Scandinavian Politics: more on the future

Dear all on the Scandinavian Politics list,

* ICELAND. You'll know by now that the Icelandic coalition between the
social democratic Alliance and the Left-Greens has been formally
renewed. As I understand it, the issue of seeking EU membership, which
divides the coalition partners, will be handled through relaxing
coalition discipline when the issue is debated in parliament. This
appears to be quite a concession by the Left-Greens, because a pro-EU
majority in parliament looks quite likely.

* OUR GROUP'S FUTURE. You'll recall that I wrote previously about the
new demands that the PSA will make of its specialist groups, including a
requirement that "all specialist groups charge membership fees".

I listed a number of ways in which we might want to respond. Many thanks
to all of you who offered suggestions on these various scenarios. One of
them (number 2), in which "someone else - ideally, but not absolutely
necessarily, based in Britain - takes over the job of convenor (and
announcement maker, and constitution drafter, and membership-fee
administrator)" - now looks likely to be implemented. In other words,
someone else has volunteered to take over the management of our group,
and I am favourably disposed to the suggestion.

Now, our group is a very loose institution and entirely undemocratic in
character (though that will have to change, at the PSA's behest). But I
thought it best to float this prospect among list members anyway, just
to keep everyone informed. Do let me know if anyone has any thoughts on
the issue.

More news as and when.

Nick Aylott.
--
Dr Nicholas Aylott, senior lecturer (docent) in political science
School of Social Sciences, Södertörn University, Stockholm
SE-141 89 Huddinge, Sweden
www.sh.se/statsvetenskap

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone who might be
interested. To join the Scandinavian Politics mailing list, send a
message to me, the convenor (nicholas.aylott@sh.se). If you want to send
something to the list, or if you don't want to receive these occasional
messages, just let me know. See also www.psa.ac.uk/scandinavia/