Emma Vines | The Australian National University (original) (raw)
Papers by Emma Vines
A series of authors including ourselves have argued that there is a dominant, if contested, polit... more A series of authors including ourselves have argued that there is a dominant, if contested, political tradition (the BPT), that is a particular conception of democracy, that underpins to institutions and processes of British politics. However, here we argue that the BPT has never been more contested or vulnerable, focusing upon three contemporary challenges, the Scottish question, the rise of anti-politics and the demands to leave the European Union (EU), culminating in BREXIT, although we recognise there are others. At the same time, we contend that the BPT still plays a key role in how the political elite reacts to these challenges; its first response remains to preserve as much of the BPT as possible in changing circumstances. As such, the key question we address here is whether we are witnessing the beginnings of a fundamental shift in the nature of British political democracy, or whether, as so often before, the BPT and its adherents will adapt to, and accommodate, these challenges.
In a recent issue of The Political Quarterly, Richards and Smith critiqued Flinders’ work on anti... more In a recent issue of The Political Quarterly, Richards and Smith critiqued Flinders’ work on anti-politics, suggesting that there needs to be much more focus on supply-side explanations and recognising that much of the problem lies with politicians, contra Flinders. Here, we argue instead that it is crucial to recognise how supply-side and demand side explanations interact. For us, politicians need to be more responsive to citizens, but, at the same time, citizens need to recognise problems of contemporary governing. Overall, much is changing in the way in which citizens engage and it is crucial that these changes are understood.
This article analyses Ben Wellings’ recent contribution to the debate over the English Question, ... more This article analyses Ben Wellings’ recent contribution to the debate over the English Question, English Nationalism and Euroscepticism: Losing the Peace, and places it within the context of the British Political Tradition (BPT). Wellings develops the case for an English nationalism characterised by an opposition to European integration. Although this article is broadly in agreement with his central proposition that Euroscepticism is the most coherent expression of English nationalism, it takes issue with his secondary argument – that this nationalism is populist. Instead, this article reframes the case for Eurosceptic English nationalism in terms of a continued adherence to a BPT characterised by elitist ideas of responsibility and representation. Rather than being genuinely populist, the adoption of Eurosceptic attitudes by a growing section of the political class has been driven by a desire to perpetuate a political system that protects elite power and a culture of limited democratic participation. A study of Euroscepticism consequently offers evidence, not only of English nationalism, but also of the existence of a BPT that constrains and facilitates political action and development.
Parliamentary Affairs, 2016
This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the... more This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, have eroded the principle of parliamentary sovereignty that they sought to defend. Analysis of the Act and debates about an In-Out referendum during the Coalition government’s period of office from 2010-15, reveals an unintended consequence: recent debates and policies concerning the European Union have enshrined a populist nationalism opposed to European integration as part of contemporary British political culture.
Parliamentary Affairs, 2015
This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the... more This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, have eroded the principle of parliamentary sovereignty that they sought to defend. Analysis of the Act and debates about an In-Out referendum during the Coalition government’s period of office from 2010-15, reveals an unintended consequence: recent debates and policies concerning the European Union have enshrined a populist nationalism opposed to European integration as part of contemporary British political culture.
British Politics, 2016
Michael Kenny, Chris Gifford and Emma Vines critique Ben Wellings' 'English Nationalism and Euros... more Michael Kenny, Chris Gifford and Emma Vines critique Ben Wellings' 'English Nationalism and Euroscepticism: losing the peace (Oxford: Peter Lang, 2012) in the pages of 'British Politics' 10, 3, 2015.
Blogs by Emma Vines
Australian Outlook
The full ramifications of the events of 23 June, when a majority of British voters elected to lea... more The full ramifications of the events of 23 June, when a majority of British voters elected to leave the European Union, will not be clear for months, and perhaps years.
The Brexit vote is a classic example showcasing the rise of anti-politics. The anger and disillus... more The Brexit vote is a classic example showcasing the rise of anti-politics. The anger and disillusionment with mainstream politics is so great that populists seem to command greater trust despite remaining divisive. History seems to have reverberated with this vote bringing the politics of two controversial and contrasting European figures, Charles De Gaulle and Enoch Powell, to life.
Last time the British people were asked about membership to a European grouping the vote was two-... more Last time the British people were asked about membership to a European grouping the vote was two-to-one for continued membership. That was in 1975 and it seems a lot has changed in the subsequent decades. Not only did 52% vote for a Brexit, but we also now see a pro-Europe Scotland and a Eurosceptic England – the reverse of 1975. A question that must be asked – and will be by journalists, politicians and academics alike as Britain negotiates its exit – is simply, how did it come to this?
Anti-politics has increasingly preoccupied political scientists, with many seeking to explain fal... more Anti-politics has increasingly preoccupied political scientists, with many seeking to explain falling electoral participation and the growing gap between citizens and government. Yet the term ‘anti-politics’ presupposes that the actions of citizens are non-political. This is grossly misleading. We need only look at the rise of populist, anti-establishment parties across Europe – or, most prominently, the rise of Trump in America – to see that disenchantment with conventional politics is anything but non-political. Instead, as we argue in a new article in Political Quarterly, it represents anger and alienation rather than apathy, and a shift in political participation and the way people ‘do politics’.
Rather than empowering the electorate, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament reveal the... more Rather than empowering the electorate, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament reveal the triumph of populist politics.
In 2017 Britain will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. While there are a nu... more In 2017 Britain will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. While there are a number of reasons behind the vote, including, of course, Conservative backbench rebellion and increasing Euroscepticism, the story is in fact far more complex and goes well-beyond the issue of European integration. It in fact, also encompasses two powerful, and related, contemporary forces – populism and anti-establishment sentiment.
Op Eds by Emma Vines
Rather than empowering the electorate, argue Ben Wellings and Emma Vines, the EU referendum measu... more Rather than empowering the electorate, argue Ben Wellings and Emma Vines, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament since 2010 reveal the triumph of populist politics.
A series of authors including ourselves have argued that there is a dominant, if contested, polit... more A series of authors including ourselves have argued that there is a dominant, if contested, political tradition (the BPT), that is a particular conception of democracy, that underpins to institutions and processes of British politics. However, here we argue that the BPT has never been more contested or vulnerable, focusing upon three contemporary challenges, the Scottish question, the rise of anti-politics and the demands to leave the European Union (EU), culminating in BREXIT, although we recognise there are others. At the same time, we contend that the BPT still plays a key role in how the political elite reacts to these challenges; its first response remains to preserve as much of the BPT as possible in changing circumstances. As such, the key question we address here is whether we are witnessing the beginnings of a fundamental shift in the nature of British political democracy, or whether, as so often before, the BPT and its adherents will adapt to, and accommodate, these challenges.
In a recent issue of The Political Quarterly, Richards and Smith critiqued Flinders’ work on anti... more In a recent issue of The Political Quarterly, Richards and Smith critiqued Flinders’ work on anti-politics, suggesting that there needs to be much more focus on supply-side explanations and recognising that much of the problem lies with politicians, contra Flinders. Here, we argue instead that it is crucial to recognise how supply-side and demand side explanations interact. For us, politicians need to be more responsive to citizens, but, at the same time, citizens need to recognise problems of contemporary governing. Overall, much is changing in the way in which citizens engage and it is crucial that these changes are understood.
This article analyses Ben Wellings’ recent contribution to the debate over the English Question, ... more This article analyses Ben Wellings’ recent contribution to the debate over the English Question, English Nationalism and Euroscepticism: Losing the Peace, and places it within the context of the British Political Tradition (BPT). Wellings develops the case for an English nationalism characterised by an opposition to European integration. Although this article is broadly in agreement with his central proposition that Euroscepticism is the most coherent expression of English nationalism, it takes issue with his secondary argument – that this nationalism is populist. Instead, this article reframes the case for Eurosceptic English nationalism in terms of a continued adherence to a BPT characterised by elitist ideas of responsibility and representation. Rather than being genuinely populist, the adoption of Eurosceptic attitudes by a growing section of the political class has been driven by a desire to perpetuate a political system that protects elite power and a culture of limited democratic participation. A study of Euroscepticism consequently offers evidence, not only of English nationalism, but also of the existence of a BPT that constrains and facilitates political action and development.
Parliamentary Affairs, 2016
This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the... more This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, have eroded the principle of parliamentary sovereignty that they sought to defend. Analysis of the Act and debates about an In-Out referendum during the Coalition government’s period of office from 2010-15, reveals an unintended consequence: recent debates and policies concerning the European Union have enshrined a populist nationalism opposed to European integration as part of contemporary British political culture.
Parliamentary Affairs, 2015
This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the... more This article argues that the ‘referendum lock’ enshrined in the European Union Act (2011) and the pledge to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, have eroded the principle of parliamentary sovereignty that they sought to defend. Analysis of the Act and debates about an In-Out referendum during the Coalition government’s period of office from 2010-15, reveals an unintended consequence: recent debates and policies concerning the European Union have enshrined a populist nationalism opposed to European integration as part of contemporary British political culture.
British Politics, 2016
Michael Kenny, Chris Gifford and Emma Vines critique Ben Wellings' 'English Nationalism and Euros... more Michael Kenny, Chris Gifford and Emma Vines critique Ben Wellings' 'English Nationalism and Euroscepticism: losing the peace (Oxford: Peter Lang, 2012) in the pages of 'British Politics' 10, 3, 2015.
Australian Outlook
The full ramifications of the events of 23 June, when a majority of British voters elected to lea... more The full ramifications of the events of 23 June, when a majority of British voters elected to leave the European Union, will not be clear for months, and perhaps years.
The Brexit vote is a classic example showcasing the rise of anti-politics. The anger and disillus... more The Brexit vote is a classic example showcasing the rise of anti-politics. The anger and disillusionment with mainstream politics is so great that populists seem to command greater trust despite remaining divisive. History seems to have reverberated with this vote bringing the politics of two controversial and contrasting European figures, Charles De Gaulle and Enoch Powell, to life.
Last time the British people were asked about membership to a European grouping the vote was two-... more Last time the British people were asked about membership to a European grouping the vote was two-to-one for continued membership. That was in 1975 and it seems a lot has changed in the subsequent decades. Not only did 52% vote for a Brexit, but we also now see a pro-Europe Scotland and a Eurosceptic England – the reverse of 1975. A question that must be asked – and will be by journalists, politicians and academics alike as Britain negotiates its exit – is simply, how did it come to this?
Anti-politics has increasingly preoccupied political scientists, with many seeking to explain fal... more Anti-politics has increasingly preoccupied political scientists, with many seeking to explain falling electoral participation and the growing gap between citizens and government. Yet the term ‘anti-politics’ presupposes that the actions of citizens are non-political. This is grossly misleading. We need only look at the rise of populist, anti-establishment parties across Europe – or, most prominently, the rise of Trump in America – to see that disenchantment with conventional politics is anything but non-political. Instead, as we argue in a new article in Political Quarterly, it represents anger and alienation rather than apathy, and a shift in political participation and the way people ‘do politics’.
Rather than empowering the electorate, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament reveal the... more Rather than empowering the electorate, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament reveal the triumph of populist politics.
In 2017 Britain will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. While there are a nu... more In 2017 Britain will vote on its continued membership of the European Union. While there are a number of reasons behind the vote, including, of course, Conservative backbench rebellion and increasing Euroscepticism, the story is in fact far more complex and goes well-beyond the issue of European integration. It in fact, also encompasses two powerful, and related, contemporary forces – populism and anti-establishment sentiment.
Rather than empowering the electorate, argue Ben Wellings and Emma Vines, the EU referendum measu... more Rather than empowering the electorate, argue Ben Wellings and Emma Vines, the EU referendum measures passed by Parliament since 2010 reveal the triumph of populist politics.