Institutions and economic performance: Election Outlook-XIX
There is a long list of economists-from Adam Smith to W Arthur Lewis and from Douglas C North to Niall Ferguson-who have strongly highlighted the importance of institution building for…
Perceptions of national power
Apologists may downplay it, but the fact is that power is the core attribute of a state, defining its position in international politics by giving it the leverage to influence…
Why break the relationship?
The US agenda with Pakistan pre-9/11 was, in order of priority viz (1) nuclear non-proliferation (2) terrorism and (3) drugs, with the Taliban government in Afghanistan figuring prominently in the…
Panetta’s Pentagon exit smoother than Rumsfeld’s crash
Compared to the way President George W Bush's defence secretary left office, Leon Panetta is easing out of the Pentagon with no strife, no blame and with a great deal…
A transformational leader, unfortunately
Looking back, it now seems strange that during her first couple of years as prime minister, Margaret Thatcher was widely viewed as something of an aberration. In 1981, with unemployment…
US conservatives adopted Thatcher as one of their own
Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher may have governed across the pond, but US conservatives mourned Monday as if they had lost one of their own. While Thatcher's legacy at…
Latin America goes quiet without Chavez, Castro, Lula
With the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Latin America has lost the last of its high-profile charismatic leaders of recent years, and it remains to be seen whether it…
A grand bargain?
After a long hiatus, Iran is again sitting across the table from the P5+1 (Germany) in Almaty for talks covering its nuclear programme plus related issues. Both sides have dampened…
Good on intentions…
Part of being a concerned citizen is to be well informed and, as I belong to the 18-35 age demographic that is going to cast its vote for the first…
The undisputed power
When one views the pictures of president George W. Bush being informed of 9/11, bewilderment and shock are evident. After all the American mainland, protected by two oceans, had never…
