It is just before 13.00. Hungry, you rush to the UvA canteen after a long class. Same steps and same classmates as many other days, but today, something has changed. Today on the menu of each stand in the canteen, there are traffic light labels, one label per meal option. Dishes with beef and lamb are red. A lot of cheese, and again the label is red. With fish and chicken, the labels turn yellow. Salads and other vegan dishes are green. Below the colors, you can read the grams of CO2 associated with each option. Now that you have all this information, will you opt for a more sustainable meal? A few years ago, university students in Cambridge and Bonn faced exactly this choice: traffic light labels indicating the carbon impact of every meal suddenly appeared in their canteens. Lohmann et al. (2022) estimate that, in Cambridge, the labels reduced average CO2 emissions per meal by 4.3%. Schulze-Tilling (2024) shows that in Bonn the labels reduced by between 2 and 7 percentage points the probability that students buy a meat-based meal (which was, on average, among the most polluting options). Can carbon labels be part of the solution to fight global warming? The results from the university canteen seem encouraging. Sure, a few percentage points reduction in CO2 emissions from food will not stop climate change. But introducing labels is cheap, so it might be worth the effort. Yet, university students are young, highly educated, and generally concerned about climate change. Can carbon labels push the general population towards greener diets as well? In a recent working paper (Imai et al., 2023), we investigate this question. We move from the idea that carbon labels work because people would like to reduce their footprint, but they don't know how much each of their actions pollutes. The labels correct consumers' misperceptions about CO2 emissions and allow them to make more sustainable decisions. This knowledge-to-action mechanism is behind many policy interventions. For example, the European Commission stated that to facilitate the green transition, it "aims to ensure [...] that consumers have better information to be able to make an informed choice." Our research project answers the question in two steps. First, we identified the products for which correcting consumers' misperceptions should generate significant changes in behavior. These are the products for which a) many people think the emissions are lower than they are, and b) the people who make this mistake care about climate change. It turns out that people are worst at guessing the emissions generated by more polluting products. Hence, we predicted that one of the most promising targets of information is beef – one of the most polluting foods. Meanwhile, we predicted no consumer reaction to information about a similar product like poultry meat. Chickens are about ten times less polluting than cows – mainly because cows produce large amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. These predictions rely on data from a representative sample of US residents. In the second step, we tested if these predictions were correct. To do so, we ran an experiment with another large sample of US consumers. In this experiment, we asked participants how much they were willing to pay for a shipment of meat to their home address. The shipment was real, and people who wanted to receive it needed to pay for it. We divided our participants into four groups: chicken-with information, chicken-without information, beef-with information, and beef-without information. The information told the participants about the average emissions associated with the production and distribution of one pound (0.45 kg) of each type of meat. Participants engaged with the information: If they learnt how, they started thinking that poultry meat was also very bad for the environment. Yet, the information doesn't reduce the amount the participants want to pay for the meat. This null effect of information was expected for chicken. It is contrary to our predictions for beef. Our results are bad news for carbon labels. Beef is one of the products for which we should see the largest effects of labels, yet we can't detect any. Our sample is representative of the US populations (according to age and gender); we can exclude that the null result is driven by inattention, confusion, lack of trust in the scientists, participants that don't eat meat, or meat being a product whose consumption is hard to cut. We also don't find any self-reported reduction in meat consumption 2 weeks after the intervention. Overall, our results indicate that increasing the general population's knowledge about food carbon footprint does not result in more climate-friendly diets. Yet, not all hope is lost. Our intervention targets the misperception channel, but there is another reason why carbon labels might push people to make greener choices. Schulze-Tilling (2024) shows that students' food choices change if they are forced to think about CO2 emissions without receiving any new information about them. In her experiment, this salience-of-emissions mechanism is responsible for most of the effects of carbon labels. This salience channel is muted in our experiment as we mention CO2 emissions and their consequences to every participant, including those that don't receive the information about the exact emissions associated with the meat they can buy. The salience of environmental impact is also important for other decisions. Fang et al. (2023) show that shower meters that give real-time feedback about water temperature and usage reduce energy consumption. This study took place in students' dorms in Bonn. However, the salience channel has yet to be tested with the general population. Taking stock, carbon labels could have pushed you to choose a more sustainable meal today. Mostly because they would have made you think – and maybe feel uneasy - about the emissions you were about to cause. Yet, if this is the reason, reading this article before going to the canteen might be as good as seeing a traffic light label next to your favorite food. Sources: Fang, X., Goette, L., Rockenbach, B., Sutter, M., Tiefenbeck, V., Schoeb, S., & Staake, T. 2023. Complementarities in behavioral interventions: Evidence from a field experiment on resource conservation. Journal of Public Economics, 228, 105028. Lohmann, Paul, Elisabeth Gsottbauer, Anya Doherty, and Andreas Kontoleon. 2022. “Do Carbon Footprint Labels Promote Climatarian Diets? Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Experiment.” Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 114, 102693. Imai, Taisuke, Davide D. Pace, Peter Schwardmann, and Joël J. van der Weele. 2022. “Correcting Consumer Misperceptions About CO 2 Emissions.” CESifo working paper 10138. Schulze -Tilling, Anna. 2023. “Changing consumption behavior with carbon labels: Causal evidence on behavioral channels and effectiveness.” Mimeo, University of Bonn.

In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, a technological and economic revolution quietly took root, giving rise to a new era for money. Fuelled by distrust in the traditional centralized financial system, the advent of cryptocurrencies and fintech companies promised a vision for a faster, more transparent, trustless, and inclusive financial landscape. However, the manner in which this revolution has been unfolding lately may surprise many. In the last years, financial innovation has been brought forward not only by private fintech companies but increasingly central banks worldwide have been showing interest in developing their own sets of digital currencies. As of September, 93 percent of central banks are exploring Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), and 58 percent consider that they are likely to or might possibly issue a retail CBDC in either the short or medium term. This interest has sparked skepticism, as what began as a movement steering personal finance away from traditional centralized systems is now being propelled by the very institutions it sought to disrupt. This intriguing twist raises the question about the intent of central banks in this new endeavour: are CBDCs the natural evolution of cash or a gateway to a mass-surveillance dystopia? Digital Currencies 101 As of today, a myriad of different types of digital currencies exist in the market, but these can be simplified into three big families: cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and CBDCs. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, operate on decentralized, peer-to-peer blockchain networks, relying on cryptographic algorithms to secure transactions. In essence, they lack a central authority and are subject to market-driven price volatility, meaning their price is driven by the prospect of increased implementation, supply, competing cryptocurrencies, and investor sentiment. Stablecoins provide the same crypto nature while maintaining a high degree of price stability as they are pegged to external assets, such as fiat currencies or commodities. This can be done either through an algorithmic smart contract to regulate the coin's supply in response to market demand, or through fiat-collateralization; for every unit of stablecoin in circulation, an equivalent amount in fiat currency is held in reserve. Finally, CBDCs represent digital forms of national currency issued and regulated by a central bank, presenting the potential for a government-backed digital currency with the stability of traditional fiat. CBDC holdings are securely stored in e-wallets, ensuring the safety of assets through advanced security measures such as encryption and authentication protocols, with their value guaranteed by the authority of the central bank. Payments in the CBDC ecosystem operate on a peer-to-peer basis, enabling direct transactions between users without the need for financial intermediaries like commercial banks. The article will focus on the EU’s plan to implement a digital euro in the near future. For its purpose, when other forms of private money will be mentioned, these will refer to stablecoins, not cryptocurrencies, as they are mostly in line with the functions of money (store of value, unit of account, and medium of exchange). Why would the ECB want to implement it? The European Central Bank (ECB) has been at the forefront of CBDC development since early 2020 when the first Digital Euro report was published. Since then, the project has gained momentum and made constant progress. In Europe today, the main question about CBDCs is not if these will be implemented, but rather when, with 2026 as a possible launch period. The main explanation for the ECB wanting to implement an e-Euro would be financial stability considerations. Indeed, central banks fear that the rise of fintech, stablecoins, and new digital payment options, could hinder their ability to control new monetary aggregates, and hence pass effective monetary policy. Moreover, the uncoordinated issuance and use of private money may lead to undesirable disruptions to the financial system and increase financial risks in the economy. Secondly, payment systems, such as Visa and Mastercard, are sets of backbone technologies stuck in the 1970s: unreliable, slow, and expensive as a means of payment. In Europe, the aggregate cost of making retail payments is 0.96 percent of GDP, allowing oligopolists to benefit without those benefits accruing to the broad users of the system. An e-euro would, therefore, not only offer a safe store of value compared to new digital payment methods but would also offer faster, cheaper and more efficient means of payment compared to traditional payment methods. In simple terms, it would get rid of tollbooths and convert the network into a public highway system that everyone can use without any cost. Lastly, by implementing an e-euro the ECB expects to increase financial inclusion in its economies as savings among the previously unbanked and underserved populations can be mobilized in CBDCs increasing their access to digital payments, but more importantly credit. While one could argue that the unbanked population is on the brink of disappearing, given the notable decrease from 8.2 percent in 2017 to 3.6 percent in 2021, this is overall weak and elitist point as of today still more than 10 million inhabitants of EU countries fall under this category. How could this affect monetary policy? The issuance of e-euros will impact key parts of the EU’s macroeconomic environment in two distinct manners. Firstly, upon issuance, it will change the tightness of financial conditions and secondly, in general, will change the degree of transmission of monetary policy. To explain this this article will directly refer to IMF’s working paper, Implications of Central Bank Digital Currencies for Monetary Policy Transmission (Das et al, 2023). Financial Conditions The issuance and adoption of a digital euro will likely tighten financial conditions in Europe in the short term and medium term. For example, the introduction of a digital euro should intensify competition for bank deposit funding. As CBDCs offer a secure store of value and an efficient payment method, individuals may opt for CBDCs over traditional bank deposits, resulting in a reduction of available deposit funding for banks (Figure 1). The extent of this impact hinges on how appealing CBDCs are as alternatives to deposits, particularly, but regardless, banks will need to increase interest rates to counterbalance the liquidity advantages of CBDCs. Higher deposit interest rates will likely tighten the economic environment. [Figure 1] Moreover, the difficulties encountered by banks to fund operations via demand deposits could lead to an increase in wholesale funding as an alternative. Typically, lending rates in these cases are higher, meaning that again the macroeconomic outlook might tighten in the short run. These two effects will likely decrease bank profits, which itself would alter financial conditions as banks will have to adjust their behaviour in a changed macroeconomic environment. How they will do it is not so sure and will surely depend on the implementation regulation, design and the economic outlook in the next few years. Banks could either decide or be forced to tighten their lending standards by efficiently selecting sensible loans and avoiding non-performing loans, tightening conditions further. Clearly, by lowering bank profits CBDCs could also play a big role in mitigating incentivization issues and moral hazards in the banking sector. Overall, monetary theory would suggest that in the short run issuance of e-euros could tighten financial conditions in Europe, leading to higher interest rates for consumers, businesses and banks themselves. However,  the ECB, like with any other economic shock, will have the ability to adjust its policy instruments to mitigate and achieve its objectives as the macroeconomic environment evolves, meaning the changes would not be persistent. Monetary Policy Transmission More important will be the impact on the transmission of monetary policy that the adoption of a digital euro will have. Monetary transmission operates through two main channels. The interest rate channel, where changes in the policy rate impact overall interest rates, influences aggregate demand through credit demand and borrower income. The bank lending channel, where changes in the policy rate affect banks' cost of funds, impacts their creditworthiness and ability to supply credit by adjusting lending rates and standards. If we consider the probable scenario of heightened competition for bank deposit funding, it would reinforce the effectiveness of both the interest rate and bank lending channels. A more competitive banking sector improves the transmission from policy rates to deposit rates, thereby enhancing the impact of the interest rate channel, especially in situations where banks wield less market power. This increased competition also makes bank lending rates more responsive to changes in policy rates. The increase in wholesale funding further strengthens the bank lending channel, as wholesale funding costs exhibit greater sensitivity to central bank policy rates compared to retail deposits. Moreover, increased monetary autonomy resulting from reduced dollarization or cryptoization amplifies all transmission channels, thereby fostering a more robust effectiveness of monetary policy. In an interest rate corridor system, like the one the ECB uses, also focusing on a market demand for CBDCs introduces complexity to forecasting the required liquidity for optimizing open market operations (OMO). Indeed, precise forecasting of banks' reserve requirements is crucial for adjusting the reserves lent by central banks OMOs. The introduction of CBDCs adds intricacy to liquidity estimates, particularly considering the potential irregularities and novelty associated with the demand for these new payment instruments. The volatility in demand may escalate, especially during times of crisis. Central banks are expected to enhance their forecasting accuracy over time and develop tools to mitigate the impact of forecasting errors. Overall, the introduction of a CBDC by the ECB will likely improve the transmission of monetary policy in the Eurozone, but more importantly will succeed in its main aim, not lose control over new monetary aggregates. E-Euro Design At this point, it is important to acknowledge that while the general magnitude and direction of these effects can be studied, their actual impact will heavily depend on the final design and regulation of the CBDC digital euro. For instance, as of today, the ECB is considering implementing a 3,000 e-euro holding limit for each individual; exceeding this limit would trigger an automatic conversion of holdings into bank deposits. Moreover, it remains uncertain whether the ECB will have the authority to apply rates to these digital holdings. If such rate application were to occur, it could, on one hand, reinforce the transmission of monetary policy, but on the other hand, it might be inconsistent with the assumption that CBDCs should be equivalent to cash, which traditionally carries a zero-rate property. The ECB has explicitly stated that the e-euro should not bear interest. Consequently, the potential for increased competition and wholesale funding effects is likely to be limited. This limitation stems from the expectation of a modest substitution of bank deposits for CBDCs due to a relatively low holding limit and the non-remunerative nature of digital currencies compared to bank deposits. Surveillance & Cyber-security Despite the many useful features an e-euro would bring to the individual consumer and the instruments it would give the ECB, prevailing sentiments suggest widespread apprehension, discontent, and mistrust toward its implementation. Privacy concerns and fear of centralization are key drivers of this skepticism. The notion that personal data and transaction histories could be stored on a blockchain with centralized control raises realistic fears that are challenging to dismiss, even when considering potential advantages for financial stability. This skepticism alongside a far-from-ideal communication from the ECB created an environment where CBDC advocation is certainly a difficult task for the ECB. [CBDC protest in Amsterdam, February 2023] To trace, or not to trace While the ECB assures users of privacy-enhancing measures, such as offline digital payments with zero access to transaction data, other statements about online payments leaving traces on the blockchain raise concerns about complete anonymity. ECB President Lagarde's statement that "digital money leaves a trace on the blockchain, it will not be completely anonymous as is the case with a banknote", while honest, adds to the uncertainty. Additionally, reconciling ambitious anti-money laundering and anti-tax avoidance plans with minimal privacy and anonymity guarantees for individuals remains a perplexing challenge. Despite growing pessimism, the new system will work very similarly to the current system where payments are being processed by commercial banks. Just like paying for an ice cream with your card today, would result in some of your data being shared with commercial banks, paying for an ice cream with digital euros will still send consumer data to commercial banks as they will have a role “as intermediaries to disseminate the digital euro”. Banks would analyse data and share it with CBDC users. Indeed, presenting a digital euro with complete anonymity would contrast the ambition of fighting money laundering, tax evasion and terrorism financing, however it would seem the ECB will not have access to user data directly as this will be in the new mandate for commercial banks. While the ECB asserts the impossibility of direct identification, doubts linger, leaving room for speculation about potential non-direct identification possibilities. The Politics of CBDCs The real problem with the political status of the digital euro more likely seems to be an increasing anti-institution sentiment and disillusionment in central authorities in Europe. Skepticism towards established institutions has grown, spanning from national governments to the financial system, and an arguably bureaucratically inefficient EU system. This skepticism extends to entities that are politically neutral and independent, such as the ECB. Recent socio-political events, such as increasing energy prices, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of populist movements in European countries, have certainly intensified this anti-institution mood, making reform implementation a harder task, even if these are sensible or required. There is an escalating demand for transparency, accountability, and systemic reform, reflecting a desire to address the perceived shortcomings of traditional structures. Adding to the uncertainty, ECB decision-making if not poor has at least been questionable. The challenge lies in the complexity of working papers, often inaccessible to the average person, and the decision to engage primarily with business owners regarding the implementation of the digital euro rather than the general population and individual consumers. This approach leaves minimal room for the public to comprehend, relate to, and trust the proposal. The intricate nature of the documentation creates a barrier, hindering widespread understanding and buy-in from the broader community. By focusing solely on business owners, there is a risk of alienating the individual consumers who form a crucial part of the user base. A more inclusive and transparent communication strategy is vital to bridge this gap, ensuring that the benefits and implications of the digital euro are clearly communicated and understood by the entire population. What is arguably the most frightening feature of CBDCs though are potential programmability features. While discussing the construction and implementation of a possible digital pound, Tom Mutton, fintech and CBDC director for the Bank of England (BoE), stated that e-pounds might have be programmable. This denotes the capability to integrate specific rules and conditions into the CBDC infrastructure, enabling the automatic execution of transactions based on predetermined criteria. This feature introduces a dynamic dimension to monetary and fiscal policies, allowing for the implementation of conditional payments and innovative financial solutions. Of all the conceivable scenarios for CBDCs, the one where central authorities dictate the what, when, and where of your purchases is undeniably the most alarming. It echoes dystopian narratives familiar from fiction, raising concerns about individual freedoms and privacy in the digital age. It is important to note however that the ECB compared to the BoE possesses a much higher degree of freedom and political independence. Thus, programmability seems very farfetched and a feature that as of today has never been discussed. Amidst the fervour and craziness in CBDC discussion and protests, it seems many people forget (or simply do not know) that the ECB mandate has nothing to do with politics, power and authority, but rather with keeping low and stable inflation for the benefit of Europe. No CBDC, no problem Even if the implementation of the digital euro will not materialize due to political and social considerations, it does not equate to comprehensive privacy protection from digital currencies. The global adoption of stablecoins for digital payments is on the rise and may become the primary medium of exchange if CBDC projects do not come to fruition. This financial institution will nevertheless gain users' personal data.  For example, a major player in the stablecoin market is Tether, a Chinese-based company with significant market capitalization (89 billion USD). Despite being a private entity, Tether's ties, like those of most Chinese companies, with central authorities and the CCP are inseparable. This raises a crucial question: would individuals prefer sharing their data with an independent central bank like the ECB or with a powerful foreign central authority such as the CCP? The answers to such questions are deeply personal, highlighting the importance of considering data protection and privacy concerns amid the evolving landscape of digital currencies also in the absence of a digital euro. Final considerations As much as it would seem there is a dilemma between accepting new efficient monetary policy tools for the ECB and giving up a certain degree of privacy and anonymity in digital transactions; the problem with the status quo of a digital euro seems more linked to political disillusionment and anti-institution sentiment in Europe. The use of an European CBDC would surely ensure a higher degree of financial stability for the Eurozone in an evolving digital financial environment. One could only begin to imagine the problems created by a loss of monetary control aggregates in an economic union such as the EU. Over time, CBDCs will have the potential to uphold the convertibility between private and central bank money, particularly in regions where physical cash is losing prominence. While public money, fosters trust; private money fuels innovation. The preservation of this convertibility serves as a crucial "monetary anchor," contributing to the overall trust in the monetary system and ensuring the central bank's continued efficacy in conducting monetary policy. This does not mean we should put our privacy considerations aside, but perhaps we should not go searching for problems where none exist. A digital euro will likely not bring big changes to the way the financial system treats privacy, anonymity and individuality itself. It might be wiser to entrust the capable hands of monetary and financial experts to navigate these waters and bring about the future of money.

Recent years have been associated with the slowest economic growth of the developed economies in Western Europe since the end of World War II. The phenomenon has caught the attention of policymakers as the continent is becoming less competitive against the US and rapidly changing Asian countries. This contrasts with Europe's desire to maintain the status quo as a global trading centre. The article delves into the economic theory of development and examines the issue through the lens of models developed by Solow, Romer, and Jones. It explores the challenges of demographics, innovation, and resources. The Solow growth model is a precursor of the research in economic development. It examines the long-term relationship between accumulated capital (K) and output (GDP, Y). The production is represented by a Cobb-Douglas function of capital and effective labour (that is, technology  multiplied by labour, A × L). In the steady state, the economy reaches the balanced level of capital and output, which remains stable unless any exogenous shocks occur. That equilibrium in capital is achieved when the investments (savings from the consumption, s – savings rate) are equal to the depreciation of the capital stock (Acemoglu, 2009). The capital accumulation equation is hence as follows: In the equilibrium, the output per worker (y) is therefore described as: Where s – savings rate, n – population growth,  delta – depreciation, α – capital/labour ratio. s, n, delta, α are exogenous in the model, so only the labour-augmenting technology growth included in the A(t) function impacts the growth of the output. The conclusions from the model are hence two-fold. Changes in savings, depreciation, and demographics can only cause level effects on the economic output. While they can help increase the GDP per capita, they are not the drivers enabling to sustain long-term growth of the economy. What really matters for the growth rate is the technological improvement. In the European context, the reference has to be made to the innovations developed in the continent. Despite the high standards of European universities, the business environment and the states are less active in research and development than the world’s counterparts, and as a result, the EU lags behind the US and China in innovation. Take, for instance, the AI ranking; Europe is not leading in any of the categories, and is experiencing a dependence on technologies from other parts of the world (Centre for Data Innovation, 2019). Most of the technologies used nowadays do not originate from the continent, as the vast majority of the production of the key supplies (such as semi-conductors) is also taking place outside of Europe. Therefore, the model recommends more emphasis on investment in new technologies, especially on the platform of the European Union, to catch up with the growth experienced in other parts of the world. In particular, it is clear the organisation have to perform a successful transition to modern energy, as stated in the EU’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. The slower economic growth in Europe can also be explained by concluding that the region is in the late stage of reaching the steady state, therefore locating itself in the flat part of the concave sY function (see graph below). It is a reasonable conclusion, especially given the disproportionate growth between the developed slow West and converging post-Soviet Europe. However, it is a short-term explanation that does not change the fact that in the long-term, it is the technology that puts the GDP per capita forward. The narrative that since Europe has developed so much already that it has to grow slower is, therefore, not a convincing excuse. The Solow model predicts that there is still much potential to uncover by investing in technology, as it shifts the output’s steady state upwards. Source: Spencer & Dimand (2010). Romer, on the other hand, in his model advocates for investments in knowledge and human capital. According to his view, the output depends on the ideas developed by the researchers, as they enhance the country’s economic group. That growth of ideas (g), however, is a function of the productivity of ideas production (z), the labour force (L), and the share of the labour force employed in research (l). Where A0 is the initial output. Therefore, in order to realise a high growth rate in a country, there is a need for a qualified labour force working in research, and to facilitate the idea production by creating a helpful environment. It requires investments in higher education and research. Apart from that, economic potential can be induced through the channel of L, which can be achieved in demographic policies comprising fertility and immigration measures. Thus, countries should be encouraged to promote larger families and facilitate migrants to enter the labour force. While persuading people to have more children is really difficult in the developed, career-oriented society (see examples of failures of 500+ policy in Poland, or lump-sum childbirth cash transfer in Spain 2007-2010), there is still some room to attract foreigners to come to Europe and work towards the economic benefit of the continent. This is, however, in the light of ongoing right-wing political wave and public opposition to relaxed migrant policy, not likely to be progressing in the direction the model suggests. The European Union has one of the highest ratios of highly qualified workforce in the world with more than 40% having completed tertiary education (Eurostat, 2022), which suggests that the situation in that matter is really good. However, there has been an increasing discussion on the curtailment of the internationalisation of education. For instance, the Netherlands is starting to call for fewer students coming from abroad amid the housing and cost of living crisis. Since international exchange of thought is a key factor for idea development (expressed in z), those threats could potentially negatively impact the future state of education in Europe. Romer’s model (1990), though, suggests that a higher portion of researchers in the population will always bring economic growth. That is, to some extent, unrealistic. Although the number of people employed in academia has risen significantly over the last decades, the statistics on GDP per capita growth did not follow that pattern. That has been noticed by Jones (2022), who expands the model to correct for the diminishing returns to idea creation (A). When inventions are abundant, it becomes more difficult (and more resource-intensive) to come up with new ones. Therefore, he suggests a function that accounts for that by including β (amount of ideas already explored) and σ > 0 that captures the importance of ideas. The growth is, therefore, dependent on how important the new ideas are, how much of them are already developed, and what the population growth is. The output can also benefit one-time effects of the increase in h – human capital measure. Since β cannot be decreased by the policymakers, they should focus on the demographic policies (through n) and facilitate the emergence of new ideas, by investing in research technology, for example. That brings us to the same conclusions as the combined Solow and Romer model make; that is, the main determinants of future growth are investments in population growth, human capital and new technologies. Europe's slowing economic growth poses a significant challenge to its global competitiveness and status. Through the models described, it becomes apparent that demographic shifts, innovation dynamics, and resource management are pivotal factors influencing the region's economic trajectory. Although no model is a perfect representation of the real economy, it is practical to use a variety of them as proxies for what types of measures should be implemented. Policymakers must adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses these challenges to ensure sustained economic growth, competitiveness, and the preservation of Europe's position in the global economic landscape. By matching all of those pieces together, the continent has an opportunity for a bright economic future. References Acemoglu, Daron (2009). "The Solow Growth Model". Introduction to Modern Economic Growth. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp. 26–76. ISBN 978-0-691-13292-1. Center for Data Innovation (2019). Who Is Winning the AI Race: China, the EU or the United States? https://datainnovation.org/2019/08/who-is-winning-the-ai-race-china-the-eu-or-the-united-states/ Eurostat (2022). Educational attainment statistics. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Educational_attainment_statistics Jones, C. I. (2022). The Past and Future of Economic Growth: A Semi-Endogenous Perspective. Annual Review of Economics, 14(1), 125–152. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080521-012458 Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous Technological Change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5), S71–S102. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2937632 Spencer, B.J., & Dimand, R.W. (2010). The Diagrams of the Solow-Swan Growth Model

Parallels Between Buddhism’s Five Fears and Politics According to Buddhist beliefs, there are five great fears in the human mind: death, illness, dementia, loss of livelihood, and public speaking. There is no need to have more than these to influence our daily lives as we go on with our ordinary businesses. Even if we don’t recognize the fear of death, it is, in fact, around the corner at all times, and so are the others. Although they are personal and individual signs of perceived weaknesses, we can find them in systems and societies. The death of the status quo or the possible illness of a well-working machine can also come to mind. If we deep-dive into these concepts, we can easily find ourselves in a pool of political communication trying to bring us towards a fear of losing something that is at least stable. The work of Buddha can, in many cases, be reflected in today’s society, and his theory on fear is a significant talking point on how political messaging pulls us into an arena of fear. source: Dall-E Death Death is essentially what we are all afraid of. Something indescribable, something metaphysical, something we want to hide, or other ways romanticize. But is that only true for the death of a person, an animal, or any other living entity? No. We are generally afraid of the sudden end of anything. A bullish market, political power, an idea that connects us, anything. Moreover, death means that something ends, opening the door for something new, which is often scary. All in all, an unexpected end to the status quo is what we are all dreading. Few events are as emotionally potent as death. Having someone important pass away shakes your body, and even the thought of it scares you from acting irrationally. This is what politicians often take advantage of in speeches or political programs. One can see this aspect in two ways: literally and symbolically. In literal terms, politicians use the memory of death as a tool to make people remember all the struggles that happened in a political regime before them. Primarily, this is utilized when there are rising conflicts on the horizon, such as wars or pandemics. In the last couple of years, it has become a heavily used weapon. Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have ordered an emergency state, leading to lower checks and balances in lawmaking. Even though it is, in fact, needed in the event of a crisis to make legal power more efficient, in countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Hungary, an over-push resulted in the abuse of power. The (then) president of the South American giant, Bolsonaro, faced controversy for downplaying the number of infected citizens and deaths while opposing lockdowns and masks. Critics say that this was his political tactic, showing the citizens that the country was totally safe and there was no reason to doubt the current leadership. Turkey and Hungary were criticized for the same actions, consolidating power. At the beginning of the pandemic, Prime Minister Orbán’s government acquired the right to rule by decree, which brought about immense concerns about executive power. Similarly, in Turkey, President Erdogan has pushed for greater control over the judiciary. While in the previous examples, death and the possibility of mortality have referred to concrete cases and actions, symbolic references are also standard in political communication. It is pretty frequent on the conservative side to refer to the dangers of changing the status quo, which, to some extent, resembles death in their eyes. Let’s just take Margaret Thatcher as an example. The previous prime minister of the UK has often emphasized the idea of slowly moving forward, not risking any unexpected change in what we know for sure. She broadcasted the concept of steady-state growth and opposed the hurrying sounds coming from the socialist party. Thatcher often emphasized the dangers of the unexpected and laid down a system that she thought would be safe to improve. Moreover, on the other side of the Anglo-Saxon world at that time, Ronald Reagan famously indicated his will to return to conservative principles in order to save the private liberty of American citizens. In his 1980s campaign, his program included tax cuts, increasing defense spending, and pushing back socialist ideas in order to maintain American principles. The back-reach for conservative politics swept through the Western World, leading to higher caution for the changing dynamics. In a way, right-wing politicians believed that the uprising of leftist ideas could bring death to the stability of the status quo. source: Dall-E Illness Illness is viewed as a weakness of our body. When our system is not prepared for outside shocks or inner malfunctions, then we lose our strength and get tied to bed. In all cultures, but in Buddhism more significantly, sickness is a symbol of impermanence. According to the teachings, nothing lasts forever, and everything humane, artificial, and natural is subject to change. Moreover, some Buddhists believe that sickness might be the result of past actions in correspondence with the law of karma. This is where the concept connects with politics. It is a common communication tool to recollect the memories of the hard times and blame the origins for current problems. For instance, all politicians in the entire post-soviet bloc hold the times before the change of regimes accountable for today’s malfunctions. In the Czech Republic, previous president Miloš Zeman often mentions his view, stating that the malfunctions of today’s democracy are the aftermath of Soviet political oppression. His idea is basically that it is difficult for politicians who grew up in the communist era to play by the rules of democracy, which often leads to abuse of power. Furthermore, illness in politics comes forward in the speeches of populist leaders, who tend to emphasize the dangers of the current ‘sick’ society. Public figures like Donald Trump, Bolsonaro, and Marine Le Pen criticize the non-normality of our society and blame the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and leftist leaders for all the defects of our systems. They are somehow able to cover up all issues with short and quick blame on particular groups of people. However, it is only natural. In order for a populist to thrive, they need to blame some sort of illness of the system. With that, they can swiftly find the enemy in the public conversation, which is key to their political success. Lastly, on this topic, we have to mention regimes that committed genocides. According to their views, a group of people are the illness of the system. For instance, for the Nazi Germany, the Jews, the Soviet Union, the Holodomor, and the list is sadly long. These minorities are often blamed for the malfunctions of the system. The 20th century, with its numerous genocides and hate campaigns, is a perfect example of the case. However, even today, in all societies, a group of minorities is always held accountable for any faults in the system. In Europe, it is often the Roma population, in the US, the Afro-American minority, and sadly, so on and so forth. Dementia The concept of dementia in our topic is much more abstract than the previous two. It is a state of instability, sometimes a lack of ability to decide, basically losing some connections to life and the real world. Losing balance in norms and actions is reflected in politics. The uncertainty in a system, a state close to anarchy. Ordinary citizens, and even more so the elderly, are afraid of a system that is so uncertain that it is hard to control and navigate. Even if a political regime is unliked, it has authority in the public, and to some extent, it is trusted with great respect. However, when the last drip of trust overflows, the country is left in a state that nothing can be predicted. And what happens then? Well, first, economically, the country gets into a spiral of capital loss. It cannot attract income from abroad; therefore, it cannot finance its own operations.  As a result, the state becomes more and more insolvent, leading to a scenario where there is no value left in the economy. Of course, this is a drastic example. In the real world, international agreements like the IMF or the World Bank would never allow this scenario to happen. However, a total loss of trust from the public has more than significant effects. Let’s just take, for instance, when a central bank loses its authority. The market will not respond to its interest rate cuts or announcements, leaving it an insolvent institute. This whole  phenomenon is similar to what plays down in an old man’s mind when it is tortured with dementia. Losing control over what is right or what is not and  is a clear pathway to losing ideas on what might solutions be. In a more political and social way, losing trust will result in total chaos. Citizens will not trust any state-owned or operated institutes, such as hospitals or schools. As a result, the living standards of lower-income families will further decrease, as it is unaffordable for them to avoid state-controlled hospitals, for instance. The gap between income levels will severely increase, which historically leads to riots, wars, and all in all, anarchy. Therefore, politicians try to avoid any possibility of losing trust. Even if they stand corrected, they will never accept the evidence of having some malfunctions inside the system. It is easier to understand it in an example. After the Covid-19 pandemic, almost all European countries experienced a high inflationary environment. However, there were some countries that were hit by a significantly more extensive level, like Hungary and Estonia. Now, in a case where some countries’ level of inflation exceeds the average of the economic organization (EU) by a large percentage, it is evident that there are local problems inside the country that cannot be attributed to outside shocks. Politicians, however, are hesitant to embrace this idea, as they would have to take responsibility for malfunctions. For instance, Viktor Orbán, in all his speeches, seemed very confident in holding European lawmakers, the war in Ukraine, and the market price of gas accountable. He never once mentioned that the excess inflation might be the fault of mistaken economic decisions. This is where the game of trust enters the ring. Do whatever to avoid losing trust because if it happens, the status quo breaks. Loss of Livelihood The fourth great fear in Buddhist belief is loss of livelihood. The term, in other words, means losing the standard of life we view as suitable or needed. Although, according to the old religion, this standard should be an utterly low baseline, it can be pasted into modern world scenarios. We are all dreading a shock that would put us down to our last pennies, leading us to a situation of vulnerability. This is what politicians often exploit in their agendas. It is quite a common communication tool to mention the possibility of declining living standards if, for example, some economic regulation is not pushed through. Donald Trump, in this topic, comes in handy again, as during his presidential campaign in 2016, he vowed to renegotiate or withdraw the NAFTA agreement.  Although he did not reach his initial goal in this area, he has gained a significant base of voters, as he broadcasted that the economic policy in hand only worsened the standards of American car manufacturers. In 2018, he also used similar rhetoric while imposing the Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, stating that it increases the standards of living for American steelworkers. In both cases, it is clear that while both of them are controversial, the public can easily support them as they fear the loss of their livelihood. These tools have been used several times in similar cases, such as the Brexit and the TPP debates. source: Dall-E Moreover, it is expected to use newscasts and other media outlets to inform the public about tragedies that happen in some other system. This is a powerful tool for populists to deter voters from changing the status quo. They often suggest that a possible change of regime would be followed by a robust economic downturn resulting in loss of general livelihood. This leaves even economically wrong administrations in place to run the country. Public Speaking Curiously enough, the fifth and last great fear, according to the teachings of Buddha, is public speaking. Those who suffer from this type of anxiety state that it is at least as severe as any other anxiety episode. It is pretty clear how politics comes into the picture when public speaking is concerned.  On an obvious note, politicians battle almost daily on the grounds of speeches. A slight mistake in a sentence can mean a loss of a debate and can lead straight to humiliation. Public speakers can often suffer from mockery and taunting when stating their ideas, which might easily be misinterpreted by the public. However, the fear of public speaking on a population level is much more serious. Politicians often take advantage of the fact that members of the general public are not as skilled or confident as they are in coming forward with their ideas and complaints. Most of the time, this pressure silences the voice of talented thinkers and makes them try to meet society's expectations. This aspect is to the advantage of all public figures, as they are the only ones leading the rhetoric in this way. source: Dall-E All in all, the parallel between Buddhism's five great fears and the pool of politics offers a fascinating insight into the human psyche and the strategies utilized by politicians to control public opinion. These fears, death, illness, dementia, loss of livelihood, and public speaking, resonate deeply with the human mind, shaping perceptions and influencing voter’s decisions. In the political arena, these fears become strong tools for persuasion. Politicians, both subtly and openly, exploit these fears to push through their agendas, maintain their power, or deflect attention from their shortcomings. By understanding and tapping into these fears, politicians aim to control narratives, shape public discourse, and rally support. In order for us to be able to fully control our right to vote or our right to free speech, we ought to realize the political tools we face every day. It is a dangerous game when citizens do not educate themselves on the strategies public figures use, as at that point, humans are easy to convince. It is vital to see behind the scenes and not be left out of the information flow.

An Industry worth 67.8 billion dollars, growing at 3% year-over-year, surprisingly has only a few actors that play a role in its value. The Global Art Market is seen by many as secluded and elitist leading to even mainstream media mentioning the absurdity. “The Intouchables”; a French movie which grossed 360 million euros at the box office arises to me as an example. In the movie, a wealthy aristocrat Philip is pondering on buying a painting (which is a literal splash of red paint on a white canvas) for 41,500 euros. His caretaker Driss can’t wrap his head around why a person would spend such a hefty sum on a “nosebleed”. The movie follows up with Driss, without any artist background, painting his own version of a “nosebleed”, adding his touch of colors. Ironically, his painting was sold for 11,000 euros, thanks to the aristocrat Philip for his connections and the white lies that he told his friend, who bought this masterpiece from an ‘unknown artist’. The art world exists in a remarkably secluded realm. While the phrase "It's a small world" often rings true, the art world takes this to an extreme, resembling nothing more than a minute atom in size. Within this minuscule sphere, a select group of 'elites' wields tyrannical influence, determining both the price and artistic value of creations. Honestly, I have no idea what are the requirements of an artwork that would be considered ‘valuable’. In 2019, a banana duct taped to a wall was sold for $120,000. I guess you will never know if you buy a lucky banana one day. Of course, the artist of this masterpiece, Maurizio Cattelan, was well-known in the contemporary art world at the time. So maybe your name has any value? Talking about Da Vinci, his painting called “Salvator Mundi” was thought to be a copy of the original artist’s work and was sold in 2005 for about a thousand dollars. After years of digging and nagging the poor painting, it was recognized as an original work of Leonardo Da Vinci. Of course, it was then sold for about 400 million US dollars. As much as some people may be passionate about art and dream of becoming a world-known artist, the industry only revolves around and benefits a few people. It is also a place where these few people can get away with some dirty deeds. For instance, a rich person with great connections buys multiple art pieces from one artist. What does he do then? Displays it to all his acquaintances, bombastically presents it as a work of the century, and sells it for a huge price. The other works of the same artist automatically become more valuable and expensive. The person who has now acquired the art piece sprints to a charity organization or a gallery, donates it, and boom: much less taxes to pay. I am not even mentioning the countless avenues for money laundering in such a complex world. Truly this secluded world lacks transparency and is surrounded by elitists that benefit from it. Many artists are fighting for a higher degree of equity, inclusion, and fairness in the industry. Among them, is Tanvi Kulshrehta, a former management graduate who now works as a full-time, self-employed abstract painter in Pune, India. In a 2023 interview with The Best Adress, she says “There is no doubt that those with influential networks are favored in the art world, and like any other field, politics plays a role. Neither primary-market pricing nor curatorial credibility is transparent, which leads to a lack of confidence in the market”. What about the artists that start from zero? What about the artists who do not have good connections or resources? It is a hard industry, even if you have been gifted with an astonishing talent. A random “nosebleed” can cost thousands of euros if the artist is in the elitist circle but a piece that took months may be seen as an ‘amateur work’ if the artist’s name doesn’t carry any fame. Brian Boucher for an Artnet news article dives into this topic more deeply, one gallery director says: “It’s supposedly so democratic and open to people but in reality, it’s cliquish and elitist, so it’s impossible for many people to gain access”. The so-called “Nepotism babies” have overruled this world. If you analyze the names or surnames or investigate the connections that ‘valuable’ artists have, you could find friendships, parents, or wealth that may be hidden there. An art curator’s job is mostly to just feature artists that they have worked with before, became friends with, or offered a few bucks. Art is not critical anymore, it’s an inheritance, legacy, or just simply money. Critical in this context would particularly mean evaluating art in a way that the artist’s name wouldn’t have a significant impact on the value. If you ask me, multiple things give merit to the artwork. For instance, the message and symbolic value, the time put into and the methods used to make it. To add up to this, the evaluation would be more accurate if done with multiple people, not only the ones that rule the art world, but also the ones that like art in general. Without substantial guidelines and effective unbiased critique of an artist's work will the blood sweat and tears of up-and-coming artists ever be rewarded? Much has been said about the artist's struggles, however, one must also consider the average art enthusiast who may not stumble upon great art pieces not shown in galleries. When one buys a phone at a large electronics store, one is presented with all options available at the time with their respective specifications. If Apple lobbied with all electronics stores in the world and only made their phones visible to consumers and subsequently inflated their prices substantially it would be seen as a clear violation of international competition law. How come we do not have similar competition regulations for artwork as we have with almost all other products nowadays? I know what you might be thinking… government legislation and regulation for the art market?? This girl must be crazy, what is she talking about? You might be however ignoring how influential the art world is to our everyday lives. The course of art has the power to change the way we see the world and influence our ideas and values. Art directly or indirectly affects the fundamental sense of self. Just look at how art changes in times of war, pandemic, or even economic cycles. Art is a reflection of societal morale and perspective. If you ask me, transparency and fairness in the art world is a big deal. Melissa Gronlund wrote an article about this lack of critical discourse. She mentioned in the article how the art world has given her the cold shoulder, while persistently expressing the issues in the art world, particularly in the UAE. She highlighted the disconnect between art and people and explained how unclear the operation of art in the gallery is. She makes readers understand that we also need stories, information, and history to fully understand the piece. She completes her article by emphasizing how important it is to normalize critical culture and accept critiques, especially for non-artists and customers since it would create a space to give us our own opinions and voice. Theoretically, we can value things like a particular artwork, an artist, or a movie. Though rarely do we have a say when it comes to worldwide recognition. These closed-off groups do not only choose what art is valuable, but also which we favour. It is impossible for a person to go into an art gallery and decide the price of a work. This gets me thinking if we have any say in something’s value. Or do we just value things that others do? Is there any critical thinking involved at all? And if we all value things differently and have our own preferences, is it even possible to put a price on them? Do you guys watch the Academy Awards? I personally enjoy the movie world quite a lot, so my nosiness always leads me to find out who won the Oscar and who didn’t. I think this industry in some way parallels the art industry. It was interesting when Denzel Washington during his acceptance speech cracked a joke about how he was invited to a Hollywood press luncheon with people from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (which decides who wins the Oscar), took some pictures, ate a good meal and then surprisingly (or not) won an Oscar. Not only the fact that this joke (or not) may confirm the fact that these indirect gifts may win you a vote but the fact that a group of ‘professionals’ decide for all of us which movie or actor/actress was the best. Again, is this another industry that lacks objective and critical evaluation? The art industry is very questionable. It is not based on criteria or people’s opinions but on nepotistic connections and wealth. The common populous does not really know or even care who decides the value or rules the industry, we are made to think that there are ‘experts’ that really know which art piece is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Consequently, everyone who does not fit into these ‘elitist’ frames is struggling to gain recognition in the industry. No praise is put upon artistic merit which can be accurately measured by the general populous if all art is put on display for everyone to see. Unbiased critique has been completely thrown out the window in today's market for art with artists, part-time art enthusiasts, and media alike highlighting its nonsensical nature. Moving forward, we must be aware of all controversial dealings in the art world and call them out. Ironically, as art became marketable and professions started to arise from within it in medieval times, an artist would attain recognition and wealth from the quality of his brushstrokes and overall portrayal of reality. Nowadays we have learnt this is no longer the case.

Discussion About Prejudice and Discrimination It is difficult for members of all minority groups to start a career in today’s labor force; however, the most commonly marginalized are the Romani in the whole of Europe. All of us can make guesses of some stereotypes of why this might be the case. But truly, do we know why we have these prejudices? All rationing, argument, and theory regarding the preconceptions towards Romani individuals (and all minorities) go against the idea that all men are created equal and have freedom and rights. But then, what causes this dysmorphia of sociology? What created this inevitable bias in our society? Is it only a local problem of individual countries, or is it a pressing global issue? Let's try to find the problems and solutions and discover the topic of preconceptions of minority individuals focusing on Gypsy people in the labor force. Dall-E A Small History and Culture of Romani People The history and origin of the Gypsies are a ground of debate among historians and scholars. However, it is commonly accepted that the group migrated from the Northern part of India and entered Europe through Persia around the late 14th century. Romani faced discrimination instantly, as their lifestyle did not meet the standards of medieval Europe. The colorful caravan mode of life and the distinct music and language made it difficult for them to assimilate into the mother country's culture. Even though in some parts of the world with aggressive laws, authorities managed to make Gypsies settle down, even today in most of Europe, they are still melting into other cultures. At the beginning of the 20th century, in most countries, the Romani population started its integration into the home states. However, the slight advance did not survive in the presence of World War II. During the Nazi regime, Gypsy, just like Jews, were sent to labor camps and were also massacred. The aftermath of the two wars led to a severely discriminated Romani population, who today are completely marginalized and are not integrated into society. Moreover, the attitude of Gypsy people changed towards not wanting to assimilate to the home country. The rise of socialism in Eastern Europe, controlled by the Soviet Union, decreased the degree of preconceptions for a time, as Gypsy workers were pushed to be integrated into society. However, the change of regimes and the suspension of mining have led to job losses, particularly in the less developed parts of countries. The phenomenon led to an even higher natural segregation from the mother country’s population. John Moore Museum This small history, although lacking important steps, can show how we got to today’s point, where the situation might be worse than ever. Authorities today do little to deal with the situation, and what it causes is a heated relationship between the country’s Gypsy and non-Gypsy citizens. But what are the challenges and reasons facing young Romani individuals trying to enter the workforce? Discrimination and Stereotyping Using the word preconception and prejudice is usually strong and exaggerates the situation; however, in the case of the Romani population, it is certainly not. It is important to note that in this article, I am not going to write about the situation of Gypsies at full working age but rather about young people entering the labor market. It is fairly common that Gypsy people, regardless of their education or background, have a worse chance of getting the same position as anyone else. Why? If you are from Eastern Europe, you know why. The environment that we grew up in teaches us that Romani people are lazy and are worth nothing in white-collar positions, leading to the phenomenon of natural hatred towards them.  To be perfectly frank, even I, who is writing this article, cannot be completely free from short periods of preconception. Of course, it is not without reason why discrimination is present; however, to my sincere belief and hope, young people from all cultures are similarly talented, and this is what causes the great problem. The main point is that young Gypsies are discriminated against because of someone else’s mistakes and sins, which leads to social exclusion and a never-ending routine of hate.  For instance, state-level policies only make these scenarios more present. In most Eastern European countries, underage marriages are allowed, which leads to teens starting families even before finishing secondary education. Education and Residency It is common in all European countries that the majority of the Romani population lives in parts that are economically underdeveloped and are also breakaway areas. In these parts, education and job opportunities are poorer, and these are the reasons why a big share of Gypsy youngsters tend to leave school for manual labor. While some organizations try to deal with the problems of education, state-controlled schools still give worse opportunities than in other parts of the country. Why do I talk as if it was one country? It is because, in the whole region, the situation is fairly similar, and the playbook is often the same. While the problems arising are complicated, the situation is fairly simple and can be described in a few never-ending steps. Worse background, poor education, early school leaving/not getting the same opportunities, stuck in the region, worse pay/unemployment, and the circle continues with a new generation. This trap only strengthens the stereotypes, leading to an even harder environment for the new population.  Schools are not motivated to make Roma students attend classes, as they receive the same funding regardless of whether Gypsy kids attend school or not. These kids are simply in a system with very few controls over their education from authorities. HVG.hu Healthcare Access As can be derived from the previous section, healthcare opportunities for Romani youngsters are not the same as in other regions of the country. Hospitals and the overall state of healthcare tend to be worse in areas where most Gypsies live, leading to health disparities and earlier problems with age-related sickness. This also hinders the opportunities for breaking into intellectual careers, as having to stay at home and help aging relatives is a common withholding factor of the young Gypsy workforce. Moreover, there is a common distrust of medical personnel in these areas. Roma people receive discrimination from doctors and nurses, leading to a lower number of Gypsy patients in hospitals. Global focus It is important to view the issue of Gypsy living standards globally, or at least on a European level, as the flow of the workforce is almost entirely free. Therefore, these problems not only remain local but spread out to be cross-border issues, which need to be dealt with through international policies. However, this tends not to be the case, and countries are left alone in a problem that is almost universally distributed in all parts of Europe, or at least the Eastern side of it. P oliticians struggle to bring country-level policies and solutions for the issue; however, slight glimpses of effort might just be present. While economic growth brings a natural improvement in education, healthcare, and social help, and it leads to an obvious increase in living standards, the gaps between minorities and the main population of the home country do not significantly change. It is, therefore, important to focus on marginalized groups alone, and in some of the following countries, this might just be the case. Researchgate Spain The Iberian country has launched a National Roma Integration Strategy 2012-2020 program, which aims to lessen the disparities in Spanish society. The Mediterranean country has one of the highest Gypsy societies, which leads to a high need for social focus. The targets of the strategy are in the fields of education, employment, and healthcare. According to the plan, the number of Roma girls and boys attending compulsory primary education will be pushed up to 99%, and the share of Gypsies in non-compulsory adult education (universities, adult training) will be raised to 8%. The second number might not seem that high. However, the previous data only showed a 2.6% share. Furthermore, the plan aims to increase the employment rate from 43.8% to 60%. The strategy also includes an improvement in qualified professionals in white-collar positions. Besides employment aspirations, Spanish authorities aim to improve health standards for Roma citizens. While this might be abstract, reducing the share of smokers and victims of car accidents is a good measure of the state of health. Roma population has already been fairly accepted in Spain and did not face as high of social exclusion as in other countries. With the plan being successful, Gypsy youngsters will have a huge opportunity in hand, leading to higher integration into society and overall higher living standards. Czech Republic In Central European countries, there are bigger problems than in the previous case for Spain. Acceptance of the Gypsy population is utterly low, leading to a higher need for policy instruments combating this high degree of discrimination. The launch of an aggressive strategy with a timeline of 2021-2030 aims for a higher level of Gypsy integration by improving education, healthcare, and employment standards. With goals similar to those of Spain, the republic can achieve a remarkable and significant advantage in Romani acceptance in the region. Not only is it beneficial for the Gypsy population, but for economic activity. With Portugal, Finland, Sweden, and Norway on the list, a high degree of European countries are trying to combat the social exclusion of Romas. Improving in this sense will not only create a better idea about the issue but will significantly increase opportunities for Romas. Using similar frameworks as described before, social disparities might come down to a level that can be sustainable for the future of European society. However, other parts of the continent are not these forward in the situation of Romas and try to be sensitive to the issue. Politicians and policymakers tend not to touch or even talk about the situation, most likely out of fear of losing popularity or the votes from either side.  The vicious concepts of populism and popularity votes have their pledges on the situation of Romas as well as on any other pressing issue. Moreover, Romas tend to live in areas where the majority of individuals are uneducated, and in Eastern European countries, it is heavily used by politicians. By the abuse of power, with subsidies right before elections or food tickets, they basically buy these undecided or passive votes. But why are we not able to deal with it? Why are we so reluctant to favor the obvious needs both on a political scale and on the level of ordinary minds? I hope I’m wrong. However, it might seem that human nature is just too selfish and abundant to figure out a proper solution, and we are more prepared to blame others who may or may not be at fault. Political Scale Why are politicians afraid of making a proper move on the issue? As I mentioned before, some countries are more advanced than others; however, they are merely outliers in a population that represents the majority of the globe. The cause might just be the never-ending 4 or 5 or 8 years. Why is that? In countries where politicians can run for office infinitely many times, the process of law-making is much more cautious. Popularity is key in these systems, and that is what creates the concept of stagnation in pressing social policies. The fear of losing the votes of Roma creates a dead water in government actions. However, if a politician can only hold office for a limited period of time, they will not care if they seem popular towards the end or not. But why would they lose votes from the Gypsy population when they only intend to help their situation? Positive change is beautiful in the long run, but it is a beast in the short term. Longer compulsory education for Roma teens, a lower amount of child subsidy, and a decrease in unemployment benefits would certainly help in the long run; however, in short, it would make the lives of Roma almost unbearable. This can cause a change in political systems, which no populist ever wanted. It is, therefore, much more rewarding to make policies that seem nice from the outside, but in reality, it does not help anyone. This phenomenon creates a standing position in  the Roma integration issue. Solution? To be frank, it has always been in front of our eyes and has been in discussion for quite some time in maybe all countries. Term limit. One can argue about the pros and cons of the concept in other issues; however, in this case, it might just be the only or most suitable solution. Social Scale We often get too comfortable and blame politicians for every malfunction in our countries. However, after all, who is it that elects the new members of parliament from time to time? Exactly in this manner, politicians reflect the needs of society, and there will never be a change if the population in general does not respond to the issue brought about earlier. As I mentioned before, there is no person in this world that is free of any prejudice. In the case of Roma, the biggest argument of common society is that the Gypsy population is unwilling to let some of their cultural treasures go. I'm positive there is at least one saying in every European country that states, "If they don't want to integrate, why should we help them? “Pushing the responsibility to others, just in order to release the pressure that is coming towards us. Moreover, there is the phenomenon of people being hateful towards Roma without any reason, just because it is trendy or funny or they heard that someone heard from someone that again heard from someone that they were hurt by a Gypsy individual. This general opinion about the Roma population will not help anyone and will make us stay in this undecided situation full of hatred and tension. The Roma Population Of course, the minority of the topic cannot go without blame either. Some of the prejudice from others is confirmed by the actions of individuals of those very members. Contrary to a general statistics lecture, in this case, the wrongdoings of a small sample do reflect the whole population. It is generally accepted in the Roma population that almost all sins, except for murder, can be forgiven; therefore, Gypsy people tend to deal with these situations inside their circle, trying to avoid giving the person out to authorities. This sequence is a reassuring circle in which some criminals tend to stay in circulation and will continue to poison the reputation of Roma. This causes a false role-model picture in the eyes of Roma kids, leading to the never-ending phenomenon of a sadly high number of young criminals of the Gypsy population. The Ending Picture Where are we on the issue, really? At the end – nowhere. While some countries fight for a solution, generally, no breakthrough happens, making the lives of young Romas miserable. For them, entering the workforce is just naturally more difficult than their fellow graduates. They face discrimination, without having a way to fight against it, having them slowly or sometimes swiftly falling behind life. Solutions? They are all difficult, and the whole of society needs them. Impossible? Almost. But let us remember some of the great changes in history that were brought about by the public, from the bottom of lower/working classes, over-stepping the vicious and sometimes incapable circle of politics. Most importantly, at the end of the day, we have to remember that all groups of race or culture live together regardless of whether we love it or hate it . We might just help the situation, right? We, as a society, need to be more willing to adjust to the challenges of life and need to have the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt in mind: 'Remember, always remember, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists’.

Unmasking the Consequences of Toxic Masculinity Coming From Today’s Political Floor We are slowly arriving at the end of 2023. What was the biggest hit this year? "Barbenheimer," of course. And what is the common point of the two movies? Probably the strength of the gender characteristics of the lead actors. Cillian Murphy, as Oppenheimer, plays a rather toxic man with immense masculinity, and, on the other side, Margot Robbie, as Barbie, symbolises everything that is wrong with a paternalistic system. The difference has made me think. What is the most significant aspect that separates the two narratives? And what causes it? Of course, toxic masculinity, with the effect of politics. Toxic masculinity is a severe issue, which as a concept has been overused for the wrong reasons in the past couple of years. Since 2016, it has been a hot topic in the media and scientific literature; however, after some false appearances in the news, the common knowledge about it is insignificant and mostly prejudicial. And what is behind all this? Of course, politics. As everything structural and deep-rooted into systematic issues, toxic masculinity is also fueled by the political discourse. The lack of attention and even harmful wrongdoings of politicians lead to a system that causes mental issues in the lives of young boys and men. But how? And what are the consequences? Let's see, shall we? What Is Toxic Masculinity? The term has numerous definitions, both academically and socially. As toxic masculinity, the concept has been used since the middle of the 1980s, first by Shepherd Bliss, the leader of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement, which was a body of self-help for men, lost in the 'poisonous new-age men' system. The mythopoetic movement followed treatments and activities that would connect members with their inner "wild man", mostly using Jungian psychology. This whole situation seems strange, right? Nowadays, we mention toxic masculinity when men try to reconnect with their wildness, and not as a solution for the problem. That is right. Back in the '80s, the mythopoetic group tried to walk away from a system that they called the new age, which basically meant that men were only viewed as objects contributing to the economy and family finances. Mr. Bliss's group called out the concept of lost brotherhood between modern men. So, what did they mean by toxic masculinity? They figured that the masculinity that was expected in the workplace, the constant competition in society, militaristic men, and in the bedroom, satisfying women and losing friendships with other males is poisonous and leads to a male society that has lost its inner values. But what do WE mean by toxic masculinity today? Today, academia, news, and the public talk about toxic masculinity, when they blame something like the mythopoetic movement was. The oversexualization of genders and the inner wild-man concept is nowadays viewed as the main problem of the younger society of men. With critical concepts of suppressing emissions and dominance, young boys receive a false image of a paternalistic world, which passed by long ago. All in all, toxic masculinity is the environment in which boys have to grow up nowadays, and not even taking extremities into account, it can destroy the life of a young man, leading to unhealthy relationships and family life. How did it emerge? What are the causes and main drivers? Toxic masculinity has many different faces; therefore, there cannot be one cause for all kinds of it. In this article, I view the concept as a systematic problem and not independent, which means that in this section, I will try to find the causes of "aggregate" toxic masculinity in our society. The whole phenomenon is a reaction to the growing equality between genders and the idea of wokeness. It is typically driven by under-educated fathers and public figures; however, as a systematic problem, it has stayed quiet for an extended period of time. When did it start, then? Toxic masculinity emerged with the stream of other social debates that shook the previous "norm". So, the answer is around 2016. That is, when politics, mainly in the US, took the concept, formed it a bit, and then built it into the campaign mechanism. Therefore, toxic masculinity is the reaction to all the liberal movements, like equal rights and BLM, for example. Dall-E But who is to blame in this situation? Neoliberal politicians? Right-wingers? Public speakers? All of them. One person did not create the problem, say Donald Trump or Piers Morgan; it emerged rather by a combination of all these players. We are shortly going to go through some of the people; however, it is essential to note that the concept is a problem brought about by the whole of society. Donald Trump and his effect on toxic masculinity During his presidency and campaigning period, his rhetoric was highly dependent on calling out his masculinity as an attribute, implying that he was fit for office and to lead the biggest economy in the world. In his campaigning agenda he used the term 'compromise is a sign of weakness', which later on he tried to follow in his presidency. By stepping up and blaming society for "limiting" him just because he is a man, he broadcasted the view that in our world, men have no power anymore, and being a man is actually a disadvantage. Later, during his presidency, he continued singling out his political opponents as weak and, therefore, untrustworthy men. Even when his VP Mike Pence did not help him overturn the election results of 2020, according to New York Times, he said, "You can either go down in history as a patriot, or you can go down in history as a pussy". With this statement, he clearly attacked the masculinity of his political ally. Time How did his presidential communication affect our world and the US population? Research by Pennsylvania State University Professor Theresa Vescio shows that Trump's presidency turned hegemonic masculinity not only into an ideal but into an aspect that our culture values. People who value the traits of toxic masculinity tend to be more in favour of the GOP than the Democrats in the considerable political debate. This leads to the phenomenon where male voters can easily be motivated simply by mentioning the "fading away" of true masculinity. Other Politicians in the US Even if Donald Trump does not get elected in 2024, he has transformed the Republican Party into his own image. This caused that other politicians of the GOP have also emphasised the need to bring back true male values; for instance, Texas senator Ted Cruz tweeted the infamous line "many leftist guys never grow balls." The toxic masculinity of the American right-wing comes into life in the form of light homophobia and distrust in liberalist policies. Furthermore, a bit of fun. Even though he cannot truly be called a politician, he has tried to run for office in the US. Moreover, he has a considerable influence on young males. And criticising him will put me into the crossfire of many readers. Who am I talking about? Of course, the one and only Kanye West. The famous rapper, who entered the presidential race in 2020, is well-known for speaking openly about his opinion. What is in his soul is in his mouth, and he could not stop at some extremely toxic tweets about masculinity in our generation. Kanye West can be called a modern-day Picasso, and this might not be a compliment. He is a musical and lyrical genius, however his behavior as a civilian is, unfortunately, not something that should be tolerated. Why is that such a big problem? He is a rapper, after all. That might be true if we did not live in a world of social media, where people like him have a bigger influence on young minds than anybody else, including friends, parents, and a close environment. Hypebae Public Figures Lastly, it is important to mention Tucker Carlson and Piers Morgan. Both broadcasters have a tendency to openly criticise the man of today. Their role in the problem is more significant than one would imagine. Given the fact that they appear in news programs, they should be objective and not share their personal opinion with the world. However, they both do the contrary, which is harmful, as the majority of viewers still believe that they might have an independent opinion, which, if they share, can only be the truth. This has gone so far that Piers Morgan has made a public appearance around the newest Gilette campaign that was introduced this year. The new marketing catch of the company treats toxic masculinity as unacceptable and emphasises the normalisation of men's mental health treatments. Piers Morgan did not like this concept, and he commented that the new ad is the end of manhood. What does toxic masculinity cause? Now that we have touched upon some of the factors that lead to the phenomenon, we ought to discuss what the problem with systematic toxic masculinity is. Emotional Suppression Men are typically told that showing emotions is a sign of weakness and cowardice. With the exception of fury, toxic masculinity typically prevents men from expressing a wide range of emotions. As a result of emotional suppression, men may struggle to cope with their feelings or seek help when needed. In the extreme, this leads to anger issues and problems with conflict management, which can, in some cases, lead to domestic violence or just violence in general. This, moreover, damages emotional connections, which makes creating relationships, especially with women, extremely difficult. Men may feel compelled to avoid sensitivity, making building genuine and supportive relationships difficult. And this phenomenon can be called a trap-22. The more difficulties men experience in romantic relationships, the more they shift away from the solution, which increases anger and loosens the probability of making deep connections. Traditional Gender Roles As the whole idea of toxic masculinity arose from the alleged suppression of males in society, men who have been poisoned with the idea tend to urge traditional gender roles. The concept of the breadwinner and the wife with a big family can be attractive for these males. Apart from the apparent disparity, the biggest issue with this is that boys who look up to this example tend to follow in their footsteps, creating a generational problem. Homophobia The stigmatisation of actions or traits viewed as "unmanly" or outside of conventional gender norms can be facilitated by toxic masculinity. This may result in prejudice towards people—including the LGBTQ+ community—who do not fit these stereotypes. Unfortunately, this also creates a generational loop that does not bring our society forward. HolyRood A Small Outlook to the Other Side of the Road Toxic masculinity is unquestionably a big problem. However, it has frequently been implemented incorrectly. The far-leftist course generated an ugly perspective of the situation by, for instance, criticising Emmanuel Macron for consuming a bottle of beer in 7 seconds. By pushing it to the extremes, they kill any debate and, with it, every potential solution to the problem. That is why toxic masculinity has become one of those things that are too delicate to discuss, and we simply ignore it. While millions of boys are affected by the concept, we prefer to focus on who is to blame rather than on a feasible solution. This is fairly common in our society. Is toxic masculinity an incurable disease of our generation? The entire premise and therapies are unhelpful. People recommend therapists, but then guys are labelled as soft, and if they don't seek help, they may continue to suffer from societal pressure. It is an enormously intricate issue that will never be resolved if the elite do not adjust their communication practices to the highest level. Calling out masculinity in such a sensitive context as now is risky and can have profound implications. But, most importantly, I would urge that the saying "boys will be boys" be abandoned.

source: POLITICO Hundreds of thousands of Spanish citizens are protesting in the streets to fight against a strategic deal between the former and newly elected Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the Catalonian Independentist Party, Junts per Catalunya. Catalonia, one of Spain's wealthiest regions, famous for its summer destination capital, Barcelona, and its independent spirit, has been the face of many Spanish political debates.  The crisis of its independence escalated in 2017 when pro-independence president Carles Puigdemont held a referendum to separate Catalonia from Spain. The organisers announced that 92% of voters supported the independence; however, the participation rate of eligible voters was only 43%. The leaders still declared the independence of Catalonia. Nonetheless, the Spanish Constitutional Court deemed this referendum illegal as it went against the 1978 Constitution, highlighting the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation." As a result, many pro-independentists faced heavy convictions. The former Catalan president self-exiled to Belgium as he faced charges of rebellion and sedition. Carles Puidgemeont now has a pathway to return to Spain after making a deal with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. But how does Mr Sanchez, who expressed his "personal and political convictions" against the amnesty law for independence in July of this same year, justify it now, only a few months after? The Buildup and Aftermath: The amnesty agreement between Mr Puigdemont and Pedro Sanchez was made public after the 2023 national elections. These elections were held early on July 2023, months before the intended date. This was due to a considerable loss in regional and local elections by the Prime Minister's Party PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party), which was falling behind the centre-right Popular Party (PP) in major cities. However, these "chaotic elections" were held during the hot Spanish summer, when many people were on vacation. While citizens could vote by mail, there were scandals involving supposed fraud in the mail system. Surprisingly, however, the participation rate was higher this year compared to the last 2019 elections, with an increase of 4.17 percentage points from around 66% to 70%. The Spanish parliamentary system requires a minimum of 176 seats out of 350 in the Congress of Deputies for a party to win the national elections. A way of obtaining these 176 seats is by forming a coalition government with other parties. The leader of the party or coalition that has the majority in the Congress becomes the Prime Minister. However, the 2023 elections had no clear winner, with PP as leader (33.05%) and PSOE right behind (31.70%). These results led to a parliamentary deadlock as the PP’s attempted coalitions were insufficient to win enough seats since, to form a majority, they needed the support of regional and independent parties, all of which are against VOX, the far-right party, PP's primary partner. PSOE had the same challenge and, despite making agreements with five other parties, fell short of forming a government. To avoid repeating the elections, PSOE sought a deal with the Catalan nationalist party led by Mr Puigdemont, Junts. With the seven votes from Junts, PSOE successfully achieved a majority coalition, and Pedro Sanchez was then re-elected as Prime Minister on November 16. The Challenges: The coalition with Junts did not come that easily, as Junt's priority is Cataluna's independence. Therefore, Pedro Sanchez made deals to win over Junts in the elections and is now doing negotiations to guarantee their continuous support in Parliament. However, this has not been a smooth process. A pivotal deal to this alliance was the proposed amnesty law, which sparked protests in  Spain. This government's act of forgiveness will liberate many separatists who were convicted for their pro-independence activities (deemed unconstitutional) between January 2012 and November 2023. This law will also free Mr Puigdemont, leader of the Junts party, from his self-exile. On another note, it does not cover crimes resulting in death and torture. Other demands from Junts to the new government are to relieve debts of 15 million euros from Catalonia to Spain, give it more autonomous control, keep more tax revenues and initiate discussion for a new referendum. However, this amnesty law has yet to be passed through Congress and will still need to be passed by the Senate, where the Popular Party has a majority; thus, enforcing the law will be challenging. In addition, once implemented, PP has announced that they will take the law to the Constitutional Court, which could potentially suspend it if proven unconstitutional. Finally, Sanchez will be running a minority government, and the votes of Junts will be crucial for all future legislation. They will undoubtedly use their parliamentary weight to push towards an independence referendum in Cataluna. Thus, there have been debates about whether this new minority government will last the four-year term due to its unstable alliances and conflicting priorities. Two Opposed Visions: Spain's new amnesty law is sharply splitting the public's opinion; On the one hand, Pedro Sanchez and his party justify this deal by highlighting that this will de-escalate the political situation and help resolve a conflict that has been going on for decades and dividing the country. Besides, it is not Spain's first amnesty law; in 1977, politicians agreed to move forward from the Franco dictatorship and made a "Pact of Forgetting", which allowed political prisoners and all those who committed crimes not to be prosecuted. This law was part of a broad move to transition from a dictatorship to a democracy. It was generally accepted as a necessary step for national reconciliation and moving forward in post-dictatorial Spain. However, in 2012, the United Nations strongly opposed this 1977 amnesty law as it was seen to obstruct the investigation and prosecution of crimes against humanity committed during Franco's regime. On the other hand, some see Prime Minister Sanchez as a traitor to the constitution and unity of Spain. Around 60% of Spanish people say that the amnesty law is unjust as it is perceived as a strategic move for Pedro Sanchez to win the elections due to the high chances of losing if elections are held again. It is hard for this segment to perceive the change in the law as a true act of pardon, as it has only come up for the need to get seven more seats to form a government. Additionally, people who voted for the PSOE feel betrayed by Pedro Sanchez, who is contradicting his past statements against an amnesty law for the independentists. Conclusion: The complexity of this political scenario raises several considerations; Does this law align with constitutional principles, as it allows political decisions to influence judicial outcomes? Ultimately, it implies that political agreement may override legal rulings and sanctions.  Then again, might this resolve a political situation strongly debated for decades? Could this new law potentially challenge the ability of Catalan politicians to convey a dark image of Spain, especially if they are part of the government? Moreover, is there a constitutional basis for the 2023 law in the amnesty law of 1977, even though the two contexts are entirely different? Or can this amnesty law backlash in the future and set precedents for future political negotiations impacting legal decisions? If the amnesty law is enacted, it could position Spain at a crossroads between legality and political strategy, potentially advancing Catalonia one step closer to its independence. That said, only time will tell what consequences this law will truly have.

When you think of copies labelled “made in China”, usually what comes to mind are low-quality knockoffs and outrageously hilarious “Galvin Klein” underwear. In the 21st century, the Chinese art of mimicry has extended beyond consumer goods and seeped into projects more ambitious in size: cities. The absurdity of walking through the Chinese countryside and ending up in a faux Alpine town is a curious phenomenon intertwined with the country’s complicated past and political views. Enter duplitectures, what they are, how they came to be, and why I personally find them problematic. A Copy of the Austrian Town Hallstatt in Louyang. Source: Thomas Kramesberger. Duplitectures: The Comprehensive Definition "Duplitecture" is the term coined by author Bianca Bosker to describe copycats of foreign buildings in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Unlike scaled-down replicas typically found in amusement parks, duplitectures serve a functional everyday purpose, as they stem from residential development plans idealised between the years 2001 and 2020. Bosker pointed out that China has a tradition of imitation which dates to the third century BC, when Emperor Qin Shi Huang would celebrate defeating enemies by building copies of their palaces. However, the pioneer project which sparked the new millennium's duplitecture trend is undoubtedly the One City Nine Towns plan. In 2001, Shanghai's population had doubled since the '80s, reaching past 13 million inhabitants. To relieve overcrowding, and in concordance with the Communist Party of China's (CPC) directive for small towns' urbanisation emanated a year prior, Shanghai City Government planned the construction of nine very bizarre satellite towns, out of which seven were themed after Western countries. For example, Gaoqiao Holland Village was designed by architecture studios based in Almere and Rotterdam. If you ever felt the need to see Qing Dynasty houses and the Dutch National Maritime Museum on the same day – now you know where to go. Gaoqiao Holland Village. Source: Euronews Travel. While architectural mimicries exist to an extent worldwide, the peculiarities of Chinese ones are that they can be extensive in size, and some of them engulf entire districts. Furthermore, they are not constructed in areas with an already established ethnic community's presence, such as, for example, the He Hua Temple in Amsterdam’s Chinatown. Rather, developers hoped to attract residents and businesses, both local and foreign, through duplitectures. Their expectations were let down when cities such as Tianducheng Sky City – the (infamous) replica of Paris sporting its own Eiffel Tower and boulevards – remained underpopulated through the first decade after their construction. Tianducheng has since recovered and is nowadays housing three times the citizens it was originally designed for. Yet, many other projects are still in their "ghost town" era; commenters attribute disinterest towards them to the relatively high prices for apartments and their isolated locations in the countryside. A View of Tianducheng. Source: Imaginechina/REX/Shutterstock. Besides providing living and commercial spaces, duplitectures were supposed to further incentivise domestic tourism, targeting those Chinese citizens who are not able to travel internationally for economic and practical reasons. As of 2023, holders of PRC passports can travel visa-free to 46 destinations, in comparison holders of Dutch passports to 158. After an initial influx generated by novelty, cultural tourism has reportedly declined, while wedding and decay tourism (travelling to places with a reputation of being occult or abandoned) remain popular. Newlyweds Taking Pictures in English-Inspired Thames Town, Shanghai. Source: Daniel Berehulak. Their failures, however, were not the main reason for stopping developers from continuing to build duplitectures. On the 27th of April 2020, the CPC outlawed plagiarism of existing buildings as part of a broader directive against "weird" architectures. The ban was imposed after an estimated 1,600, mostly European-looking, duplitectures since One City Nine Towns were constructed. President Xi Jinping, who had already criticised the "xenocentrism" of these projects back in 2014, has encouraged a return towards Chinese traditional values and the embodiment of them in all forms of art, including architecture. As the country is entering a new phase of isolationism, experts consider this direction as an implicit message: China has surpassed the West and shall not look up to it anymore. Architectural Journey to the West: The Historical Insight The question that remains is: why specifically copy Western and European architecture in the first place? To answer this, we must delve into Chinese history and international relationships. We start in 1842 when China's defeat in the First Opium War marked the beginning of the Century of Humiliation. Once a prosperous empire, China's isolation policies under the Qing Dynasty in the 1800s had halted its industrial development and had allowed what was later named the Eight-Nation Alliance (composed of Germany, Russia, UK, France, USA, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Japan) to perpetually declare wars and invade the country. The conflicts resulted in extremely penalising treaties for China in the form of large monetary compensations and territory losses, as well as sovereignty concessions to foreign powers. Concessions were rich foreign settlements in politically Chinese cities where Chinese people were treated as "second-class" citizens: many of them, such as the French Concession in Shanghai, had European architectures that locals had limited to no access to. The last concession was dismantled only in 1945, and, four years later, China became a communist country. Former Garde Municipale Headquarters, Shanghai French Concession. Source: Fayhoo, CC BY-SA 3.0. Fast forward to 1978, where for the past decade, Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution had brought a new wave of national isolationism (similar to the situation in nowadays North Korea) and had attempted to destroy pre-communism culture. When Deng Xiaoping succeeded Mao Zedong, the unsustainability of the Cultural Revolution came to light, and he introduced the Economic Reform and Opening-Up policies. The policies, among other things, started "reintroducing" Chinese citizens to the world. Lacking better sources to deeply report on the experiences at that time, I am recounting the first-hand experiences of my mother: "Once China opened up, we [Chinese people], who have always been told that China was the best, strongest, and most advanced country in the world, saw the truth. Many young people from the city at that point wanted to travel abroad, but could not afford it. Because, at the time, Western countries were richer and more developed than China, what was Western must have been better to some. There are still people who think that, when my Chinese friends buy bags, they want European ones, not Chinese ones". Reminiscences of both the Century of Humiliation and the immediate post-Maoism period might explain the Chinese taste for European architecture, albeit in different stances. On one hand, duplitectures stem from a sense of revenge on the countries that mistreated China in the past through appropriating their cultural heritages and owning them on its own terms (as concessions were forced upon China), as Bosker theorised. On the other hand, duplitectures emphasise appreciation for what is considered on par or even superior to the Chinese architectural style. While cultural appreciation towards others is generally a positive trait, particularly in a country subjugated to nationalistic propaganda such as the PRC, when it comes to replicas, I suggest it might underline self-demeaning sentiments. Sense of shame inherited by Confucianism philosophy is deeply rooted in Chinese society, and the realisation of the PRC’s real development condition in the 1980s may have caused internalised shame towards the country that some individuals still carry, leading them to put Europe on a type of pedestal. Architecture-wise, communist block buildings had at that point substituted traditional dynastic houses –many of which were purposely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution– as the most common type of building in China. Considering those buildings’ aesthetic, it is not difficult to imagine why these people might not find them as appealing as what they imagine all buildings in European cities look like. Example of Communist Buildings in Beijing, circa 1974. Source: BIAD. Closing the Duplitecture Chapter: The Author's Opinion I aim to conclude this article with personal reflections, given I am ethnically mixed with cultural ties to both China and Italy (the latter conveniently representing Europe at large in this context). As a child, I remember visiting my mother’s hometown Dalian and staring perplexed at a replica of Venice, completed with gondolas and canals. I asked myself why they had St Mark’s Bell Tower but no Chinese-looking buildings in the city. Dalian’s "Venice” does not, in my opinion, do justice to the Italian heritage. The replica city is merely a copy which lacks any of the charm of the original, and is quite ill-fitted to its surroundings. My concern is with how it was devised as a representation of Italy itself and thus marketed as a substitute for travelling and living abroad. This is frustrating, especially considering the poorly crafted representation. Duplitectures, by appearing cheap, directly feed into the prevailing narrative that dismisses everything from China as unoriginal and of little value, even if designed by European architects. This is particularly concerning, given how the substantial disparity between European perception of China and Chinese perception of Europe already places China at a disadvantage. The only aspect for which I am willing to credit Xi Jinping is his correct assertion that China does not need to adopt foreign cultures, considering its rich millennia-old history. I would particularly – and much– appreciate witnessing the restoration or modern reinterpretation of traditional Chinese architecture, especially in Dalian, where Japanese colonisation has already sought to erase its Chinese identity. Overall, I appreciate the ceasing of the duplitectures-phenomenon. Still, the appreciation is bittersweet, as the PRC spiralling, once again, into conservatism and isolationism is something I cannot be at peace with. Ultimately, China does not have to pretend other cultures do not exist to validate its own. Oriental Venice Water City in Dalian. Source: Graeme Noble.

In March of the year 2022, amidst a 7.9% year-over-year surge in prices as per the consumer price index, the Federal Reserve enacted an increase of 25 basis points in the federal funds rate. This marked the first increase in the federal funds rate since December 2018. Subsequently, interest rates have risen by a significant 525 basis points to a range of between 5.25% to 5.5%. A lot has changed since March 2022. Notably, the headline CPI has receded to 3.2% year over year, while the U.S. economy has demonstrated a surprising degree of resilience. This favorable trajectory has instilled confidence in many regarding the Federal Reserve's potential to engineer a soft landing, defined as bringing inflation back to the two percent target without causing a recession. The recent trajectory of economic data supports this soft landing narrative, fostering substantial optimism within the equity and bond markets. Yet, amidst this buoyant sentiment, the key question is: What is the likelihood that the Federal Reserve can effectively bring inflation to the designated two percent target without causing a recession? Positive Sentiment on the Equity Market During the month of November, the S&P 500 experienced a notable increase of 8.2% as of the close on November 21st. This has happened merely six times since 1928. Moreover, the Relative Strength Index, functioning as a pivotal momentum indicator for the S&P 500, underwent a substantial increase. It rose from a reading of 30 at the end of October, signifying oversold conditions, to its present reading nearing 70, a clear indication of overbought levels. Chart from Bloomberg During the course of the year 2023, a strong correlation has been observed between the fluctuations in the 10-year treasury yield and the performance of several key U.S. stock market indices. Recent weeks have witnessed a notable decline in the 10-year treasury yield, an occurrence that has boosted the overall performance of these U.S. stock market indices. In recent weeks, a notable surge in equity prices has been attributed to a singular factor: the sustained optimism caused by economic data. This data consistently reinforces the belief that the Federal Reserve possesses the potential to restore price stability without causing a recession. Put differently, the prevailing economic data consistently reinforces and aligns with the narrative of a potential soft landing, causing increased market confidence and subsequent rises in equity prices. October Jobs Report and Other Labor Market Data The pace of job gains nearly halved in October to 150,000 and the unemployment rate increased to 3.9%. percent. Average weekly hours fell to 34.3, which is a sign of cooling employer demand. Additionally, wage growth has come down from close to 6% at the beginning of 2022 to 4.1% in October. Larry Summers, the former U.S. treasury secretary, said to Bloomberg recently “You cannot get inflation down without getting wage inflation down”. A slowdown in wage growth is considered to be required to bring inflation back to the Fed’s two percent target. Additionally, the number of continuing U.S. jobless claims recently rose to 1,865,000, which is almost a two-year high, and initial jobless claims are also posting an upward trend. Chart from Bloomberg What can we conclude from the recent U.S. labor market data? Jerome Powell has often noted that bringing inflation back to two percent requires moderation in labor market conditions. The renowned economist Mohamed El Erian stated on Bloomberg that the October jobs report is “Goldilocks for markets, consistent with a soft landing for the economy.” October Inflation Report Another contributor to the stock market rally is inflation data. In October, headline inflation fell from 3.7% to 3.2%. Excluding shelter prices, inflation was only 1.5% higher annually. Core CPI reached a two-year low of 4% on an annual basis. Meanwhile, import prices fell 0.8% in October. This inflation data supports the disinflationary trend that we have seen in the past few months. Chart from Bloomberg Additionally, the producer price index (PPI) posted an unexpected 0.5% decline in October, compared to the 0.1% expected increase. This was the biggest drop since April 2020. The recent inflation data supports the disinflationary trend that we have seen in the past few weeks which raises the hope that the Federal Reserve could achieve a soft landing. GDP Growth All of the data previously mentioned would not support the soft landing narrative if it wasn’t backed by strong economic growth. While inflation continues to fall and labor market conditions continue to moderate, the U.S. economy continues to grow. In the third quarter, U.S. GDP increased at an annual rate of 4.9%, driven by an acceleration in consumer spending, inventory accumulation, and a boost from government spending. The Federal Reserve Falling inflation and moderating labor market conditions convinced traders that the Fed was done raising interest rates. Does this match with the intentions of the Federal Reserve? According to Lindsey Piegza, there are three key takeaways from recent notes from the November fed meeting minutes. The first is that the fed will proceed cautiously. The minutes state that “All participants agreed that the Committee was in a position to proceed carefully and that policy decisions at every meeting would continue to be based on the totality of incoming information, "The second is that the fed continues to be data-driven. The minutes state that “Participants expected that the data arriving in coming months would help clarify the extent to which the disinflation process was continuing…” Lastly, inflation still is unacceptably high. According to the minutes, “Participants noted that inflation had moderated over the past year but stressed that current inflation remained unacceptably high and well above the committee’s longer-run goal of 2%,” according to the minutes. They also stressed that further evidence would be required for them to be confident that inflation was clearly on a path to the committee’s 2% objective. What key insights emerge from the meeting minutes and recent communications from the Federal Reserve? In the past few weeks, the fed highlighted two primary risks: firstly, the potential of being misled by a few months of positive economic data, and secondly, the risk of overtightening. Consequently, while the Fed's confidence in the sustainability of inflation's trajectory toward the two percent target remains uncertain, it aims to maintain a flexible policy stance to leave the door open for a soft landing. Economic Data Supports the Soft Landing Narrative Recent data suggest that economic growth in the U.S. is still strong, inflation is falling, and labor market conditions are moderating. Additionally, the Fed will likely remain on the sidelines to minimize the risk of overtightening and the risk of being misled by a few months of positive economic data. All of this is consistent with the soft landing narrative. Unfortunately, the apparent clarity presented by the aforementioned data points is misleading. It's important to acknowledge that the impact of monetary policy on the economy operates with long and variable lags, and it's plausible that the full effect of the previous interest rate hikes has not been felt in the real economy yet. The Resilience of the Consumer Jason Draho at UBS Global Management said to Bloomberg recently “The markets are priced for a soft landing, and thus for consumer spending to hold up.” This underscores the pivotal role of robust consumer spending as an essential prerequisite for the Federal Reserve to achieve a soft landing. Notably, the resilience of the U.S. economy has predominantly been caused by the strength of the consumer. U.S. consumers continue to spend, which is a trend supported by the recent Black Friday sales. As noted by Spencer T. Hakimian, the founder of Tolou Capital Management, the Q4 shopping season is critical to the growth of the overall economy. For example, the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas has accounted for almost 10% of annual retail sales historically. Black Friday digital sales were better than expected and they are poised to set a new record. In 2023, Black Friday digital sales grew by 7.5% Year over Year to $9.8 billion. However, the increase in digital sales can be considered to be an indication that price-conscious consumers want to spend on the best deals and are hunting for those deals online. Vivek Pandya, a lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights believes “We’ve seen a very strategic consumer emerge over the past year where they’re really trying to take advantage of these marquee days so that they can maximize on discounts,” Additionally, according to an Adobe survey, $79 million of the sales came from consumers who opted for the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ flexible payment method to stretch their wallets, which is an increase of 43% from last year. While this can be considered as an indication that consumer spending is starting to wear off, many factors could put the U.S. consumer under pressure further down the road. Firstly, consumers are running down their savings to finance spending. The personal savings rate has declined from 5.3% in May 2023, to 3.4% in September 2023. Additionally, consumers are facing higher borrowing costs, labor market conditions are moderating, student loan repayments are resuming, and inflation still is persistently high. Major U.S. retailers have also reported a deceleration in consumer spending. Best Buy Co. and Lowe’s Cos. revised their forecasts downward, citing a decline in discretionary spending, while Kohl's reported a seventh consecutive decline in comparable sales. Nordstrom's CFO, Cathy Smith, recently remarked, "We continue to observe a cautious consumer, and the implications of inflationary adjustments, heightened interest rates, and the resumption of student loan repayments on discretionary consumer spending during the holiday season remain uncertain." Furthermore, retailers primarily serving wealthy Americans are witnessing a pre-holiday decline in sales. The chart below indicates a median sales decline of 14%, marking the weakest performance in two years. Consumer spending is decelerating. Chart from Bloomberg Kayla Bruun, senior economist at Morning Consult, informed Bloomberg, "The upper-middle class had been the driving force behind much of the unexpectedly robust spending. Now, households with at least $100,000 in annual income are beginning to exhibit greater frugality." Should consumers face excessive pressures, the Federal Reserve's ability to engineer a soft landing becomes doubtful. It is crucial to keep an eye on consumer spending and the resilience of consumers. Conference Board Leading Economic Index The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) aims to provide an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and to forecast future economic activity. In October, the Leading Economic Index for the U.S. fell by 0.8%, following a decline of 0.7% in September. According to Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager at the Conference Board, among the leading indicators “deteriorating consumers’ expectations for business conditions, lower ISM index for new orders, and tighter credit conditions drive the index’s most recent decline.” The LEI has exhibited a persistent decline over twelve consecutive months. Philippe Gijsels, the Chief Strategy Officer at BNP Paribas Fortis, has noted that a sustained downturn in the Conference Board Leading Economic Index typically signals the onset of a recession. This correlation is graphically represented below. The LEI is pointing toward further economic weakness in the near future, which speaks against the Federal Reserve achieving a soft landing. Delinquency Rates Since the Federal Reserve started raising interest rates, delinquency rates, and default rates have increased. This is a clear representation of how the cumulative effect of the previous interest rate hikes is starting to bite in the real economy. According to Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo, the ongoing rise in default rates is “not just a normalization. It is a direct consequence of fed hikes. The fed is trying to slow the economy down.” Card loans rose 1.6% month over month in October across five big U.S. card lenders. A seasonal typical increase would be 0.7%. While this suggests that consumers are willing and able to use their credit cards to spend money, more people are struggling to pay back loans. The average 30-day-plus delinquency rate across the five big lenders rose 0.16% in October, compared to a seasonal typical increase of 0.06%. Additionally, a recent study from the Boston Federal Reserve found that consumers with an annual household income below $50,000 whose accounts were delinquent are now utilizing between 80% and 90% of their available credit which means that, according to the Boston Fed, “those consumers with a very small amount of credit on their accounts” do not have a “cushion against a deterioration of their financial situation.” The recent senior loan officer opinion survey shows that “significant net shares of banks reported tightening lending standards for credit card and other consumer loans.” Additionally, a record-high amount of consumers are saying it is harder to obtain credit, as indicated by the chart below. Chart from Apollo Academy Thus far, the strength of consumer spending has been supported by elevated savings. However, as noted previously, savings are being depleted. Moreover, the enduring resilience of the labor market, albeit showing signs of moderation, continues to support American consumers. When considering the rise in delinquency rates alongside the five factors potentially intensifying pressure on consumers, it becomes increasingly apparent that the fundamental condition necessary for a soft landing—a resilient consumer base—might face challenges in sustaining its resilience over an extended duration. Inflation Expectations Despite the progress that the Fed made in bringing inflation closer to the 2% target, inflation expectations have recently increased. Torsten Slok from Apollo believes when inflation expectations are on the rise “the Fed cannot begin to send dovish signals”. The increase in inflationary expectations is graphically depicted in the chart provided below. A sustained rise in these expectations increases the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will be compelled to maintain interest rates at an elevated stance for an extended duration, consequently increasing the risk of prospective economic weakness. Should interest rates persist at elevated levels for an extended period, the prospect of attaining a soft landing could diminish correspondingly. Chart from Apollo Academy Why has the U.S. economy remained so resilient despite many interest rate hikes? Some may wonder why the U.S. economy has remained so resilient in light of a notable increase of over 500 basis points in interest rates imposed by the Federal Reserve. This phenomenon has been surprising to eminent figures in finance and economics. Forecasts, including those made by PIMCO, anticipated a bullish trajectory for bonds in 2023, a projection that did not materialize. Geraldine Sundstrom of PIMCO conveyed to Bloomberg that the anticipated transmission of monetary policy did not unfold expectedly, primarily attributed to factors such as increased savings, consumer resilience, and the prevalence of fixed-rate mortgages across various economies. However, she believes that the current scenario might only represent a delay in anticipated outcomes rather than a complete deviation from projections. The onset of economic challenges in Europe and the UK, economies known for being sensitive to interest rate hikes, contrasts with the U.S., which displays a relatively lower sensitivity to monetary policy tightening. However, the convergence is toward more slowing in the U.S. instead of a global rebound, according to Geraldine Sundstrom. This is yet another factor that is speaking against the Fed achieving a soft landing. The chart provided below underscores the argument that the transmission mechanism of monetary policy in the U.S. has weakened. Presently, approximately 22% of mortgages have interest rates below 3%, a stark contrast to the 1% observed in all mortgages back in 2019. According to Torsten Slok, chief economist at Apollo, “locking in of lower mortgage rates has weakened the transmission mechanism of monetary policy”. Hence, the Federal Reserve might have to keep interest rates at a higher level for longer to achieve the desired effect of the tightening cycle. As noted earlier, this decreases the chance of a soft landing. Chart from Apollo Academy How likely is a soft landing? When considering the aforementioned factors, a deceleration in economic activity within the United States becomes increasingly challenging to argue against. Presently, economic momentum is showing signs of deceleration, causing uncertainty regarding the extent of potential future deterioration. Examination of leading economic indicators, notably the Conference Board's Leading Economic Index (LEI), speaks for a higher probability of continued economic fragility throughout 2024. Peter Cecchini of Axonic Capital, in recent discussions with Bloomberg, underscored a historical absence of the Federal Reserve's successful orchestration of a soft landing amidst the rapid increase in real yields. Moreover, the renowned economist Mohamed El Erian has often expressed his worries about the cumulative effect of the previous interest rate hikes. Monetary policy affects the economy with long and variable lags, and we unfortunately do not know how long and variable those lags are. The extraordinary resilience demonstrated by the U.S. economy has depended greatly upon the strength of consumers, a crucial prerequisite for achieving a soft landing. However, an assessment of multiple indicators indicates a potential diminishment in consumer resilience. Should this trend persist, it could decrease the prospects of achieving a soft landing. Drawing from the aforementioned data points, it appears increasingly unlikely for the Federal Reserve to navigate the U.S. economy toward a soft landing.

Have you ever stopped to think that the shows that you watch are more than entertainment and can actually teach you something? Something beyond life lessons, something more tangible? In the plethora of entertainment we can consume in mainstream media, sex is woven into the plots in many different ways. Hell, there are several reality TVs which solemnly focus on the sexual dynamics between the participants. Other shows have more nuanced approaches where the relationships are at the centre of the plot and sex is a subplot. Some have a more direct reference to it, whether more educational like in “Sex Education”, more explorational like in “Sexify'', or more ironic like in “Big Mouth''. These shows can all be just as educational as a sexual education class at school. As societal attitudes toward sex continuously change, TV shows and movies not only have the chance to adapt to these changes but also actively influence and contribute to the ongoing conversation about sex culture as a whole. While entertainment can play a positive role in sexual education, there are potential dangers and criticisms. So, yes, as said by Salt-n-Pepa, let’s talk about sex baby – because unfortunately, we don’t talk about it enough. I know it’s been a while since the show came out, but I only recently watched it. After years of hearing friends tell me I would love it, I finally sat down and binged the two seasons of Fleabag. Even though I initially thought Fleabag was just an insane woman, I fell in love with this insanely human individual. It just so happened that a week before I had also finished the latest season of “Sex Education” and immediately the two shows became so clearly connected to me. Even with completely different approaches to the portrayal of sex, I believe that both plots have equal educational value. Let's first talk about Sex Education. It is in the name of the show itself, but does it have the educational value it hints at? Otis is the son of a sex therapist, Dr. Jean, who attends a school with a somewhat repressive teaching environment. As Otis and Maeve, a fellow student, witness another student going through some sexual difficulties, they decide to start a new business model: sex therapy for students. With that, Otis takes what he learned from his mom and begins to advise and teach fellow students. As it goes with teenagers who attend a school that does not provide enough education or guidance on the topic, Otis gets a lot of clients, or should I say, patients. Throughout the progression of the series, Otis, while extending assistance to his friends, undergoes transformative experiences that prompt his personal growth and the quest for guidance. A notable parallel is observed between Otis's developmental journey and that of his mother, who, despite providing support and advice to others, grapples with her own challenges. The journey of growth is not confined solely to the mother-son duo; rather, it extends across all characters, weaving a central theme of personal development. The show strategically caters to a youthful demographic, anchoring its narrative in the relatable struggles of high school teenagers. The storyline transcends into adult plotlines, with characters such as Jean, other parents, and teachers contributing to the overarching narrative. I believe that the educational aspect of the show is especially successful because of the existing contrast between the ‘knowledgeable’, i.e. the sex therapists, and the ‘unaware’, i.e. their patients. Within this dichotomy, it becomes evident that even Otis and his mother, possessing knowledge, confront challenges in their personal journeys. This dynamic contributes to the overarching message that self-development is a universal struggle, and it is OKAY and inherently human to undergo such a process. There is inherent value in teaching sexual education through the lens of a lifelong process of self-discovery. As a diverse array of sex-related topics is introduced throughout the four seasons, the didactic force of the show's format is further intensified. These encompass discussions on sexual health, safe sex practices, autonomy, and self-satisfaction in sex, self-pleasure and understanding of one's anatomy, struggles with sexuality, consent, heteronormativity, stereotypical expectations in sex, coping with trauma, emotional responsibility in relationships, and exploration of sexual fantasies To further exemplify the educational value the show carries, I will offer examples from the characters’ journeys. Maeve and Aimee, for instance, exhibit distinct experiences and approaches to their sexuality, both portraying characters striving for empowerment in their sexual choices. While Maeve navigates the scars left by her upbringing and societal judgement, Aimee explores her anatomy, and her own pleasure, and copes with the trauma resulting from a sexual assault. One of her most iconic moments occurs when Aimee bakes vulva cupcakes to raise awareness and normalise the differences in female anatomy. In doing so, she overtly shares lessons learned, simultaneously educating the audience. Source: Instagram Gillian Anderson Beyond character development serving as a teaching moment, there are episodes where specific conditions are discussed in detail, thus providing valuable lessons to the audience. In the initial episode, a rumour circulates about an outbreak of chlamydia, causing mass hysteria among students who are poorly educated on the topic and unaware of how the STD is spread. This moment serves as a clear instance of information dissemination about sexual health, which is imperative for society. Another notable instance is when Lily encounters difficulties engaging in sexual intercourse with her partner and is unable to understand why. Through counselling provided by Otis, she discovers that she is afflicted with a condition known as 'vaginismus,' characterised as “the body's automatic reaction to the fear of some or all types of vaginal penetration”. Lily's treatment journey revolves around asserting her agency, fostering empowerment, and enhancing her awareness of female anatomy. The introduction of this plotline assumes particular significance given that vaginismus represents an under-researched and underdiagnosed condition among women. Hence, these narrative arcs collectively contribute to dismantling societal taboos, fostering an enlightened perspective on the 'sex' discourse, and behavioural practices related to sex among individuals spanning various age groups, encompassing both teenagers and adults. It highlights the importance of open conversations and guidance to navigate this complex aspect of human experience. In contrast, "Fleabag" addresses the topic of sex with an emphasis on its role in shaping interpersonal relationships. The series delves into the individual significance that each character attaches to sex within the broader context of their lives. Fleabag is a heavily flawed person, she is deeply human and honest with the audience, even though she may not be so honest with the people around her. With the audience, she visibly breaks the fourth wall to communicate her true feelings, whereas to the people in her life, she either lies or stays fully silent. This is a visual illustration of her self-awareness of her humanity. Just as her flaws are part of her humanity, so is her sex life. There is a “matter-of-fact” tone that makes everything she experiences raw and her vulnerability is clear to the audience. Through that mechanism, the ‘human’ nature of sex in relationships is highlighted. The character Fleabag, played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, has a relationship with her own sex life as a driving point in her plotline. It impacts how she perceives herself, how she grieves the loss of her best friend Boo, how she relates with her sister, the conflict with her sister’s husband, her relationship with her dad, her relationship with her godmother, and lastly, her relationship with the Priest. Even background characters, such as a date she brings to dinner, the man working at the bank when she needs to ask for a loan, and one of her sister’s coworkers with whom she has a drink are involved with her storyline through some form of sexual dynamic. Not only Fleabag’s relationships with other characters but also, all the relationships of the other characters with each other are sexual in nature. Fleabag explores her sexuality with a strong sense of agency. Her sexual encounters are often initiated on her terms and reflect her desires. The show portrays a woman who takes control of her own sexual experiences and does not conform to traditional gender norms. Her relationships, while complex and messy, highlight the importance of female agency in sexual relationships. It also highlights a few of her issues when it comes to using sex as a coping mechanism for the trauma she has experienced in life, be it the one she inherited from her mother’s death or her best friend’s death. Her relationship with her sister evolved as Fleabag attempted to advise her sister in bettering her sex life as well as in getting rid of her husband. When the husband makes a move on Fleabag, she tells her sister, straining their relationship. Amidst their argument, her sister refuses to believe the story and when explaining the reason why, she throws a painful accusation at Fleabag. The sister mentions Fleabag having had sex with her best friend's boyfriend, an incident that tragically resulted in the death of the best friend. Fleabag’s response to the discussion is to abstain from all sexual interactions until she meets the Priest. Source: BBC One In "Fleabag," the encounter between the titular character and the Priest unfolds as a narrative of unexpected depth. Initially appearing atypical of his priestly role, the Priest reveals a profound faith and devotion to God. Their connection develops as he invites Fleabag into his church, marked by conversations that oscillate between covert and overt sexual connotations. Despite the absence of a direct focus on sexual education, their relationship explores significant themes, including commitment — his to God, hers to partners — and the complexities of desire, both for each other and for others in a broader sense. The dynamics between them prompt reflections on self-perception and belief systems. As their sexual desires intertwine, they become a catalyst for self-exploration, challenging their individual convictions. Following the loss of her best friend, Fleabag confides in the Priest, marking a pivotal moment where she unveils her innermost feelings to someone other than the audience. During a confession scene, she truly exposes her feelings in the most raw way to which the Priest responds with: ‘kneel’. He then reciprocates by kneeling and kissing her, giving in to the sexual desire. The one person with whom she can be honest, whom she desires the most, is the one person she cannot have. Ultimately, the characters admit their love for each other, but the Priest prioritises his commitment to God and reassures Fleabag that she will be okay. Part of what entails being sexually educated is understanding the responsibility to the other with whom you engage in sexual acts, and the real raw and vulnerable relationship between Fleabag and the Priest delves exactly into that. The vulnerabilities that the characters have in both shows make them two different pieces of work that follow a similar discourse on the innate character of sex in our lives and its intricacies within relationships as well as our own personal developments as people. These characters feel real, so we can relate to them, understand them better and hence, understand sex in our lives. Different countries have varying approaches to sexual education in schools, ranging from comprehensive programs that cover diverse aspects of sexuality to more conservative and limited ones. This lack of comprehensive sexual education creates a gap that entertainment, such as TV shows and movies, can potentially fill. Entertainment has the power to address cultural sensitivities and taboos surrounding sex, providing a platform for discussions that may be challenging within the confines of formal education. Therefore contributing to breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a more inclusive understanding of diverse sexual experiences. Well-crafted portrayals of sex in entertainment can, therefore, have a profound impact on attitudes and behaviours, especially among younger audiences. Furthermore, entertainment has the advantage of being widely accessible, reaching audiences that may not have access to comprehensive sexual education. It provides an alternative source of information and influences societal perceptions by presenting nuanced and relatable characters navigating the complexities of relationships and sexuality. Also, by simply being produced and distributed, entertainment sparks conversations. Content that delves into the intricacies of sex encourages viewers to engage in discussions about relationships, consent, and personal boundaries. This dialogue can be particularly impactful within contexts where such conversations are not encouraged or are considered taboo. While some portrayals in entertainment may perpetuate harmful stereotypes or contribute to unrealistic expectations, productions like 'Sex Education' and 'Fleabag' take a more thoughtful approach by exploring human vulnerabilities related to sex. These shows offer a unique perspective on sexual education and should be considered valuable contributors when striving for a more effective and comprehensive approach to sexual education.

The war in Ukraine has undeniably shown the democratic West how ruthless and destructive Putin and his authoritarian regime can be. Ukraine, a country increasingly turning towards western politics and becoming a reasonable candidate to join the European Union, is now directly facing a humanitarian crisis, invaded and destroyed. For Russia, the threat of an independent and democratic Ukraine was too big to ignore, as the wave of democracy has already spilled over to the Russian borders and citizens. The goal of Putin is clear: Crush the democratic spirit channeled, showing both the Russian people and the world the superiority of his regime as compared to the democratic ideal. Western democratic nations have come to realize that to save the face of democracy, they will have to confront Putin and his authoritarian ruling. Yet, the struggle against authoritarianism is also very much apparent on the western democratic front . For the first time since 2004, we can find more authoritarian countries than democratic ones, which is worrying for those who wish to see a prospering democratic and free world. Especially the United States have been struck hard, shown for instance by the attack on the United States Capitol, the heart of American democracy, by Trump supporters and right winged activists in 2021. Specifically, right-winged and populist politicians have gained more and more influence in the United States on a national level, notably with Trump’s presidency. Furthermore, Trump has received severe backing for a second term from influential governors, such as Greg Abbot the governor of Texas, who condemned the Capital Hill riots but are now aligning with Trump and his team once again. Especially Texas is a crucial state for the Republican presidential candidates. Winning it would therefore pave the way for a potential second presidential run for Trump, something which has not been confirmed yet however seems more and more likely. These developments show that there is an alarming trend threatening the democratic foundation that the United States is built upon, which brings up several questions. How has this populist movement become so powerful? And what can be done to prevent the further surge of authoritarianism in the United States? The United States has been in an increasing turmoil the past two decades caused by the steadily increasing income gap, deepening racism, and poor healthcare, demonstrating the inability of the government and American political system to create a fair and equitable society. The traditional identity of the United States of America has been lost and its recovery seems far away. From “rags to riches” to “the American melting pot”, these views and frameworks are outdated and not achievable in the current United States anymore, as the country has moved into a severely socially stratified dimension. Currently, the United States has the highest income inequality in the developed world, as in 2020 the top 5% of households earned 23% of total national income, while the bottom 20% only earned 3% of the nation’s income. The citizens of the United States are looking for a government that can guide them in solving these deeply-rooted, societal problems. Nonetheless, the current political system with legislative discrepancies on a national and state level, as well as the frictions between the House of Representatives and Senate, has not been able to form a clear and constant voice, leading to a United States without unity. The rag rug of legislation instead has caused further cleavages, which can be observed by the recent shocking abortion bills signed in Florida and Texas, which completely contradict the developments in other states such as Washington and California and has left many progressive Americans speechless, further emphasizing the growing divide within the population. Moreover, the spread of fake news has intensified these issues, as many Americans were given false information, which has played an especially large role during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as during Trump’s presidency. Essentially, the distribution of false information has shown to be a core driver of Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016 and a valuable tool that was used throughout his term, especially over the platform of Twitter. Many Americans have since lost faith in a once trusted system of democracy and freedom and were looking for consistency in leadership and a strong powerful voice, which they hope to find in a populist leader, namely Donald Trump. Since the Biden administration has taken office, barely winning the election in 2020, many American citizens have hoped to regain trust in the democratic system again, believing in an America for all and a strong democratic government that will tackle the issues the nation is facing decisively. So far, however, President Biden and his administration have yet to fulfil these expectations, which brings us to the core issue: the lack of American’s political system to create a fair and equitable society for every American. The American two-party system seems outdated, lacking diversity in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as one can only choose between Republican or Democratic, two in many points drastically opposing positions. While one party is trying to create new legislation or pass a new bill, the other party is trying to oppose this vehemently, thereby hampering legislative progress. Examples of this phenomenon are the DREAM Act during Obama’s term or the Disclose Act in 2012, where both bills passed the House of Representatives, however were blocked by a Republican filibuster in the Senate. Furthermore, the strong influence of lobbyists on national matters has a prominent impact on American domestic and foreign policy, causing even more discrepancies and unalignments within the political system. Voices have become louder, proposing to introduce a multi-party system, so that citizens have a greater array of options while simultaneously creating a more dynamic system with more changes and different covenants. Such a system could potentially revive America’s political system, representing the population better and serving the needs of individual communities more effectively. Nevertheless, such a change would need significant time and reforms, but might ultimately be necessary to steer America back to a strong democracy. A populist government and leader, however, is never the solution, which the recent developments in Ukraine have clearly shown. The world cannot afford to lose another global superpower to authoritarianism, and the United States is needed as a stable and reliable economic and political partner, to secure our global community. The United States of America is a democratic country and should always stay democratic, where each citizen has the free choice to vote and shape their future. Put in Lincoln’s words “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people”.