UK
Britain is going through a difficult time, when its sustained ability to punch above its weight, economically and diplomatically, is ebbing. The end of irrational exuberance found the country ill at ease with itself, with rising inequalities and unhealthy nationalism, just when it needs to be fleet-footed in recognising that many of the traditional pillars of its strengths have changed. The need is to recognise other supports and partners and find a new common purpose after the pandemic. I live in hope.
stick or twist
Like football, this is the argument that divides economic families: are we in a cyclical or structural recession. No, really: this is the starting point to whether austerity is unavoidable cure or the medicine that kills the patient, as my latest newspaper blog sets out...