Cooper Talks

The Wright reforms were a series of proposals to redress the balance between the government and Parliament, suggesting proposals to give ordinary MPs more control over the the legislative process and greater ability to scrutinize the government. Some have been introduced, while some have been ignored, but these reforms are crucial for understanding parliamentary reforms and the nature of the relationship between the government and parliament in the UK, as well as reflecting key constitutional reforms.

Made in 2015, this episode considers the nature of democracy and elections in the UK. More recent examples are available, but the principles and arguments are valid and important. Particularly, there is a focus on why participation matters and why attitudes to politics have changed as society changes. This contextualization is essential in A Level essays.

A look at pressure group activity in the USA, with particular focus on lobbying. Does it undermine democracy, or does it aid the national interest? Useful for A level students and for those learning about why the NRA is able to prevent tighter gun regulations from happening.

A look at what caucuses are, the criticisms and positives of them and the general problems they have in the wider primary process, with relevant examples.

In this episode I look at the key ways in which voting rights are being restricted, from gerrymandering, registration drives and voter ID laws, to cuts in early voting and restrictions on felon voting. These probably contributed to the greatest challenge to American democracy since the end of Jim Crow.

Following the unexpected news that Antonin Scalia died on the 13th February 2016. I look at the implications for the Supreme Court and the elections, as the game of political football begins and partisan bickering overshadows the death of a Justice.

In this episode we bring the partisan divide up to the present, looking at how and why the divide has increased in American Politics since Obama became President and the consequences for American democracy.

Following on from the last episode, this time we look at how the partisan divide developed in the 1970's and became established in the 1980's under Ronald Reagan and his legacy. Particularly, we consider the impact Reagan has had on his successors and the extension of the partisan divide to Congress bringing us up to 2008.

In this, the first of three podcasts looking at the partisan division in America, I look at the origins of the growing divide, from the period of bi-partisan cooperation in the 1930s-60s, the growth of social movements, white backlash, the Goldwater revolution, the establishment of primaries and the reasons why the Democrats and then the Republicans began to leave the common center ground before Watergate.

As the candidates start gearing up for big push in the new year, I take a look at why Presidential elections cost so much, covering the costs of simply getting on the ballot, the fact that more can lead to less in TV advertising and the other associated costs.