Belt and Road: How Is It Different from British Colonialism?
China's Belt and Road Initiative draws comparisons to the British Empire. But are the parallels fair — and what does China's expansion mean for the future of English as a global language?
Thoughts on China, Education & Politics
by James Pares
China
View all →UK and China: The Trade Relationship Britain Can't Afford to Ignore
Cheaper EVs, cheaper goods, green energy cooperation — the benefits of deeper UK-China trade are real. But so are the risks. What's the right balance?
Education
View all →Is Personalised Learning Always a Good Thing?
Personalised learning promises tailored education for every student. But if everyone is learning different things, what happens to the shared classroom experience — and to social cohesion?
A New Model for Learning: Pen and Paper In Class, AI at Home
What if we flipped the script on technology in schools? In-class work should build social skills with pen and paper. Homework should be AI-powered and personalised. Here's how.
Politics
View all →Divide and Multiply: How Capitalism Fragments Us to Sell Us More
Capitalism thrives when individuals consume more. But does it achieve this by weakening the social bonds that would otherwise make us content with less?
Immigration Is Great — But It Needs Boundaries
Immigration enriches societies. But too much, too fast, from too many directions can fracture the cultural fabric that holds communities together. Here's the case for managed, strategic immigration.
The NHS Needs a New Model: Time for Insurance-Based Care
The NHS is beloved but broken. What if we replaced general taxation funding with an employer-paid insurance model that keeps care free at the point of use while introducing competition and quality incentives?