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@s13GES
PhD candidate, mainly focussing on Political Communication, Media & Campaigning matters. Interests: EU(ropean), British & German Politics.
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Nov 16, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
That's not helpful, and quite stupid, really. Devolution isn't abused by SNP, the numbers for independence got stronger in the moment Tories attacked and undermined devolved settlements. /1 One of the biggest misconception, very prominent among Tories by the way, is the idea that devolved settlements can just be "granted" or work out well if all parties are committed to Unionism. That's plainly nonsensical and also not how political institutions work. /2
Nov 15, 2020 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Really interesting thread, to bring in the pol sci perspective: I'm not sure whether caution is the correct term, I would see it as caution and self-constraint. (Small Thread) /1 I'd argue that it doesn't really matter whether you exercise self-constraint & caution or whether you "externalise" it by installing another veto player inform of a) a strong constitutional court checking legislative & executive and b) making constitutional changes difficult. /2
Nov 15, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
I wonder: Would there be a Brexit in a consensus oriented system (e.g. PR in HoC + HoL w/ similar powers to Bundesrat and regional representation & devolved gov representation). My hunch, no. /1 Even if there would have been a push for a referendum, it's unlikely that NI or SCO dev governments would have agreed to it without regional quorum. /2
Nov 15, 2020 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
Looking at the current state of politics and how the negotiations between UK and EU have panned out so far, I think two thinks are striking: The absence of realism in UK's policy approach and its substitution with idealism. /1 Idealism here means the pursuit of what is deemed as an "ideal" state (or something very close to it). It's somewhat telling, that this has been perceived as Corbyn's biggest asset. The authenticity of what he communicates in combination with a radical pursuit of his ideal. /2
Nov 15, 2020 • 7 tweets • 2 min read
Well, there is always space to make it worse. But it also depends on the time frame, occasion and area. Leopold's reign in Congo is a good example, it was considered as abhorrent at his time (which is why he lost the colony to Belgium). /1 However, compare this to the practices to thee 17th and early 18th century and might have been seen as 'bad' but not significantly worse than the contemporaries of that time. /2
Nov 11, 2020 • 22 tweets • 4 min read
Lot's of the chatter of EU overplaying it's hand's highly overestimating a) UK's stability as a state, b) overestimating Johnson's position within the party when substantial downsides occur (e.g. UK's integrity as a state is in question) & c) underestimate the patience of EU. /1 The debate assumes that UK is in principle stable, that it can not just buffer any economic short, medium and long term shock but that state institutions who are already under stress (in particular looking at tensions within NI but also SCO-UK) can withstand no deal. /2
Nov 10, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
Quite good thread, well worth reading, for what it's worth "Unionism" as a term is a way too broad umbrella term for a views on the union which seem to have a different shape in England as in e.g. Scotland or Northern Ireland (and newly emerging Wales or "Northern" England). /1 On a side note, I was always surprised by literature who pointed out that the differences on values between SCO & ENG were marginal (in this context). That may be so, but what counts is a) perception & b) beyond spread and intensity of normative values, identity counts. /2
Nov 9, 2020 • 11 tweets • 3 min read
Two observations: 1) People object to this take for all the bad things (primarily that this would somewhat endorsing Brexit, which it doesn't). 2) Well founded objections seem rather rare to me, even though there are plenty of points you could criticise. (Thread) /1 1) China is the elephant in the room. This country is majorly active here since at least the early 00s, not just regarding energy security but also access to rare earth. It's a tough competitor significantly limiting UK's theoretical achievable "share of the cake". /2
Nov 5, 2020 • 22 tweets • 4 min read
Interesting exchanges underneath this Tweet. For what it's worth, the current success of AfD in East Germany and arguably right wing populism in USA and UK is a result of those shake ups. /1 If you look for concrete examples have a look on manufacturing in East Germany. It was highly unproductive, often several people did what one person with the right equipment could have done in half the time. /2
Nov 3, 2020 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
I don't think that Moray's remark are properly put in context here. While it's good to see that he puts his colleagues feet in fire, it also will draw attention that this doesn't change anything. /1 For one, it won't change the trajectory of any of the relevant policies. For people who now say that all damage can be repaired, just a word of caution: Repairing damage costs you more than the benefits of damaging in the first place. /2
Oct 7, 2020 • 17 tweets • 4 min read
Interesting thread but strange replies. The claim of UK being a primary defender of Europe is at best questionable and misleading at worst it's deceptive. (small thread) /1 For one, those arguments rarely explain which strategic assets precisely are the ones which either can't be replaced or which are a necessity to EU's defence capacity. /2
Oct 4, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
👇 Really important point in the current debate on judicial power. Lots of people seem to like those ideas hoping that they will rule in their favour. That's idiotic and dangerous. /1 Personally, I favour a codified constitution and a strong constitutional court being able to challenge legislature and executive. However, I see them as a veto player, not more and not less. /2
Sep 30, 2020 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Brief thread on a Tweet by a pro-Brexit academic who seems to think that migrating from a third country to EU countries means just completing few more forms. That's utter nonsense on many levels. /1 First, the fact that until now FoM in a meaningful sense (not just for holiday trips or short term study trips) has not been used is (also) due to the absence of push factors: The unemployment rate is rather low in UK compared to other developed countries in EU. /2
Sep 29, 2020 • 6 tweets • 3 min read
Really interesting paper by @kirsteenMM but I have doubts that this actually works: It is not so much that there are no conceivable structural arrangement but it's a matter of a) power and b) how to balance power asymmetry. /1 The crux is how to make decision in areas of "mutual interests": Do home nations have an equal or a qualified veto? Would an English government tolerate basically getting vetoed by a Welsh or Northern Irish or Scottish government? Why should they? /2
Sep 29, 2020 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Not that unique. Some of my followers may have experience with "Vorsingen", one of the last stages of the process for becoming professor. You are required to pick one topic of your choosing and hold a lecture. /1 You preferable chose a topic which a) matches the designated research profile of the professorship and b) illustrates the value for the University to put you in charge of it. Normally those lectures are announced to students and staff members who can attend. /2
Sep 24, 2020 • 9 tweets • 2 min read
It may work, but I doubt that for two reasons: There is no alignment on divergence within Tories but the topic is heavily contested. The critique from inside (what is the point? faxdemocracy!) could easily spin out of control. /1 Second, even with maximum alignment, there will be major disruptions as a result of choices. If you have disruptions without any upside, this will a) help SNP and b) Labour to make similar points as Tory opponents. /2
Sep 19, 2020 • 16 tweets • 3 min read
Really interesting thread on GDR's Palace of the Republic, one of the flagship projects of the authoritarian East German regime. Interestingly the debate about its demolition connects nicely with UK's debate on removal of statues on public display. Thread. /1 The palace of the republic was quite important for the East German regime. It was meant to illustrate the 'advancements and progress' of socialism. Lots of money has been put into building it. /2
Sep 16, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
No, it's not good. It doesn't change a iota. It's more something to fall back - in case UK breaches the WA - and say "we keep it open, up to EU". It provides false confidence on UK side that this actually work. /1 However, most likely outcome is that just the ones already confince will side with the government, the others will take this claim with a pinch of salt and accuse UK anyways. The outcome would be turmoil on UK side by groups "sceptic" about anything from Westminster anyway. /2
Sep 16, 2020 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
While the questions raised by @HzBrandenburg and @APHClarkson on what should the EU make out of it, e.g. if EU can assume good faith & how to prepare if UK ends up paralysed and/or imploding, I do wonder: Why are they incapable to stick to one line of communication? /1 If the whole drama was about putting pressure on EU, this looks rather like a climb down. In any case it's incoherent and lets observers wonder, where UK is heading (or if anybody has even an idea about HMG's reasoning). /2
Sep 16, 2020 • 5 tweets • 2 min read
Really good observation but I suspect it's less the behaviour which has changed but the original formula may not work (as good as before) anymore. Structural deficits have not just not been addressed but even amplified and that there is an attack on devolution is visible. /1 This attack.maybnot just be the currently debated bill, but a) the clear ignorance of devolved governments of public opinion of people in devolved regions during Brexit and b) Scottish government has been perceived as very competent (rightly or wrongly) compared to HMG. /2
Sep 15, 2020 • 5 tweets • 1 min read
Helpful thread on GER's policy priorities regarding Europe and EU. I'd also like to add, that on top of that there're preferences on domestic policy making additionally binding sources. Brexit's really far down the list, it's just not as relevant (especially not for the public). By the way, policy priorities for GER may change regarding how important is Brexit. But people really underestimate that the integrity of SM, CU & almost protecting existential interests of member states (i.e. Ireland) is way more relevant than amicable relations to UK.