Marx, P., (2014), “Labour market risks and political preferences: The case of temporary employment”, European Journal of Political Research, Vol. 53, Issue 1, pp.136-159. The political economy literature has gathered compelling evidence that labour market risks shape political preferences. Accordingly, insecurity fuels support for redistribution and left parties. This article analyses this argument for temporary workers, a so far neglected risk category which has increased dramatically in the past two …Read More

De Bromhead, A., Eichengreen, B. and O’Rourke, K., (2012), “Right Wing Political Extremism in the Great Depression”, Discussion Paper no. 95, University of Oxford, February. The enduring global crisis is giving rise to fears that economic hard times will feed political extremism, as it did in the 1930s. This column suggests that the danger of political polarisation and extremism is greatest in countries with relatively recent histories of democracy, with …Read More

Spolaore, En., (2013), “What Is European Integration Really About? A Political Guide for Economists“, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Vol. 27, N.3, pp. 125-44. Europe’s monetary union is part of a broader process of integration that started in the aftermath of World War II. In this “political guide for economists,” we look at the creation of the euro within the bigger picture of European integration. How and why were European institutions …Read More

Puntscher, S., Wydraa, D., (2013), “Representation in the European State of Emergency: Parliaments against Governments?”,  Journal of European Integration, Vol. 35, Issue 5, pp. 565-582. If governments allow themselves to be entirely bound to the decisions of their parliament, without protecting their own freedom to act, a break up of Europe would be a more probable outcome than deeper integration.’ The statement of the Italian Prime Minister and head of …Read More

Bellamy, R., Kröger, S., (2013), “Representation Deficits and Surpluses in EU Policy-making”, Journal of European Integration, Vol. 35, Issue 5, pp. 477-497. Representation and democracy are not always complementary. Sometimes the one undermines the other. Too much democracy can create a representation deficit, as occurs when majorities oppress or neglect minorities. However, the opposite can also arise. The over representation of different groups can undermine the processes whereby representatives are …Read More