The Economist – Is America dictator proof?
This week’s Economist asks: Is America dictator-proof? The many vulnerabilities, and enduring strengths, of America’s Republic.
Summary
America’s republic faces significant vulnerabilities alongside its enduring strengths. Following the Cold War, the American political model appeared unassailable. However, recent years have seen a decline in confidence among Americans. Factors such as reckless wars, financial crises, and institutional decay have intensified political battles, making presidential elections feel like high-stakes events. Leaders have publicly doubted the integrity of democracy, and attempts to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power have occurred. These issues have justifiably raised concerns about the resilience of the American system against rising authoritarianism.
The key takeaway is that relying solely on the Constitution to protect the republic is overly optimistic. The preservation of democracy relies heavily on the courage and convictions of individuals across the nation, particularly those responsible for creating and enforcing laws.
The latest business news
-
Cliff Notes ‘I want to create the Nike of lingerie’: How a former singer turned Instagram page into a £17m business Less than 20% of all active UK companies are led by women, and the pace of new business registrations is slowing down. That’s according to analysis of Companies House data by Prowess, which also
-
Cliff Notes: JLR is a mess – will it make a u-turn? Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is initiating a phased restart of manufacturing operations following a cyber attack, with early payments for qualifying suppliers to ease disruptions. The company is set to resume production at several key sites, including its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre and
-
Cliff Notes – Takaichi set to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister Japanese stocks, particularly the Nikkei 225 Index, surged by 4.6%, marking a historic high above 46,000 points. The yen depreciated significantly, hitting 149.76 against the dollar and a record low against the euro, following Sanae Takaichi’s election to lead the ruling party. Takaichi,
-
Cliff Notes Yadi Zhang, a 47-year-old Chinese national, pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with the UK’s largest-ever cryptocurrency seizure of over 61,000 Bitcoin, valued at more than £5bn. She was arrested after years of evading authorities, having allegedly orchestrated a £5bn investment scam in China that defrauded 130,000 investors. The seized Bitcoin is
-
Cliff Notes The UK Economy recorded zero growth in July, with significant declines in manufacturing offsetting modest growth in the services and construction sectors. Concerns are rising due to the slowing labour market, elevated inflation, and impacts of the US trade war, prompting discussions about the upcoming budget and potential tax increases. The Chancellor aims
-
Cliff Notes The Supreme Court has unanimously overturned the convictions of traders Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo for manipulating benchmark interest rates. Hayes, initially sentenced to 14 years for fraud, saw his conviction quashed due to jury direction errors that rendered the trial unsafe. The Serious Fraud Office will not seek retrials, ending a lengthy
