelli’s.
The New Age of Empire-A Review
A review of The New Age of Empire: by Kehinde Andrews. Bold Type Books, 288 pages. (March 2021) In the days and weeks following the death of George Floyd, as Americans marched, and in some cases, burned their own cities, the world of public relations swung into action. They advised their clients to take note of these developments, and to be aware that hitherto innocuous attitudes and products might cause unintended offence in the new climate.
Visions Are Sublime; Social Reform Is Messy
The 2020 US elections and the subsequent inauguration of Joe Biden have returned a centre-Left party to power in the United States, buoyed by a Democratic majority in Congress and the Senate (though the first is thin and the second is only a single vote).
The Search for a Politics of Community
After COVID-19—when that moment finally arrives—will be a bleak time for most. Debts must be reckoned with; cuts must be made; seasons of possibly violent political struggle will not be avoided. But COVID-19 monopolises so much news media time and content, that it has frozen or put out of most minds large social and political issues with which democracies will have to contend in due course. They may have to deal with them to remain democracies.
Roger Law - Oldie Puppeteer of the Year, 80 today. By John Lloyd
The genius puppet-master, 80 today, created the original Spitting Image – and now he's back for more Roger Law - Oldie Puppeteer of the Year At 80, when he should be dozing by the fire with his eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Roger Law has had the temerity to revive Spitting Image, 36 years after it began. It was hard enough back then. I was in my early thirties, he in his early forties, and it nearly killed both of us.
Is China the Governance of the Future?
In his 2009 book When China Rules the World, Martin Jacques notes with satisfaction that as a Chinese world order begins to take shape, the American world order is eroding with remarkable speed. His widely praised book is highly complimentary to the present Chinese polity and to its president, Xi Jinping—Jacques sees the huge nation as an example to developing countries, especially in its creation of what he calls a proactive, competent, and strategic state.
Is China the Governance of the Future?
In his 2009 book When China Rules the World, Martin Jacques notes with satisfaction that “as a Chinese world order begins to take shape, the American world order is eroding with remarkable speed.” His widely praised book is highly complimentary to the present Chinese polity and to its president, Xi Jinping—Jacques sees the huge nation as an example to developing countries, especially in its creation of what he calls a “proactive, competent, and strategic state.” Jacques is one of the most...
The Russia Report
A report released this July by the UK’s House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee is more concerning than its relatively restrained prose appears to indicate. It shows us that Russia is an enemy determined to undermine liberal values and institutions, and it exposes a galaxy of details of Russian malignity—an alarming reminder of just how deep and how dangerous the threat is.
Twilight of Democracy—A Review - Quillette
A review of Twilight of Democracy by Anne Applebaum, Doubleday (July 2020), 224 pages.
The Battle for Russian Journalism
Russia is a heavily authoritarian state, where the ruling class serves itself first and best. The country’s politics revolve almost entirely around the figure of Vladimir Putin, who has been the nation’s president (with one four-year break) since 2000. Closely researched books—such as Putin’s Kleptocracy by the late academic Karen Dawisha, and Putin’s People by the journalist Catherine Belton—convincingly expose his personal corruption and the culture of theft among his closest associates.
After the Virus: The Way We Live Next
How will we live, or be forced to live, after the pandemic? “I don’t know” is—according to Paul Collier, the famed development economist—the most honest answer to this question and others related to the cause, rise, treatment, and decline of the current pandemic. This is, after all, an unprecedented disease of rare speed and communicability, for which there is no cure and no agreed political and social response.
After the Virus: The Way We Live Next
How will we live, or be forced to live, after the pandemic? “I don’t know” is—according to Paul Collier, the famed development economist—the most honest answer to this question and others related to the cause, rise, treatment, and decline of the current pandemic. This is, after all, an unprecedented disease of rare speed and communicability, for which there is no cure and no agreed political and social response.
The fraudulent, the offensive and the idiotic
Time was when the political right and social conservatives were enthusiasts for censorship – for “no-platforming” drama, film and books deemed obscene, disrespectful of authority or unpatriotic.
We Must Keep Law-Breaking CFMEU On A Short Leash
The survival of the Australian Building and Construction Commission has become a customary element of federal election campaigns. The ABCC was established in 2005, abolished in 2012, became the trigger for the 2016 double-dissolution election and was re-established that year. The ALP plans to abolish it if it wins the May 18 election. Perhaps many are ambivalent about the role of the ABCC.
Despite Brexit, I'm proud to be a Brit
This is a fine time to be British. Indeed, to be proud to be British. You would not, to be sure, think so from this past week in London – as the House of Commons humiliated Prime Minister Theresa May by throwing out her plan for Brexit in Tuesday by 432 votes to 202 – an unprecedented rejection. On Wednesday, the Labour Party moved that her government had lost the confidence of the House – a manoeuvre defeated only narrowly, by 325 votes to 306.
Despite Brexit, I'm still proud to be a Brit
LONDON - This is a fine time to be British. Indeed, to be proud to be British. You would not, to be sure, think so from the last week in London — as the House of Commons humiliated Prime Minister Theresa May by throwing out her plan for Brexit on Jan. 15 by 432 votes to 202 — an unprecedented rejection. The next day, the Labour Party moved that her government had lost the confidence of the House — a maneuver defeated only narrowly, by 325 votes to 306.
No, Brexit Britain doesn't want its empire back
Britain is moving towards an exit from the European Union on March 29, possibly with no agreement, and thus courting – according to the Bank of England – an 8 percent drop in GDP and a 7.5 percent rise in unemployment. A drear prospect, attended by matching drear commentaries on the stupidity of the 52 percent of the British electorate who voted for Brexit in 2016. Some observers have seen the vote as evidence that imperial urges still dominate.
Britain doesn’t want its empire back
Britain is moving towards an exit from the European Union (EU) on March 29, possibly with no agreement, and thus courting, according to the Bank of England, an eight per cent drop in GDP and a 7.5pc rise in unemployment. A dreary prospect attended by matching dreary commentaries on the stupidity of the 52pc of the British electorate that voted for Brexit in 2016. Some observers have seen the vote as evidence that imperial urges still dominate.
2019 Will Be The Year Of More State Control
Authored by John Lloyd, op-ed via Reuters.com, A signature theme of the new year is the possibility of a malign confrontation between the world’s greatly enhanced capacity for electronic surveillance and the weakening of democratic control. The antidote to that risk is the democratic spirit and civil freedoms – both of which are suffering world-wide. These are not dead, but they are unwell, at times untended.
2019 will be the year of more state control
A signature theme of the new year is the possibility of a malign confrontation between the world’s greatly enhanced capacity for electronic surveillance and the weakening of democratic control. The antidote to that risk is the democratic spirit and civil freedoms – both of which are suffering world-wide. These are not dead, but they are unwell, at times untended.
OPINION: Expect 2019 to severely test global stability
By JOHN LLOYD The resignation of US Defense Secretary James Mattis stands not only as a radical disassociation from the actions of the president he served, but as a foreboding for the future, a warning for 2019 – and beyond. And, for all the assurances that the world is getting better, such as Steven Pinker’s “Enlightenment Now,” there are huge geopolitical challenges to face and master to make that optimism real.
Expect 2019 to test global stability
The resignation of US Defense Secretary James Mattis stands not only as a radical disassociation from the actions of the president he served, but as a foreboding for the future, a warning for 2019 – and beyond. And, for all the assurances that the world is getting better, such as Steven Pinker’s “Enlightenment Now,” there are huge geopolitical challenges to face and master to make that optimism real.
Expect 2019 to test global stability
LONDON - The resignation of U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis stands not only as a radical disassociation from the actions of the president he served, but as a foreboding for the future, a warning for 2019 — and beyond. And, for all the assurances that the world is getting better, such as Steven Pinker’s “Enlightenment Now,” there are huge geopolitical challenges to face and master to make that optimism real.
Expect 2019 to test global stability
The resignation of US Defense Secretary James Mattis stands not only as a radical disassociation from the actions of the president he served, but as a foreboding for the future, a warning for 2019 - and beyond. And, for all the assurances that the world is getting better, such as Steven Pinker’s “Enlightenment Now,” there are huge geopolitical challenges to face and master to make that optimism real.
Christian revivals around the world are prompted more by politicians than churches
Christmas is invariably the time for a grouch that neither Christ nor mas(s) feature much in a festival meant to rededicate Christian believers to the worship of the son of God. Materialism, especially for children, swamps, on this view, any reflection on the meaning of a Christian — or religious — life.
Christian revivals prompted more by politicians than churches
Christmas is invariably the time for a grouch that neither Christ nor mas(s) feature much in a festival meant to rededicate Christian believers to the worship of the son of God. Materialism, especially for children, swamps, on this view, any reflection on the meaning of a Christian — or religious — life.
Christian revivals prompted more by politicians than churches
Christmas is invariably the time for a grouch that neither Christ nor mas(s) feature much in a festival meant to rededicate Christian believers to the worship of the son of God. Materialism, especially for children, swamps, on this view, any reflection on the meaning of a Christian – or religious – life.
The torture of Theresa May
Now is the time for all good citizens to put their elected politicians on the rack. Torture is what tyrants visited – and, often, still visit – upon real or presumed enemies among their own people. But subjecting their leaders to prolonged public humiliation has come to be a default position among democracies. None knows this better than the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Theresa May.
The torture of Theresa May
Now is the time for all good citizens to put their elected politicians on the rack. Torture is what tyrants visited - and, often, still visit - upon real or presumed enemies among their own people. But subjecting their leaders to prolonged public humiliation has come to be a default position among democracies. None knows this better than the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Theresa May.
The torture of Theresa May
Now is the time for all good citizens to put their elected politicians on the rack. Torture is what tyrants visited – and, often, still visit – upon real or presumed enemies among their own people. But subjecting their leaders to prolonged public humiliation has come to be a default position among democracies. None knows this better than the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Macron illuminates European hypocrisies
Emmanuel Macron is the largest political force in Europe today, but he is a force now hemmed in, constrained, trapped. The hurricane of his success last year – the defeat of the far-right Marine Le Pen, the sweeping assembly victory of his newly-minted party, La République En Marche!, made him imperial in his power. That power now is much diminished, as is Europe itself. Yet though Macron’s ambitions are curtailed and his power sapped, he has taught the world some useful lessons.
Why this is a season of discontent
Democratic governments are rarely popular for extended periods, and often have to scrape by with low polls, noisy demonstrations and constant pressure from the media. And though authoritarian regimes can squash dissent and muzzle the news, they too face rising discontent. These patterns aren’t new, but now they happen as administrations of every kind are under increasing, and new, pressures – and the challenge of recession looms. In the democratic world, France is the present exhibit A.
For governments right and left, a season of discontent
Democratic governments are rarely popular for extended periods, and often have to scrape by with low polls, noisy demonstrations and constant pressure from the media. And though authoritarian regimes can squash dissent and muzzle the news, they too face rising discontent. These patterns aren’t new, but now they happen as administrations of every kind are under increasing, and new, pressures - and the challenge of recession looms. In the democratic world, France is the present exhibit A.
For governments right and left, a season of discontent
Democratic governments are rarely popular for extended periods, and often have to scrape by with low polls, noisy demonstrations and constant pressure from the media. And though authoritarian regimes can squash dissent and muzzle the news, they too face rising discontent. These patterns aren’t new, but now they happen as administrations of every kind are under increasing, and new, pressures – and the challenge of recession looms. In the democratic world, France is the present exhibit A.
A season of discontent
Democratic or authoritarian, nobody is trusting governments these days Democratic governments are rarely popular for extended periods, and often have to scrape by with low polls, noisy demonstrations, and constant pressure from the media. And though authoritarian regimes can squash dissent and muzzle the news, they too face rising discontent.
For governments right and left, a season of discontent
Democratic governments are rarely popular for extended periods, and often have to scrape by with low polls, noisy demonstrations and constant pressure from the media. And though authoritarian regimes can squash dissent and muzzle the news, they too face rising discontent. These patterns aren’t new, but now they happen as administrations of every kind are under increasing, and new, pressures – and the challenge of recession looms. In the democratic world, France is the present exhibit A.
The prolonged torture that is Brexit
LONDON – BBC political correspondent Chris Mason stood outside of the mother of parliaments on Nov. 12 and said he didn’t have the “foggiest idea” about where Brexit is going. Then he made what have been described as “exasperated noises” — and promptly became an online viral sensation. But Mason’s exhalations were a disgrace for two reasons. There was much to explain about the U.K. government’s draft deal on leaving the European Union, and many future possibilities to explore.
The prolonged torture that is Brexit
The UK is being shredded bit by bit BBC political correspondent Chris Mason stood outside of the British Parliament on Monday morning and said he didn’t have the “foggiest idea” about where Brexit was going. Then he made what has been described as “exasperated noises” -- and promptly became an online viral sensation. But Mason’s exhalations were a disgrace for two reasons.
The prolonged torture that is Brexit
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason stood outside of the mother of parliaments on Monday morning and said he didn’t have the “foggiest idea” about where Brexit is going. Then he made what have been described as “exasperated noises” - and promptly became an online viral sensation. But Mason’s exhalations were a disgrace for two reasons. There was much to explain about the UK government’s draft deal on leaving the European Union, and many future possibilities to explore.
OPINION: Pondering a post-Merkel Europe
One of the world’s most famed political cartoons is John Tenniel’s “Dropping the Pilot.” Published by Punch in 1890, it depicts the dismissal of Otto von Bismarck as chancellor of the German empire by portraying him, in the uniform of a ship’s pilot, descending into a small boat as Kaiser Wilhelm II watches unconcernedly from a liner’s railings. Bismarck was the statesman who established the country as the pre-eminent political and industrial power of 19th-century Europe.
Beware the culture warriors of social media
The news media in the Western world remain dominated by newspapers, magazines and broadcasters still known as the mainstream. The most vivid proof of their continued reign over public opinion is in the figure of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose repeated attacks on “failing” publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post as “enemies of the people” is a backhanded tribute to their continued power. Still, the dominance of the old media is under threat from the new.
JOHN LLOYD: How the culture wars are reshaping the media
And these new media channels now threaten to overcome that dominance. They bring voices from every part of the political and social spectrum in a fashion more intimate, direct and demotic than the mainstream – which is generally careful not to offend, to eschew profanity, to balance one view with another.
Beware the culture warriors of social media
The news media in the Western world remain dominated by newspapers, magazines and broadcasters still known as the mainstream. The most vivid proof of their continued reign over public opinion is in the figure of US President Donald Trump, whose repeated attacks on “failing” publications like the New York Times and the Washington Post as “enemies of the people” is a backhanded tribute to their continued power. Still, the dominance of the old media is under threat from the new.
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