The Economist
South Africa: rugby's race problem
South Africa's national rugby squad has ‘‘quotas’’ to ensure more black players are selected. 25 years after the end of apartheid, can the controversial practice redress the race imbalance in the sport? And at what cost?
The Economist
What have liberals ever done for us?
Populists argue that liberals have become too elite and are out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people. But what exactly are the principles of liberalism and what has it ever done for Western societies?
The Economist
Where does foreign aid go?
Rich countries are giving more in foreign aid than ever before. But which countries are the most generous?
The Economist
Can a child have more than two parents?
What does a modern family look like? The Economist’s Matt Steinglass travels to the Netherlands, where families with up to four parents could be recognised by law.
The Economist
War is in decline, but for how long?
One hundred years after the end of the first world war, battle-related deaths have fallen worldwide. But flashpoints remain and new threats are looming
The Economist
Hong Kong protests: what's at stake for China?
The Hong Kong protests are the most serious challenge to the Communist Party's authority since the Tiananmen Square massacre. China's leaders must choose between two mortal dangers: the collapse of economic stability, or the acceptance...
The Economist
Who owns the Moon?
50 years after the first Moon landing, humanity is getting ready to go back. Countries and companies are planning dozens of lunar missions—for research, resources and even tourism, which begs the question: who, if anyone, owns the Moon?
The Economist
Wild horses behind bars
America has one of the worst reoffending rates in the world. But in Arizona, prisoners tame wild mustangs as part of a pioneering programme to teach them the life skills they need to break the cycle and stay out of jail.
The Economist
How Brexit is changing the EU
Brexit once seemed to pose an existential threat to the European Union. But Britain's withdrawal process has had some surprising results—especially when it comes to how other member states view the EU
The Economist
How could veganism change the world?
Interest in vegan food and its associated health benefits has been booming across the rich world. A global retreat from meat could have a far-reaching environmental impact.
The Economist
The illegal ivory trade uncovered
Poachers kill around 100 African elephants every day. The tusks command such high prices in China that traffickers will go to extraordinary lengths to get it there.
The Economist
What does a cashless future mean?
Many countries are going cashless at great speed. What are the advantages of ditching hard cash and what are the dangers?
The Economist
The truth about lies
From little fibs to big fat whoppers, lying is part of human nature. Lane Greene, our language guru, examines the difference between lies, falsehoods and plain nonsense.
The Economist
University: is it worth it?
The pressure for young adults to get a university degree is rising across the world. But does further education lead to better pay and opportunities?
The Economist
The race to put humans on Mars
Sending astronauts to Mars is a daunting prospect. But this will not deter NASA and private companies from trying.
The Economist
Dating in the digital age
Over 200m people worldwide use online dating platforms and about one-third of married couples in America meet online. In this week's cover story, The Economist examines the way online dating has changed the way we search for love
The Economist
Why we should laugh at leaders
Political satire can only flourish in a healthy democracy. KAL, the award-winning cartoonist of The Economist, meets one of the most famous figures of the Arab spring—the “Jon Stewart of the Middle East”.
The Economist
How Cape Town became a murder capital
Cape Town is one of the most murderous cities in the world. How did it become the gangland-shooting capital of Africa?
The Economist
Where is the world's most liveable city?
The Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked 140 cities based on their liveability. For seven years, Melbourne was ranked the world's most liveable city but this year it lost the top spot. To whom?
The Economist
Why India’s election has stoked conflict
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, has galvanised voters with an appeal to Hindu nationalism. But rising Hindu-Muslim violence is putting India’s historic secularism at risk.
The Economist
How will quantum computing change the world?
The potential for quantum computing to crack other countries’ encrypted networks has captured the attention of national governments. Which of the world's fundamental challenges could be solved by quantum computing?
The Economist
Mapping poverty in America
America is the richest country in the world, but it also has one of the biggest divides between rich and poor. What can a zip code reveal about inequality?
The Economist
Why are women paid less than men?
Men and women are usually paid the same if they do the same jobs. But they tend to choose different fields. Women also suffer a “motherhood penalty”.
The Economist
Why do languages die?
There are more than 7,000 languages. Every fortnight one of these will disappear forever. The Economist's language expert Lane Greene explains why.