Should there be compulsory voting?

Libertarians no doubt abhor the idea of anything compulsory, and voting is a prime case. They would probably say that a vote denied is a vote in itself. You shouldn’t force people to take part in elections. However, the fact is that the US has the lowest voting rates of any democracy, just when we …

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America – land of the giant monopolies

In an article entitled “The problem with profits” The Economist of March 23rd effectively agrees with those who say that the American political and economic system, once so vibrant and competitive, is broken (amazing, but refreshing, coming from the rather conventional Economist). The Economist article says that in former times a profitable company would eventually …

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Good news! (It must be election year)

The Governor of Georgia has vetoed a bill supporting the right of religious organisations to refuse services that clash with their faith, e.g with regard to same-sex marriage and the hiring and firing of people of whose private lives they disapprove. This bill is part of the right-wing backlash against the extension of civil rights …

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Confusion reigns!

There are currently two militias, supposed to be fighting Assad in Syria in the death zone between Aleppo, Marea and the Turkish border. They are alleged to be “moderates” and the US government is funding them both simultaneously. Their names are “The Knights of Righteousness” (truly!) and the “Syrian Democratic Forces”. But instead of fighting …

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Renaissance  Florence and innovation; technical and artistic

An article by Eric Weiner (hbr.org) on promoting innovation proposed that instead of trying to learn lessons from silicon valley, which he argues is too new to draw conclusions from, we should study Renaissance Florence and the Medicis. His prescription for success is as follows and draws from Florentine success:  1. You need a patron: the …

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