http://hdl.handle.net/1893/33488 Electronic copies of History and Politics policy documents. Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:27:01 GMT 2026-10-03T10:27:01Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38089 Title: The social foundations for peace: violence, peace and (dis)order in Ukraine Author(s): Nehring, Holger; Dvornichenko, Daryna Abstract: While peace is often associated with stability, the process of peace building involves a range of conflicts. Using Ukraine as a powerful case study, we examine how violence, insecurity, resilience, and desire for peace intersect within state borders. The paper’s main purpose is to raise awareness of the local political and social dynamics that will shape the implementation of any peace settlement following Russia’s war against Ukraine – dynamics that adversaries may seek to exploit. We challenge conventional assumptions about peace by focusing on the lived experiences of those directly affected by the war, in particular internally displaced women. We stress the diversity of Ukrainian agency in peacebuilding and seek to elevate voices often excluded from dominant narratives of Russia’s war against Ukraine Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38089 2026-02-03T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36953 Title: Westminster Rules? The United Kingdom Internal Market Act and Devolution Author(s): Brown Swan, Coree; Horsley, Thomas; McEwen, Nicola; Whitten, Lisa-Claire Abstract: As we mark the 25th anniversary of devolution, this research reflects on the most significant legislation impacting devolved governments— the United Kingdom Internal Market Act (UKIMA). Enacted in December 2020, authors argue UKIMA has undermined the authority and status of the devolved institutions and contributed to the erosion of intergovernmental trust. While the Act aims to ensure frictionless trade within the UK post-Brexit, it has been viewed as antagonistic to devolution, diminishing the authority of governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The exclusions process for deviating from UKIMA’s market access rules lacks transparency and often allows the UK Government to override devolved decisions, creating a potential UK veto over devolved policy. Although UKIMA has fostered some cooperation, it risks stifling policy innovation at the devolved level. The new Labour Government, committed to resetting relations with devolved administrations, faces the challenge of addressing the tensions created by UKIMA. Labour did not commit to changing UKIMA in its manifesto, but this report argues that reform is essential for restoring intergovernmental trust and the authority of devolved institutions. This report provides an impartial analysis of UKIMA, its impacts, and reform options. The authors propose a range of changes to restore trust and cooperation between the UK and devolved governments, fostering a more balanced approach to policy-making across the UK. Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36953 2024-10-03T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/33490 Title: Who Owns Europe?... and why it matters for Progressives Author(s): Mills, Cliff; Kippin, Sean; Hunt, Peter; Willetts, Mark Abstract: First paragraph: Ownership matters. Owners of businesses set their strategic direction, purpose and the terms of employment. Owners of land decide what should be done with it and who can access it. Owners of property decide how it is deployed and who can enjoy its benefits. These decisions have a profound impact on the rest of European economy and society. Too often when we try to understand who owns the assets on which we all rely, the beneficial owners are obscured, and capital is controlled by owners whose interests are divergent from the citizenry at large. Politicians rarely consider questions of ownership when making policy, but the frameworks that they establish for market economies have a profound effect on the levels of corporate plurality in business, and ultimately the outcomes for citizens. Progressives must offer a thoughtful critique which ensures that the benefits of ownership are not concentrated in the hands of the few. Policy should facilitate a fair ownership opportunity for all. This project seeks to examine ownership across the EU, it considers how Europe’s businesses are owned and where the benefits of business flow. It looks closely at different types of ownership model, for example - the joint-stock company, the private business, the partnership model and the mutually-owned enterprise. At the same time, it is concerned with ownership more widely. Who owns the land on which our produce is grown, the apartment blocks in which we live and the institutions in which we store our earnings? We have examined whether some forms of ownership are more conducive to the public good and to what extent public goals can be discharged by a wider range of ownership types. Ownership in the public interest can be achieved, but it requires a consistent approach across EU member states, with policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks that support and protect ownership that is designed for a common purpose, rather than simply focussed on maximising private profit. This report makes a series of recommendations which seek to ensure strong economies which are purposeful and successful, but which also benefit the wider public good. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/33490 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z