Rare for women’s rights to be so front and centre in Iran
Women often participate in non-violent demonstrations, and they can be of crucial importance. But what is now happening in Iran stands out from other popular uprisings.
Politics
LOADING CONTENT
A failed democratic experiment?
This is how the democratic process is described in several of the former Soviet states that won their freedom starting in the 1990s. Now researchers want to propose new ways of building democracy.
And behind it all looms the threat of nuclear weapons
Ukraine is certainly putting pressure on Russia in the war. How can this be? And is this good news against an authoritarian regime with atomic weapons?
Is it really selfish to complain about electricity prices?
Norwegians are not necessarily being selfish by wanting to go back to the good old days of cheap electricity. Nor do people think it is acceptable to use the situation for some to enrich themselves at the expense of others, says the researcher.
Sceptics of welfare schemes don’t increase with more immigrants
Scepticism about social welfare schemes can increase as immigration grows. But only among those who are already sceptical of immigrants.
War in Ukraine could last for months
The war in and over Ukraine has already lasted nearly two months. There is little reason to assume that it will be over anytime soon.
EU awards €2 million to NTNU professor
Countries arise, change and disappear. An ERC Grant of €2 million will illustrate how old states affect conflicts and democracy today.
Why the United States (almost) never withdraws completely
The United States received a lot of criticism when NATO Allies withdrew from Afghanistan. But the United States almost never pulls all its military out of a country completely. Maybe not often enough.
Pirates, noblewomen and bicycling housewives
Why does Norway always rank among the top countries on the planet when it comes to gender equality? Part of the answer lies in medieval times, when Norwegian women battled the Hanseatic League with pirates and threatened to burn down towns to wield their power.
A natural gem is being destroyed by plastic
Mausund and the Froan Nature Reserve are located in an archipelago far out to sea along the Trøndelag county coast, but they are not exactly pristine. About 25 per cent of the soil in the area contains plastic.
A quick end to oil won’t save the climate
An abrupt halt to oil activities in the North Sea is not the solution to the climate crisis. The way forward is to establish alternatives to oil.
Abandoned cropland should produce biofuels
More biofuels are needed to counteract climate change. But producing them shouldn’t diminish food production or wilderness areas. The solution may be to grow more grass on recently abandoned cropland.
How can we help victims of torture?
Torture victims often reap less benefit from ordinary treatment. New insight might give new hope.
Why Trump does what he does
Donald Trump denies that he has lost the election, gives the boot to people who aren’t loyal enough and doesn’t help his successor get started. Why?
Even Prada and Gucci are manufacturing health equipment now
Italy’s budget deficit is skyrocketing. Yet people there are not debating the cost of a human life, or whether the shutdown of the country is worth it.
From coronavirus to a greener society?
Governments across the globe are funding record-breaking crisis packages to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Is this the time to fund greener, more climate-friendly industries and investments?
State’s large investments smarter than many people think
From the press coverage, you might expect only wasted time and projects built over budget when the government invests in roads, buildings and other large projects. But the state — in Norway, anyway — doesn’t do a bad job after all.
Norway is the EU’s most integrated non-EU country
Norway has been on its way to EU membership four times, but has stopped at the threshold every time. November 28, 2019 marks 25 years since Norwegians last voted “No” – with an EEA agreement in hand for better or for worse.
How to defend yourself against fake news
How can we defend ourselves against false information? NTNU researchers provide some tips and tackle the problem during The Big Challenge Science Festival this week.
A whistleblower’s tale
The American whistleblower Edward Snowden paints a frightening vision of the world we live in, where abuses of power extend far beyond the reaches of law and affect us all.
How much does our use of social media reveal about our political views?
When companies like Cambridge Analytica use our data for political and commercial interests, it raises concerns about privacy and the integrity of democratic politics. But what exactly do our social media posts say about what we really think?
Diversity supports healthy economies and democracy
High cultural and ethnic diversity can contribute to more democratic societies with better economic management.
Turning political pledges into action on climate change
Beginning on 30 November, the nations of the world will gather in Paris to discuss a new global agreement on climate change. But what will it take to transform international political will into real action to curb global warming?
Achieving effective peace agreements
Surveys will reveal what peace agreements following civil wars ought to contain in order to be respected.