Wall Street Journal (August 29)
“In 1950 France had five people of working age per retiree. Today it has 1.4, and the ratio is expected to fall to 1.2 by 2050.” France’s newly unveiled pension reform will not “defuse” the pension bomb. “Paying for a growing number of retirees with a pay-as-you-go system that invests little for the future is a losing game. It will ultimately require much smaller pensions or much higher taxes, a fact that French businesses understand well even if the political class won’t admit it.”
Financial Times (December 9)
“The political comeback of Shinzo Abe is one of the stranger twists in the recent, convoluted history of Japanese politics…. No one should be under any illusion about Mr Abe. He was a lousy prime minister first time around.” If he now looks like the best candidate this can only be due to “China’s misguided foreign policy, and the sorry state of a Japanese political system unable to produce someone better.”
Tags: Abe, China, Foreign policy, Japan, Politics, Prime minister
Chicago Tribune (May 2)
“Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the last time Americans agreed on anything.” One year ago, Osama bin Laden was killed in a “gutsy” raid. For a brief shining moment, everyone rejoiced. Since then, partisan politics has split the country and impasse has reigned supreme. Still, it’s worth remembering that, in ordering the raid, President Obama “made a tough call and won.”
Tags: Obama, Osama bin Laden, Partisan, Politics, U.S.
The Economist (January 27, 2012)
In 1942, the Economist added a special section for detailed coverage of the United States. Seventy years later, the next special section appears: China. “The main reason is China’s rise to economic superpower status, but we are also fascinated by the politics of a country that is out of step with global norms.” The magazine believes that “if China’s rise is to continue, the Communist Party needs to loosen its grip on society and the economy.”
In 1942, the Economist added a special section for detailed coverage of the United States. Seventy years later, the next special section appears: China. “The main reason is China’s rise to economic superpower status, but we are also fascinated by the politics of a country that is out of step with global norms.” The magazine believes that “if China’s rise is to continue, the Communist Party needs to loosen its grip on society and the economy.”
Tags: China, Communist party, Economic superpower, Politics, U.S.
The Independent (December 12)
Russian politics has entered a new phase. “Authorities watched with horror as the number of people who said they would attend Saturday’s protest grew steadily throughout the week.” Middle-class Russians who benefited greatly during the Putin era, “have suddenly started taking an interest” in politics. “The Kremlin will face a difficult choice. Does it open up the political process…or does it repress dissent and risk radicalising the opposition?”
Russian politics has entered a new phase. “Authorities watched with horror as the number of people who said they would attend Saturday’s protest grew steadily throughout the week.” Middle-class Russians who benefited greatly during the Putin era, “have suddenly started taking an interest” in politics. “The Kremlin will face a difficult choice. Does it open up the political process…or does it repress dissent and risk radicalising the opposition?”
Financial Times (August 12)
“England has had a torrid week,” exclaims the Financial Times. “Wanton destruction” damaged the nation’s image to “those abroad who still look on England as a country of civility and tolerance.” Riots amongst the downtrodden are nothing new, but these were altogether different. They were not political protests “about an intolerable deterioration in their living conditions. They were taking advantage of serious policing errors in order to steal mobile phones and trainers.”
Tags: Politics, Protests, Reputation, Riots, UK
