The Blair effect on political studies?

Students are largely unenthused by the major parties and are particularly turned off by a new Labour approach that they perceive as anti-democratic and spin-driven. Tony Blair is especially unpopular, largely due to his stance on the war in Iraq. Whereas Thatcherism turned a generation of students towards the Left, anti-Blairism is manifested in disengagement, at least from domestic politics.

However, Blair's foreign policy has reinforced the growing interest that students have in international relations and in studying non-Western political systems.

International relations is a growth area across politics departments. I teach British politics, and it can be hard to engage students in what is happening in the UK.

In the sense that students are becoming politicised around foreign policy matters, you could describe the Blair effect as one of reinvigoration. However, the debate and demonstrations that took place prior to intervention in Iraq had so little impact that I think it damaged students' sense of political efficacy. It has left a legacy of cynicism.

Catherine Needham is a lecturer in British politics at Queen Mary, University of London.