In pursuit of a mythical state of Tamil Eelam: a rejoinder to Kristian Stokke

This is a rejoinder to an article by Kristian Stokke published in Third World Quarterly, 27 (6), 2006, which is euphorically entitled ‘Building the Tamil Eelam state: emerging state institutions and forms of governance in ltte-controlled areas in Sri Lanka’. This author's critique of Kristian Stokke's article is twofold: one criticism relates to the way research for the article was undertaken; the second is of the glaring factual inaccuracies on which Stokke's article is based. This article presents statistical and other evidence to refute the claims made by Krishan Stokke that the LTTE is a liberation movement with mass support, performing state functions in areas under its control.     

In a Double Bind: Conflicts over Education and Mayoral Election Outcomes

Many European countries have decentralised governance structures to local communities with the direct election of mayors by local residents. This article provides a case study from Israel to assess the interplay between education and local politics. It investigates election outcomes for 75 locales, with a focus on the unique tensions involved in the dual loyalties of mayors to local parents, on the one hand, and state officials, on the other. Mayors who developed conflict relationships with both the local parents and state officials were found most likely to leave office. Conflicts over education are a clear indicator of impending political defeat, but amicable relations with parents and state officials are no automatic guarantee for re-election.