Democracy requires choice, and a party that gets into the habit of denying the voters a choice is failing in its primary duty, however convenient that might be for its elected representatives.
Articles by Charles Richardson 
Russia goes its own way over Syria
Last week there was some hope that Russia might be coming on board with the need to do something about the steadily increasing bloodshed in Syria.
Canberra says no to grazing — so what are states for?
At least as the federal government sees things, the controversy over cattle grazing in Victoria’s Alpine National Park is now over.
Only faint hope for a deal with Iran on nukes
For a couple of months things have been looking pretty bleak on the Iranian front.
For Big Ted, it’s time to shift gears
The changing of the guard at the top may be a sign that Ted Baillieu feels it is time to shift gears.
Constitutional change unlikely, as usual
It’s more than 12 years since the last attempt to amend Australia’s constitution, the ill-fated republic referendum of 1999.
Surveilling discontent: Germany keeps a watch on the far-right
The German government has approved a plan to create a database of far-right extremists, as a response to the discovery of a neo-Nazi cell believed to be responsible for a string of murders.
With China watching, Taiwanese vote for pragmatism
Saturday’s presidential election in Taiwan saw incumbent Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT) or Chinese Nationalist Party, in power since 2008, re-elected fairly comfortably with 51.6% of the vote
Scots contemplate an independent future
Alex Salmond wants to be remembered as the founder of a new nation, but if he lets Cameron outmanoeuvre him on a referendum, then it could be a long time before Scotland gets another chance.
Richardson: Romney by eight votes, but that’s enough
There were two notable things that made this less than a perfect result from Romney’s point of view.
Yet another Iowa front-runner — yes, it’s Ron Paul
Already Newt Gingrich’s chances for the Republican nomination are being written off, and there is a new GOP frontrunner in Iowa — Texas congressman Ron Paul.
The year in elections: the 10 polls that mattered in 2011
It hasn’t been a big year for elections in Australia, but worldwide it’s been quite interesting. Crikey counts down the 10 elections that mattered in 2011.
Vaclav Havel, a hero for our time
The world is a poorer place this week with the loss of Vaclav Havel.
Race for the White House: what to watch for in Iowa
The Republican presidential campaign has already provided plenty of drama and entertainment, but things are about to get even more interesting.
Memo David Cameron: eurosceptics aren’t really on your side
The EU has its problems. Not just economic, but more deep-seated issues to do with its “democratic deficit” — the way the union has been managed by elites and unaccountable bureaucrats.
New Zealanders get what they voted for
New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has announced his new ministry, after final results from the NZ electoral commission confirmed his re-election for a second term.
Free speech and a car dealer come to grief in Thailand
Another setback yesterday for free speech, as Colorado car salesman Joe Gordon was sentenced in Bangkok to 2½ years jail for insulting the king of Thailand.
Turnbull diagnoses media’s crisis — and his own party’s
Most people these days look to Malcolm Turnbull for enlightenment not on economics but on politics, and that’s where things get interesting.
Do the Liberals have a conscience on gay marriage?
The media narrative is overwhelmingly obsessed with Labor’s position on the same-s-x marriage issue and the Coalition’s much larger anti-gay contingent has mostly been given a free pass.
The great Gingrich comeback gathers pace
It looks as if Christmas has come early for Barack Obama this week.
New Zealand sticks with National
As expected, John Key’s National Party was relatively untroubled in Saturday’s New Zealand election. But a strong performance from NZ First surprised some pundits.
NZ Nats cruising to victory, but poll nerds pay attention
New Zealand prime minister John Key and his National Party are cruising towards an easy victory in tomorrow’s poll. But those who are interested in the prospects for democracy will be interested.
