A pattern is emerging in Western liberal democracies, in which centre-left and social democratic governments are losing power to centre-right governments. This paper outlines the extent of this pattern, and discusses factors that may be contributing to the process, such as a pendulum swing effect and the centre-right's greater success in capitalising on "value politics"...

Recent years have seen the re-emergence of a major shortage of affordable housing and housing issues are again appearing in the political agenda . This article disucsses the complex reasons for the colapse of the thirty year long struggle to provide decent and affordable housing for the majority of citizens.