Fri 15th Jan 2010 - Should we worry about parliamentary coalitions?

This week, Justin will start the discussion on parliamentary coalitions, asking whether we should really worry about them.

“This too, I know, that England does not love coalitions.”
So quipped Benjamin Disraeli in December 1852. But as the spectre of a hung Parliament looms, is it really a bad thing to have a coalition government? After all, in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Israel and India, coalition cabinets are considered normal. Let’s leave the media to interrogate Nick Clegg and brand him as kingmaker; we will debate whether a coalition government is really something to worry about.

Suggested readings for the discussion:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_government
• http://theviewspaper.net/coalition-government-in-india/ (India)
• http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,651688,00.html (Germany)
• http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123790396087825363.html (Israel)
• http://www.arbitraryconstant.co.uk/archives/001430.php (UK)

As usual, we meet this Friday at 6pm in STICERD common area.