On Wednesday 6th February, Nic Cheeseman, Professor of Democracy and International Development at the University of Birmingham, visited the Sixth Form to deliver a lecture entitled “How to Rig an Election: Lessons from Ten Years Working in the Field”. In a fascinating and eye-opening presentation, Professor Cheeseman discussed the various ways in which dictators, throughout history, have sought to hold on to power. He also discussed the demise of democracy, and the fact that, despite more and more countries holding elections, fewer and fewer are actually of good quality, and the populations of those countries are, on the whole, ‘less free’ than before they became democracies. Anybody interested in finding out more can purchase Professor Cheeseman’s book, entitled How to Rig an Election, co-authored by Brian Klaas.
The great Easter Debate: a sweet, chaotic showdown
If you were expecting a serious, well-structured debate at this year’s Easter debate, you were in for a surprise. What unfolded was less of a formal argument and more of a theatrical masterpiece – complete with flying chocolate, wild accusations and a speaker who somehow turned it into a human rights campaign for sugar.
