Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
Measuring the size of the global middle class is no easy matter. But here's an idea – count the number of cars in circulation and extrapolate from there. Doing so suggests much greater past and future growth than we've appreciated
Reflections on global economy, Occupy movement. "Much of what has gone on can only be described by the words moral deprivation. Something wrong had happened to the moral compass of so many people working in the financial sector"
"When you look at history and when you look at empirical evidence it is clear that the key to prosperity is in institutions, not in culture nor in geography." And that bad institutions were put in place not by mistake, but by design
Essay. Ten trends have defined our economic, social, and political lives for the past 100 years. The dominant one has been rising demand for individual rights. Will those trends, or different ones, shape the coming century? (PDF)
Privacy, piracy, security, sovereignty. Just some of the battle lines drawn in the war over the Internet. And part of wider questions of freedom and control. Later this year, the key UN treaty will be revised. Here's what's at stake
The problem with economic inequality is not necessarily that some people are richer than others. It's that it often comes bundled with inequality of opportunity and political inequality. We may be in such a vicious circle now
"Given that deficit reduction usually involves highly unpopular spending cuts and/or tax increases, a 'stealthier' financial-repression tax may be a more politically palatable alternative." And one that may last for many years
Fine essay on global implications and historical context of Western protests at free market economics and growing income inequality. Are the Occupy movement, radical protests in India and China, and the Arab awakening connected?
Compelling tour d'horizon of political, social, economic turmoil. Is this a "50-year moment" where crisis leads to protectionism, economic nationalism, de-globalisation? Or could it be something much bigger – a 500-year event?
"Banking has moved so far away from funding industrial growth and economic development that it now benefits at the economy’s expense in a predatory and extractive way, not by making productive loans." Something has to change
Strategists predict dominant themes of global events in year to come. Debt crisis drags on; European Union weakens; Germany rises in Europe; the 99% get angrier; Arab Spring reaches Africa; natural gas displaces oil (Free reg/$)
Compelling predictions for 2012. Shape of the crisis in Europe will be determined by how three major issues play out. Mason hazards some answers. Also predicts return of protectionism internationally, rise of conviction politicians
According to Robert Reich. Who doesn't take long to "debunk" each and every one
