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Could a compulsory voting system combat political apathy in Europe? July 2008 |
Could a compulsory voting system combat political apathy in Europe? Last month’s poll on the Generation Europe website revealed that 30% of you do not get involved in politics. Over 20% of you said you don’t believe in political parties. Although lower than the European average, it reflects a more worrying trend across Europe, where 67% of young people between 18 and 24 didn’t vote in the European elections of 2004 (compared to 54.3% on average). In your opinion, is voting a civic duty or is it a civil right? Do you believe a compulsory voting system could endow the EU with more legitimacy or do you agree with the suggestion that a low turnout for European elections demonstrates dissatisfaction with the political process? |
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What do you think of the instrumentalisation of sport for political ends? Mai 2008 |
What do you think of the instrumentalisation of sport for political ends? Do you think that the ongoing demonstrations and the current political debate over China, Tibet, and the Olympics is simply going too far? Or on the contrary, do you think that the Olympics are the right occasion, and instrument, to fight political battles? Reporters without Borders have replaced the Olympic circles with handcuffs and spread their campaign symbol the world over. Some European leaders have voiced their wish to boycott the opening ceremony on 8 August. |
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Kosovo's independence: what meaning for the future? March 2008 |
Do you think it is a sui generis event or the dawn of a new era in International Relations? On 17 February 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence. Whereas Serbia strongly refused to recognize it, the US and some EU Member States did. In our last online poll, you were 58.8% to consider that accepting the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo could constitute a threat to stability. Why? Although the EU will try to speak with one voice, not all EU Member States have recognized the independence of Kosovo. And Russia did not either. Why? |
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The Sarlusconi Berluscozy mania: a new trend? February 2008 |
What do you think about the public exposure of politicians’ private life? About a year ago, Silvio Berlusconi was writing a love letter to his wife in the Italian press. Recently, France has fed the international press with juicy stories that sell. The “President Bling-Bling”, the “Sarko-show”, many are the new references to the President of the French Republic. His love stories now make the headlines across Europe. This marks a new trend in the way politicians deal with their communication. Tony Blair had set the trend of a 21st century political communication. Yet, despite the crispy Spin Doctor’s Diary by Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair did not exactly intend to expose his private life to such extent. |
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Separatism in a globalising world... does it make sense? Autumn 2007 |
Do you believe all nations should have the right to their own state? Throughout the world there are countless nations that do not have the opportunity to exercise the “right” to self-determination. In the case of Kosovo, some warn that independence would create a dangerous precedent in international law, since it would in effect condone ethnic and border adjustments according to ethnic composition. In other countries, such as Spain, United Kingdom or even Israel, ethnic minorities have also used violence in their struggle for independence... What is your take on this? Do you believe all nations should have the right to their own state? Can violence be condoned in the struggle to achieve independence? Are larger states justified in refusing independence to minorities? |
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The best and worst European cities, according to you! March 2007 |
Which city in Europe did you like most and which one would you never go back to? In recent years, following the low-cost travel revolution and the EU Enlargement to the former Eastern Bloc (and with the potential of further expansion to the Western Balkans), traveling all over Europe and discovering new destinations became a privilege for your generation. In addition, the Erasmus program has been contributing to young people’s mobility for two decades now, and provides a chance for them to get to know some new countries and cities, along with their cultures and traditions. What’s your story on this? Which city in Europe did you like most and which one would you never go back to? Why? Tell us about your impressions, good moments, bad moments… |
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A case of enlargement fatigue? December 2006 |
How do you feel about enlargement? Do you think the European Union should continue to expand and accept new member states? If so, what do you think should be the criteria for accession? Are you afraid that Turkish workers would come and join the Polish workers in Western Europe? |
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Halt to aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government May 2006 |
In your opinion, is it justified to punish the Palestinians for having brought Hamas into government through democratic elections? In April this year the European Commission halted aid payments to the Hamas-led Palestinian government. Now the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, has appealed for a concerted regional effort to ensure that funds get through to the Palestinian people and EU foreign ministers said a plan was urgently needed to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinians without going through the Hamas-led government. “In your opinion, is it justified to punish the Palestinians for having brought Hamas into government through democratic elections? Do you believe these sanctions will address some of the issues at hand, such as demanding the recognition of the state of Israel by Hamas or do you see it more as an antagonistic move by the European Union?' |
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Restrictions on workers from the new member states April 2006 |
Is it fair to have restrictions on workers from new member states? Indeed, in May 2004, all EU-15 states - with the exception of Britain, Ireland and Sweden - decided to keep their doors closed to workers from eight of the ten new member states (all except for Cyprus and Malta). Then, when at the end of April 2006, they were again asked whether they would keep, abolish or change their approach to the issue, only Finland, Greece, Portugal and Spain indicated their intention to remove the restrictions. “In your opinion, are there legitimate social and economic reasons for keeping the restrictions in place, or is this principally a political problem? Does your answer depend on the country in question?” |
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Does Iran represent a credible threat to international security? March 2006 |
Does Iran represent a credible threat to international security? President Ahmadinejad says Iran has an 'inalienable right' to produce nuclear fuel, however, in a country whose recent history is dominated by war and dictatorship, it must be questioned whether it can be trusted to produce nuclear power. With such ambiguity and secrecy coming from Iran, it is not surprising that Western powers are suspicious of Iran’s activities and see it as a threat to international security. |
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Should there be a limit to free speech and if so where? February 2006 |
In a break with previous issues which have tested our correspondents to resolve such questions as 'does God exist?' and 'what is the purpose of life' this month they were supposed to look within themselves for the answer. Interestingly, this seems to have been the hardest question ever set! ‘Should there be a limit to free speech and if so where?’ |
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Is Volunteering only for the Rich and the Privileged? January 2006 |
In a break with previous issues which have tested our correspondents to resolve such questions as 'does God exist?' and 'what is the purpose of life' this month the correspondents were supposed to look within themselves for the answer. Interestingly, this seems to have been the hardest question ever set! "Is volunteering only for the rich and the privileged?" |
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You and your clothes November 2005 |
In a break with previous issues which have tested our correspondents to resolve such questions as 'does God exist?' and 'what is the purpose of life' this month the correspondents were supposed to look within themselves for the answer. Interestingly, this seems to have been the hardest question ever set! "What do the colours you wear say about you?" |
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Censoring the Internet October 2005 |
The issue of the freedom of expression is at the heart of the world wide web where anyone, any where can make public their passions, concerns, interests to the world. While for the majority, the Internet is used to publicise harmless information yet it is also being abused to promote political and religious fanaticism as well as illegal pornography which can endanger children. In October, we therefore asked our Your Sayers to respond to the following question: ‘Should the Internet be censored?’ |
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Religion & Society September 2005 |
After giving our Your Sayers a rest over the summer which has seen terrorist bombings in London and the continued conflict in Iraq, in September we asked them the following question: ‘Is the role of religion dead in today’s society?’ |
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Constitutional crisis June 2005 |
In May 2005 we asked our panel the following question: Crime and Punishment: Is capital punishment the answer to reducing crime ? |
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Crime and Punishment May 2005 |
In May 2005 we asked our panel the following question: Crime and Punishment: Is capital punishment the answer to reducing crime ? |
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Legalising euthanasia April 2005 |
In light of the Terry Shiavo affair, in April 2005 we asked our panel of Your Sayers the following question: Deciding life and death, should euthanasia be legalized? |
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A threat from the East? March 2005 |
In March 2005 we asked our panel the following question: Is China a threat, if so how and who does China threaten? |
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Protecting the environment February 2005 |
In February 2005 we asked our panel the following question: What more should be done to protect the environment? |
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Ethical consumers December 2004 |
In December 2004, we asked our panel the following question: Consumers claim they think ethically. Evidence suggests that this intent does not drive purchasing decisions in practice. Why is this and what must be done to turn thought into action? |
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Employment and Young People September 2004 |
In September 2004, we asked our panel the following question: Why is it harder for young people to find a job nowadays? |
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Alcohol and young people August 2004 |
In August 2004, we asked our panel the following question: Evidence suggests that young people are drinking more alcohol than ever before, why do you think this is? |
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Can Europe cope with more immigrants? July 2004 |
In July 2004, as a boat was held off the coast of Italy with hundreds of immigrants from North Africa, unable to return to their country of origin, but also unable to land, we asked our correspondents: Can Europe cope? Do you think that immigration is a help or a hindrance to European growth? |
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Election follow-up: Is public support for EU in decline? June 2004 |
In June 2004, following the European Parliament elections, we asked our correspondents the following question: Does the drop in turnout and increase support for anti-EU candidates in the European Parliament elections indicate that public support for the EU is in decline? |
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Trafficking in women and children May 2004 |
In May 2004, we asked our panel the following question: ‘How can the problem of trafficking of women for prostitution in Europe best be tackled?’ |
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Enlargement May 2004 |
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A referendum on the EU Constitution March 2004 |
In March 2004, following the decision by many EU governments to let their citizens decide on whether to approve of an EU Constitution or not, we asked our panel the following question: ‘Do you think that there should be a EU-wide referendum on the EU Constitution? |
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European Elections: Your vote counts January 2004 |
In January 2004, as politicians and parties across the EU geared up for the European Parliament elections, we asked our panel the following question: ‘Do you believe that the European elections will fail to excite young people, if so, why?’ |
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Foreign Policy September 2003 |
In September 2003, in light of the EU's failure to reach a united policy over Iraq, we asked the question: 'Is a common foreign policy a good and realistic goal for the Union?' |
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Energy July 2003 |
Resolving the energy question is a hugely significant debate. With the need to find a sustainable solution to our energy needs, in July 2003 we asked: 'What's the Future of Energy?' |
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