September 2024

The priority of socioeconomic class over other forms of identity in the political thinking of both the left and the right can be justified only by insisting on the definition of human nature specific to the Marxist tradition and the Protestant Ethic, which posit labor as the “essence of Man.” What if that definition no…

In the five years since WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was imprisoned in the United Kingdom, the world has been hit by pandemics, new wars, and intensifying climate disasters that cast doubt on our collective future. But whether the news-consuming public appreciates the dire nature of our predicament is another matter entirely. LJUBLJANA – I fought…

Unlike our ancestors, our social world is not confined to our families, our neighbors, our co-workers, and those with whom we directly interact. Instead, more and more of what we do is driven by an extremely complex assembly of vast interlocking social and technological mechanisms that we have made but do not understand. Source link

In a world beset by climate change, deep-seated inequalities, entrenched wars, and deep uncertainty, it should be obvious to everyone that the status quo is incompatible with international development goals. A far better approach would orient policymaking and global negotiations firmly around the goal of social justice. GENEVA – It is easy to be pessimistic…

Philanthropy is not a substitute for government action in areas like health, education, and the distribution of income and wealth, but it can advance public goods and improve human well-being. The key is to design institutions that deliver the reputational benefits that donors crave. FORT LAUDERDALE – The biggest election year in history is unfolding…

Three years after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the international community must continue demanding an end to the bans on girls’ education and women’s participation in civil society. Even if the regime will not listen to the United Nations, it may respond to pressure from fellow Muslims. EDINBURGH – For three years now,…

A new report from the OECD Development Assistance Committee shows how foreign-aid spending on public-interest journalism remains shockingly low, even though policymakers have been lamenting the crisis jeopardizing independent media for well over a decade. A shift in donor strategy is long overdue. Source link

It is a fantasy to think that our trash- and commodity-filled environments can be left behind and replaced by life in some idyllic “natural,” ecologically sustainable environment. But perhaps the loss of that option can become the basis for a new, global sense of solidarity. Source link

Although markets can promote economic efficiency under the right conditions, there is no “invisible hand” to deliver solidarity, agency, material sufficiency, and environmental sustainability. These four ingredients of human flourishing should serve as the foundation of all our policymaking. Source link

Fourteen high-income countries have shown how immigration can help offset declining fertility rates and maintain population levels. But with anti-immigrant sentiment on the rise, politicians in these countries face a difficult choice: welcoming foreigners or facing the economic challenges brought about by an aging population. WASHINGTON, DC – Populations around the world are aging, as…

The ironic, obscene spectacle of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony was as far away as possible from the sterile, humorless political correctness that its critics have decried. It did not merely present Europe at its best; it reminded the world that only in Europe is such a ceremony even possible. LJUBLJANA – Two big cultural…

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, was overly optimistic in believing that international sporting events could foster global unity. Nevertheless, international competitions offer an important outlet for nationalist or tribal sentiments that might otherwise manifest in dangerous ways. NEW YORK – When England defeated the Netherlands in the semifinal of the…

Given the rapid spread of online disinformation, many believe that truth is now fragmented beyond repair. But governments can shift the balance by ensuring that news outlets, digital platforms, and political leaders provide the best available knowledge, and by formally recognizing the right not to be lied to by the powerful. LONDON – Hardly a…

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement has just suffered another major blow. In a new ruling, a former UK Supreme Court president who serves on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal has done more than Chinese propagandists ever could to bolster the false impression that China is committed to the rule of law. LONDON – One…

Afghan girls and women, increasingly denied their rights to education and employment, are often confined to their homes and isolated from anyone outside their immediate families. A new initiative seeks to combat hunger while also providing women with a vital space to socialize with peers. Source link

Even though recorded performances provide some valuable benefits, most people prefer live events. That is because the audience is part of the production, and the two sides exchange energy and the gamut of human emotions in a way that would be impossible in any other setting. SALZBURG – While taking in the immensity of Anton…

In Venice, the high demand for tourist-related services that guarantee large markups has crowded out the supply of services for residents. In the absence of a long-term revitalization strategy, the historic city will remain on the path to becoming a cultural mausoleum. MILAN – Countries with great wealth or natural abundance often fall victim to…

When we are assessing protests in democratic societies, nonviolence is not the only criterion that must be weighed. The principle of proportionality can serve as a useful guide to the factors that protesters should consider, enabling us to defend the right to protest while also specifying protesters’ ethical responsibilities. Source link

The quest for universal education is the defining social-policy challenge of our time. As the lives of tens of millions of children in low-income countries are upended by conflict and climate disasters, the international community must mobilize additional financing to ensure a quality education for all of them. EDINBURGH – As many as 500 million…

When there are more qualified young people than jobs, and when failure is not an option, workplace culture becomes cutthroat. This is certainly true in India, as the death of a young professional in July showed, and it demands action from both employers and policymakers. NEW DELHI – The tragic death of Anna Sebastian Perayil,…