Megaphone apology

Feb 7th 2008
From The Economist print edition
It is good to hear a government apologise. But China\'s has much to be sorry about


THE last time anyone can remember a Chinese leader venturing, megaphone in hand, into a disgruntled crowd to offer an apology was in May 1989 when Zhao Ziyang visited Tiananmen Square to say sorry to students protesting there. The apology neither saved Mr Zhao\'s career nor prevented the army\'s advance on the square a few days later. But it seems to have impressed one man, at Mr Zhao\'s left shoulder in this famous photograph of the incid

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Down with democracy
Dec 6th 2007
From Economist.com

A democratic vote is necessary, but not sufficient


WHAT could be more democratic than an election that reflects the majority’s will? Opinion polls consistently give Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, an approval rating above 80%. So his party’s thumping election victory on December 2nd simply shows that Russia is being governed as its people wish. If the rest of the world doesn’t like it, then the rest of the world had better mind its own business.

Actually, it shouldn’t. Democracy is a slippery concept. It has become a hoo

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One dam thing after another
Nov 1st 2007 | MIAOHE
From The Economist print edition

Sceptics about the world\'s biggest hydroelectric dam are being vindicated

Reservoir of ill-willPEASANTS in the village of Miaohe on the north bank of the Yangzi River say nothing like it had occurred in their lifetimes, nor those of their parents and grandparents. One afternoon in April, for a few grim seconds, the ground shook beneath them. The Wild Cat landslide, long at rest beneath the terraced maize fields, orange-tree groves and earth-brick houses perched on the steep slope, was stirring.

Exper

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