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The view from across the Atlantic, by Nick Ottens

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Better Democracy

A lot of what we do is describing and explaining problems: political conflicts, protests, wars. The Atlantic Sentinel tries to help readers understand the news better, often by looking back and placing events in an historical or international context. But sometimes we have ideas to improve things. You’ll find those stories under better democracy.

Northern Ireland parliament Belfast

Northern Ireland’s Political System Will Need to Change

Power-sharing kept the peace for 25 years. Now it’s making it harder to govern.

Nick OttensMay 8, 2022
Louvre Paris France

Two Parties May Be Better Than Three

The only thing worse than two-party polarization is permanent rule by the center.

Nick OttensApril 29, 2022
António Costa Pedro Sánchez

What Sánchez Should Do Next for Catalonia

End the prosecution of Catalan nationalists. Give the region more autonomy.

Nick OttensJune 23, 2021April 20, 2022
Joe Biden

Europe Doesn’t Need a Biden

Who needs bold leadership when you have affordable health insurance?

Nick OttensApril 8, 2021April 20, 2022
Pablo Iglesias

Spanish Tribulations in Multiparty Democracy

It’s still better than the alternative.

Nick OttensMarch 20, 2021November 29, 2021
Union Station Washington

Be Careful About Bringing Back Big Government

More government is not the solution to every problem.

Nick OttensJanuary 6, 2021April 20, 2022
United States Capitol Washington

Democratic Recriminations Argue for Switch to Multiparty System

Socialists and center-left liberals shouldn’t be in the same political party.

Nick OttensNovember 25, 2020October 26, 2021
United States Capitol Washington

How to Restore American Democracy After Trump

Abolish the Electoral College. Abolish the two parties. Add states. Put Congress first.

Nick OttensOctober 1, 2020October 24, 2021
Cologne Germany

How Germany Turned Its Refugee Crisis into Success

Its “we will manage” attitude could be an example to other European countries.

Igor DordevicSeptember 24, 2020November 30, 2021
Los Angeles California police

Don’t Defund the Police

Pay and train officers better and they will be less violent.

Nick OttensAugust 31, 2020April 13, 2022
Miami Florida

New Social Contract for the World After COVID

The pandemic makes clear we need reform.

Nick OttensJuly 27, 2020December 2, 2021
San Juan Puerto Rico

Democrats Should Give Caribbean and Pacific Islands Statehood

3.5 million Americans have no federal representation.

Nick OttensJuly 18, 2020December 3, 2021
Oakland California police

Policing in America Is Broken. There Are Solutions

Reforming the police isn’t easy, but it can be done.

Nick OttensJune 2, 2020December 1, 2021
Elizabeth Warren

A Better Way for Democrats to Elect Their Presidential Candidate

The same four states shouldn’t go first every four years.

Nick OttensFebruary 27, 2020November 24, 2021
Copenhagen Denmark

The American Dream Could Use Some European Inspiration

European countries went through — and solved — some of the problems America has.

Nick OttensFebruary 25, 2020November 29, 2021

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