Economies are complex beasts that need people to do an extraordinary range of tasks.

Democracy isn't solely about polite conversations in parliaments. It needs to be continually refreshed with raw passions, anger and ideals.

In every capitalist economy there are anti-capitalist movements, activists, and even political parties; in a way, that there are no longer anti-democratic movements, activists, and parties.

Over 5,000 years, states have made surprisingly consistent claims about their duties. They have promised to protect people from threats; promote their welfare; deliver justice and also, perhaps less obviously, uphold truth - originally truths about the cosmos, and more recently truths drawn from reason and knowledge.

The idea of entrepreneurship applies as much in politics, religion, society and the arts as it does in business.

A tablet replacing an exercise book is not innovation, it's just a different way to make notes.

A lot of people in government don't really read books at all.