“Das Grundgesetz” is Germany’s constitution since 1949
Last Wednesday – in part 1 – I kicked off with some general considerations: the origins of democracy and five fundamental conditions that a functioning democratic system needs to meet. First point on the list: The constitution. I will take Germany as an example, which means that I have to cover about 650 years of history. Lots of stuff but I will try to make it as short and crisp as I possibly can. Continue reading
Marilyn Monroe was a serious reader.
“I’m not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.”
June 1, 1926: Born Norma Jean Mortenson (Baker, her mother’s last name, came later) 87 years ago today, Marilyn Monroe became the iconic blonde. She wasn’t all wiggle and giggle—Monroe was also a serious reader who was often pictured with a book in hand.
Voting – essential part of democracy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I came across recently few articles that identified a crisis of democracy. Some commentators argue that democracy is already a thing of the past and that the Chinese model (which combines an authoritarian political structure with a 19th-century-type capitalism) is the way forward. I will discuss here in the following weeks a number of different aspects to this question. I will take Germany as an example. We start off today with some general considerations. Continue reading
T.H. White
“The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards.”
May 29, 1906: Born in Bombay to British parents, T.H. White’s novels, including The Sword in the Stone, popularized the Arthurian legend and were a strong influence on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
via David McWilliams: The EUR 44m May miracle
Articles by David McWilliams are always a good read for people interested in economics in general and/or in the Irish economy in particular. His latest post lets us in on the secrets of the EUR 44m May miracle (May is the period in which catholic kids in Ireland have their First Holy Communion) and what it means to the local economy (from the obligatory bouncy castle to mummy’s hairs).
Czerulf's Thoughts 