The Spanish flu wiped out 6% of India’s entire population
—The Economist in ‘Covid19 could devastate poor countries‘
Tag: Economist
The fifth risk
Jacques Delors, a former head of the European Commission who championed closer integration, rightly pointed out that “nobody can fall in love with the single market”. There is nothing flashy about reworking bankruptcy rules or tax regimes.
—The Economist in ‘A singular opportunity’
This is very relevant in the times of Trump, BoJo and social media memes. Michael Lewis’ book, The Fifth Risk, touches on this in the US context. But like Jacques points out, it’s unglamorous work and his writing can only make it so much more interesting.
The small big difference
“The bad will be there no matter what, while the good requires major efforts,” says Vladimir Kattsov, director of Russia’s Voeikov Geophysical Observatory.
—The Economist in ‘Why Russia is ambivalent about climate change’
He’s talking about the potential benefits of climate change to Russia—opening of Arctic route and availability of Tundra lands for farming—versus the threats—more frequent droughts, floods and crop failures in current farmed areas.
Define: Mercantilism
When the British empire was expanding, a saying went, “trade followed the flag”.
—The Economist in ‘Masters of Business in Asia’
Historical memorials are not enough to stop anti-Semitism in Europe
“Only when the generation that survived the war is no longer with us,” said Angela Merkel last year, “will we discover if we have learned from history.”
—The Economist, in ‘Historical memorials are not enough to stop anti-Semitism in Europe’
Continue reading Historical memorials are not enough to stop anti-Semitism in Europe
Social safety valves & experienced dictators
The dispirited remnants of Egypt’s civil society miss the relative openness. Mr Mubarak allowed a bit of space for opposition, as a safety valve and a sop to the West. Mr Sisi has ramped up executions and persecutes even supporters who step out of line. “They were professionals. Now they’re amateurs,” says one activist of those in charge.
—The Economist, in ‘Many Egyptians miss their deposed president, Hosni Mubarak’
Definition: Japanification
A Forsterian summary might read: “The bubble burst, people became cautious and the economy got stuck in too low a gear to stop prices and interest rates from falling.”
—The Economist, in ‘The Japanification of bond markets’
What makes the City succeed
Today the magic formula has many parts: openness to people and capital, the time zone, proximity to subsea data cables, and posh schools. But, above all, it relies on stable politics and regulation, close ties to America and seamless ones to Europe.
—The Economist, in ‘Can the City survive Brexit?’
The hobbit spirit
…he was reminded of the brave little group of Bilbo, Frodo, Sam and the rest, who left the quiet Shire “to shake the towers and counsels of the Great”. They were small, shaggy-haired and barefoot, usually unarmed and often frightened. But they lived, and eventually triumphed, by their wits. Every problem had a solution, and every battle could be won, if you thought hard and fast enough.
—The Economist, in ‘Obituary: Steve Sawyer died on July 31st’
Race traitor: Oxford dictionary word of the year?
Instead the protesters are at best dupes, and at worst foreigner-loving race traitors, ashamed of being Chinese.
—The Economist, in Why Chinese officials imagine America is behind unrest in Hong Kong
Continue reading Race traitor: Oxford dictionary word of the year?
Use my marker 