by flagamuffin

The same guarded hopefulness applies to an Economist editor’s only true master: the liberal credo of open markets and individual freedom.

Countries that looked mildly hopeful nine years ago, such as Russia and Turkey, have acquired tsars and sultans.

Western democracy, too, looks ever less exemplary. Barack Obama may have stopped his predecessor’s waterboarding of American values, but Washington remains synonymous with gridlock.

The only way to feel good about American democracy is to set it beside Brussels.

Micklethwait woke up today and realized this was his last chance ever to publish his unique British snark to an audience of 1.5 million. So he didn't pull any punches.