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Editor's note
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What lies behind the crisis of contemporary democracy? David Held and Thomas Hale argue that we need to look back to the post-World War II settlement to find out. Conditions and values established then, they contend, have developed into an entrenched system of gridlock that lies behind issues such as the financial crisis, the refugee crisis, and our failure to address climate change – to name a few.
In 1000 BC, a strange anomaly in the Earth’s magnetic field occurred just over Jordan. Christopher Davies, who has studied this “geomagnetic spike”, explains how it challenges current theories about the dynamics and evolution of Earth’s hidden interior.
A Google search of the word “Americanisms” turns up claims that they are swamping, killing and absorbing British English. Paul Baker examines just how much the language is being influenced and finds that British English is remaining steadfast – when it comes to spellings. But gradable verbs like “frightfully” and “rather” – much used in classic English films like Brief Encounter – are on the wane, with a more direct, stripped down language emerging.
An estimated 22,000 people logged onto a flight tracker website to follow the progress of Priti Patel’s plane back from Nairobi yesterday, eager to find out her fate following her undeclared meetings in Israel. After a brief meeting at Downing Street upon landing, Patel handed in her resignation. This was a necessary move for a prime minister who desperately needs to show her strength, writes Andrew Scott Crines.
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Josephine Lethbridge
Interdisciplinary Editor
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Top story
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Fitria Ramli/Shutterstock.com
David Held, Durham University; Thomas Hale, University of Oxford
How can we sort out the crisis of contemporary democracy?
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Science + Technology
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Christopher Davies, University of Leeds
A strange patch of extremely strong magnetic field occurred over Jordan in 1000BC. Could we be about to face another one?
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Arts + Culture
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Paul Baker, Lancaster University
Is British English being swallowed up by American English – or are both versions simply following the same path to a more informal language?
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Nathan Abrams, Bangor University
American comedian Larry David has drawn fire for his jokes about the Holocaust. But he draws on a long tradition of Jewish humour.
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Lauren O' Hagan, Cardiff University
A simple signature can lead to an incredible story.
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Politics + Society
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Andrew Scott Crines, University of Liverpool
The writing was on the wall for the international development secretary as soon as she got on that aeroplane.
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Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos, Brunel University London
The uncertainty itself could amount to infringing on the right to private and family life.
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Thomas Weber, University of Aberdeen
The Nazi fuhrer's story about his 'resurrection' in 1918 is an important lesson for today.
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Punita Chowbey, Sheffield Hallam University
A new study provides a more nuanced understanding of the role food plays in healthy eating and family life.
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Simon Peplow, University of Exeter
Concerns over examining the Grenfell Tower disaster have been seen before.
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Cameron Hunter, University of Bristol
Dreams of new footprints on the moon are more about domestic politics than foreign policy.
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Theresa Simpkin, Anglia Ruskin University
Do you ever feel that you're just not good enough for your job?
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Business + Economy
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Nicholas Lord, University of Manchester
The morality of tax avoidance becomes problematic when it is aggressively pursued through creative schemes.
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Adam Behr, Newcastle University
Rock has long railed against The Man, but problems with the taxman highlight its internal contradictions.
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Karen Rowlingson, University of Birmingham
Inequality within generations is as pivotal as that between them.
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Paul Stott, Newcastle University
The 20th century was marked by a painful decline in UK shipbuilding, but it's time to leave the past behind.
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Health + Medicine
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Robin Bailey, University of Central Lancashire
Taxpayers' money would be better spent on therapies that are proven to work.
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Featured events
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Birmingham, Birmingham, B2 5EP, United Kingdom — University of Birmingham
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Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, London, London, City of, EC2A 3EY, United Kingdom — University of Sheffield
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Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, Manchester, M15 6BH, United Kingdom — Manchester Metropolitan University
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Sheffield, Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom — University of Sheffield
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