Easton's often-cited definition is most useful for the study of government or, as he puts it, for political systems able to allocate values authoritatively. It is of only limited use, however, for the study of systems without an overarching authority. The international system is a case in point....

2019 was an important year in Mediterranean migration. In late November, 213 migrants were allowed to disembark at the Sicilian port of Messina based on the EU's 'Malta declaration' of September 23. It was the first time that an NGO search-and-rescue operation was explicitly part of a plan...

The purpose of this paper is to propose a definition of politics useful to gain a perspective on our field of study. The effort is necessary, because today's political scientists deal with an enormous variety of topics. Diversity clearly overpowers unity. What we need is perspective tied to...

In her speech at the 2016 Conservative Party Conference, Theresa May promised to make Britain, once again, 'a sovereign and independent country'. The goal is ambitious. By withdrawing from EU supranational integration, May expects the UK to regain the freedom traditionally enjoyed by nation...

Theresa May has promised to make Britain once again ‘a sovereign and independent country.' That is not as simple as it sounds. Brexit is bound to be accompanied by both gains and losses in sovereignty. By leaving the European Union the UK loses the co-decisional powers it has by virtue of...

In the past two years, the EU has been confronted with a massive flow of migrants and refugees across the Eastern and Central Mediterranean. To meet the challenge various efforts were made to reinforce the Union's external borders, more precisely those of the Schengen Area. The measures...