The Economist (February 24)
“It is futile to speculate how much Russia’s efforts succeeded in altering the outcomes of votes and poisoning politics. The answer is unknowable. But the conspiracies are wrong in themselves and their extent raises worries about the vulnerabilities of Western democracies. If the West is going to protect itself against Russia and other attackers, it needs to treat Mr Mueller’s indictments as a rallying cry.”
Tags: Attackers, Conspiracies, Democracies, Futile, Mueller, Politics, Russia, Speculate, Votes, Vulnerabilities
Financial Times (December 20)
“Fear and rage must not be used as an excuse to destroy America’s core institutions.” Britain and other western democracies are also at risk of falling into the hands of despots. “The core institutions of democracy do not protect themselves. They are protected by people who understand and cherish the values they embody. Politics must respond to the fear and rage that brought Mr Trump to power. But it must not surrender to them. They must not be an excuse to destroy the republic.”
Tags: Core institutions, Democracies, Despots, Fear, People, Politics, Rage, Trump, UK, Values
New York Times (November 12)
“For a majority of Canadians, Mr. Trudeau and his cabinet symbolize a renewed sense of national identity rooted in diversity, in humane and inclusive social policies at home and in humanitarian service overseas. The thrill of the moment may be fleeting, but it is invaluable for awakening new generations to public service and as an antidote to the cynicism about politics that has sadly become the norm in established democracies.”
Tags: Awakening, Cabinet, Canadians, Democracies, Diversity, Humane, Identity, Inclusive, Public service, Trudeau
Financial Times (October 22)
“Hitherto it has been assumed that China, rather than western democracies, will face chronic problems of governance.” But China’s political system is not its Achilles heel. “Rather than dismiss the Chinese governing system as fragile and tenuous, we need to understand what has been…. an extraordinarily successful institution, one that the world will increasingly come to recognise it must learn from.”
Tags: Achilles heel, China, Democracies, Governance, Institution, Successful
The Economist (June 29)
“Over the past few weeks, in one country after another, protesters have risen up with bewildering speed. They have been more active in democracies than dictatorships. They tend to be ordinary, middle-class people, not lobbies with lists of demands. Their mix of revelry and rage condemns the corruption, inefficiency and arrogance of the folk in charge.” Whether it’s Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Bulgaria, India or elsewhere, politicians should beware.
Tags: Brazil, Bulgaria, Corruption, Democracies, Dictatorships, India, Inefficiency, Middle class, Politicians, Protesters, Rage, Revelry, Sweden, Turkey
