An end to "Ever-Closer Union"

"The European Institutions as an Interest Group - The Dynamics of Ever-Closer Union" (PDF)

Author: Roland Vaubel

Publication date: 2 June 2009

The report argues that the European institutions are more out of touch with the views of their citizens than ever before. The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will reinforce the creep of centralisation by transferring more competencies to the EU and further dilute the power of national governments. The report advocates widespread changes to the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice in order to prevent any more dislocation between those who work for the European Union and the people they represent.

How the European Parliament has real power over our lives

"What does the European Parliament do and how does it affect your everyday life?" (PDF)

Author: Open Europe

Publication date: April 2009

This report tries to rebut the often held opinion that the European Parliament has no actual power. The report claims MEPs now have a "veto" over national governments on about 75% of all European legislation and that the Lisbon Treaty will increase the power of the European Parliament still further. The report contains several recommendations to make the European Parliament less distant and more transparent such as a 20% cut in salary for MEPs and full disclosure of their salaries, pension provisions and expense entitlements.

A fairer share of the burden in Afghanistan

"The NATO Alliance in Afghanistan - A Fair Share of the Burden?" (PDF)

Author: Peter Cannon

Publication date: 23 March 2009

This report calls for NATO countries other than the UK and the US to take more of the burden for fighting the Taliban. The author believes the over-reliance on UK and US forces in Afghanistan is endangering the outcome of the mission and the long term stability of NATO.

A reorganisation of the world economic order?

"The Spectre of Global Depression and its Impact Upon International Diplomacy"(PDF)

Author: Marcel Thach

Publication date: 9 March 2009

The report looks at the impact of the recession in the US, Europe, Russia, Japan and China and acknowledges that although each economic area has unique difficulties each economy is inextricably linked. The author argues that the global financial crisis marks an ideal moment for a global reorganisation of the world economic order unseen since the 1930s.

An anti-Western alliance

"The Emergence of an Anti-Western Alliance - Implications and Prescriptions for Western Security Strategy"(PDF)

Author: James Coady

Publication date: 15 February 2009

The report focuses on an emerging alliance of governments who share a distinctly anti-Western ideology and the potential grave threat this poses to the West. The report acknowledges the increased co-operation between Russia and left-wing governments in Venezuela and Bolivia along with Moscow's support for anti-Western regimes in Iran and Syria. The anti-Western alliance also extends to China which is making greater strategic engagement in South America and Africa. This report is concerning for all of us who share Western values.

The Legatum Prosperity Index

"The 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index"

Author: Legatum Institute

The Legatum Prosperity Index is the only global assessment of wealth and wellbeing of over one hundred countries. The index uses a number of indicators to rank nations on a range of policy areas and includes an overall ranking.