Saintly lies and the devil that lurks in double talk
Nothing so much undermines public regard for politics and business as the increasingly widespread practice of equivocation. In the light of the spectacle surrounding the Hutton report, this wisdom should be extended beyond the tale of St Athanasius.
Too many polls are apt to harm a democracy
Following and trying to manipulate public opinion too closely can lead to a superficially participative democracy. As the recent example in California demonstrates, in this context the emergence of inspirational leaders is unlikely.
Why those who seek popularity lose their authority
The market truly values advisers it can trust; subsequently the effort to impress may have the opposite results.
The visible hand of the Treasury
The effort to define the 'third way' for the centre left after socialism continues with Gordon Brown's extended essay on economic philosophy to the Social Market Foundation. His analysis has many attractions - and many unresolved problems.
Desperate dons must take risks for bigger rewards
Tony Blair has shown decisive leadership qualities in putting forward necessary but unpopular proposals to restore universities' freedom to set fees. It needs to be matched by similar qualities of leadership in the universities themselves.
Beware authority without legitimacy
Institutions have no power without legitimacy, English exam boards are learning this lesson the hard way
Britain counts the cost of wasted energy
With one short sentence uttered in 1965, Fred Lee, then Britain's minister for power, encapsulated the government's hopes of providing ...
Meeting of closed minds
It sat for 340 days, heard evidence from 195 witnesses and received over 4000 letters of objection. The public inquiry into Sizewell B was the second biggest ever - but it came to the wrong conclusion.
On John Kay’s Bookshelf – Archive page
Books that John has reviewed in the past...
A poor view of poverty
Many people wish there was a nicer model of economic development than captalism. In reality, the best thing they can do is encourage Western firms to raise their standards.