Stuart McAnulla

Making Hay with Actualism? The Need for a Realist Concept of Structure

This article criticises the ontological assumptions outlined in Colin Hays recent book Political Analysis (2002). It takes issue with Hays interpretation of critical realism, in particular his reading of the work of Margaret Archer. Furthermore, it is suggested that Hays understanding of the structure-agency relationship contains weaknesses which have implications for both his theoretical and empirically-based work. It is argued that a more robust concept of social structure may be required to support the kind of critical political analysis Hay aspires to.

Explaining the Forced Exit of Charles Kennedy: Pushing the Public–Private Boundary

The demise of Charles Kennedy as leader of the Liberal Democrats (1999–2006) has generally been understood as an unfortunate consequence of Kennedys struggle with alcohol dependency. Others have suggested that Kennedy was removed because he proved a poor party leader. In contrast, this article argues that the alcohol issue was of key importance, yet that this factor overlapped with the wider depletion of Kennedys leadership credibility. It is also suggested that Kennedys removal was in part a consequence of the continued erosion of the boundaries between public and private life in British politics.

From David Hume to Sarah Palin? The troubled search for common features of political ‘conservatism’: a reply to Özsel

This is a reply to:Ozsel, Dogancan. 2015. “The conservative minimum: historical and transcendent subject.” Global Discourse. 5 (1): 24–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23269995.2014.933054.

Cameron's Conservatism: Why God, Why Now?

In recent months David Cameron has emphasised both his personal religious faith and the ongoing importance of Christianity and religion in Britain. This article seeks to explain why Cameron has made increasing reference to religious themes, and examines the extent to which they have been reflected in the approach of the current Coalition government. It is argued that Camerons references to religion have been indicative of still tentative attempts to reaffirm, and in respects redefine, the role of Christianity and faith in British public life in response to the pressures of greater secularisation, religious pluralism and vocal challenges to religious privilege.

The Rhetorical Personas of George Galloway and Tommy Sheridan

This chapter discusses the rhetoric and personas of two significant voices of the left. George Galloway and Tommy Sheridan both gained prominence through their style of language, oratory, and ideological arguments over the course of their political careers. In doing so they operated outside of mainstream left wing politics, combining criticism of the ‘betrayal’ of Labour party leaders with a populist appeal to many people feeling disaffected by the formal political process. This chapter examines the rhetoric, public persona, and character narratives of Sheridan and Galloway, identifying key components of their approaches. We argue that their ‘outsider’ status offered them rhetorical opportunities which they often exploited in an accomplished manner. However, we conclude that their heavy reliance on personal character narrative brought significant political risks.