December 2010

Neo-liberals are worrying about the poor nowadays. Britain’s Conservative prime minister David Cameron proposes a massive increase in university tuition fees, already raised by his Labour predecessor, Tony Blair . This public-spirited measure is designed to ensure that all taxpayers do not have to foot the bill for the higher education of predominantly middle-class “customers”. The state saves money and the poor will get scholarships to cover the fees. In France, the socialist columnist (...)

Almost half of Irish people surveyed recently say they would rather the IMF or the EU took over the management of the country – at least for the time being – rather than continue to be mismanaged by Irish politicians. Many want Ireland to default and not take an €85bn loan, believing bank debts should not be paid by ordinary people

Once upon a time Bretton Woods ensured orderly exchange rates and the stability of the world economy. And then global currency trading mushroomed out of the control of nations’ central banks. Can it still be contained and an all‑out currency war averted?

The economy and employment prospects in Greece have worsened since the huge demonstrations of 2008. But, though the protests continue, young people fear violence and are no longer out in such force

Since US midterm elections that were disastrous for the Democrats, attention has turned to America’s left. Inside and outside the two-party system, two distinct lefts are alive if not well – the one polite and established, the other made up of grassroots activists

President Obama was elected to change US economic and social policies, and could have insisted that decisive change was not an option but a necessity. Instead, he sought to negotiate. He may now have lost his chance, as well as his supporters

The US came into being within an empire, alongside other empires, and found its place in a world order rooted in European-Atlantic expansion. So, while President Obama has changed the tone and emphasis of foreign policy, his overall goal remains to ensure US power and authority

November’s parliamentary election, which endorsed Egypt’s ruling party, may clarify the succession to President Hosni Mubarak at a time when Egypt seems to be losing its way. Once a diplomatic force and still the second largest recipient of US aid, after Israel, Cairo now needs to convince the US of its effectiveness

Burma’s elections were a sham, and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi soon after was hard to interpret as a gesture. But the country is changing politically, probably for the better, although not in any way the outside world can yet comprehend

Iran’s blossoming relationship with the countries of Latin America may be cause for surprise, and extreme annoyance, in Washington. Yet despite divergent ideologies, they share healthy trade and industrial links, and geopolitical interests. 
And you don’t always have to choose your friends

Unlikely as it may be, it was as a result of a recent confrontation on the foggy East China Sea that rare earth metals – used in the production of vital components in a host of hi-tech products on which we increasingly depend – hit the headlines

The Socialist Party has been in power in Wallonia for 37 of the last 40 years, either on its own or as part of a coalition. This longevity can be explained by its leaders’ strategic choices and local roots, and also by the region’s political and social history. The social crisis and various scandals do not seem to touch it

Belgium’s German-speaking community has a constitutional status that makes it self-governing in many respects

Emirates, Dubai’s national airline, has been buying passenger jets as if they were toys, the better to serve its new mega-airports and shopping-based tourist industry. But is this latest spree a few jumbos too bold?

A key part of the UK government spending review ended security of tenancy in public housing, capped the sums paid as housing benefits to individuals and families, yet permitted public housing authorities to charge higher, near private-market rents

If you had only read his novels, you would never guess his political credo or his taste in national leaders