George Schöpflin is a member of the European parliament for Fidesz (Hungarian Civic Union) and was Jean Monnet professor of politics at University College London.

Recent articles

The crisis of 2008 is a consequence of the pervasive impact of market-driven ideology and policy on political, economic and social life across the globe. The profound consequences - being felt severely in countries such as Hungary - demand a wholesale rethinking of the role of the state in modern societies, says George Schöpflin.

The experience of modern European history demonstrates the advantages of representative democracy and the ill effects of direct democracy as embodied in referenda, writes George Schöpflin.

The idea of the referendum as an instrument of the people's will rests on pre-democratic foundations, says George Schöpflin.

Vladimir Putin's legacy to his successor as Russia's president is a form of authoritarian governance that is becoming a serious and active rival to democracy, says George Schöpflin.

Turkey's election has produced a clear win for the ruling party. But the country remains in the grip of a crisis involving two competing definitions of its very identity, says George Schöpflin.