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From The Economist print edition Panos Is economic inequality around the world getting better or worse? CRITICS of capitalism are convinced that the gap between rich and poor is widening across the world. For them, the claim amounts almost to an article of faith: worsening inequality is a sure sign of the moral bankruptcy of \the system\. Whether rising inequality should in fact be seen

The From The Economist print edition One of the world's main currencies is heading for a fall Get article background THE world has a new international currency: frequent-flyer miles. Launched exactly 21 years ago, they are a lot like money. Collectors check their mileage statements as

boosted global trade and triggered a surge in commodity prices: The Economist's metals index is at ten-year From budding to blooming high. This has been a fillip to raw-materials producers, GDP growth, annual average such as Brazil, South Africa and Russia. Low global %2001-04 interest rates have also reduced debt-servic costs, and

\Picture Mom,dad, and the kids in an upper-middle-- Asian family in 100 years'time: After loading up with cash at the corner Citibank, they drive off to Walmart and fill the trunk of their Ford with the likes of Fritos and Snickers. On the way home, they stop at the American-owne Cineplex to catch the latest Disney movie, paying with their Visa card. In the evening, after putting the kids

The world economy needs both TO GET a sense of the challenges facing the global economy, fast-forward four years to September 2007 and consider the following three scenarios: he world's top finance ministers arrive in Washington for an emergency summit after the

If the global economy falters, free trade will suffer \I'M MAD as hell, roared the man on stage. \Mad as hell about what is happening to the manufacturing sector in America. \ This is a trade war with China,\ shouted his colleague, \and it's time to fight that war head on.\ The audience cheered in approval. Patriotic songs played in the background, interspersed with extracts from George Bush's address to the nation after September

Asia's addiction to cheap currencies must end. But not overnight THE average homeowner in Peoria has probably never heard of Toshihiko Fukui, Zhou Xiachuan, Joseph Yam, Perng Fai-nan or Park Seung. But he has a lot to thank them for. These men, respectively bosses of the central banks of Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South

Can Germany and Japan be reinvigorated? THEY are the world's' second-and- third-large- economies. Measured at market exchange rates, Japan and Germany together make up about 20% of global output. And they are both in a mess

From The Economist print edition Why the world cannot count on a repeat of the 1980s PARALLELS abound between Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Like the Gipper, Dubya is a sun- belt conservative with fondness for his ranch. In all, Mr Reagan spent about one year of his eight-year presidency at his California retreat. Mr Bush has turned his patch of Texan scrub near Crawford into the hottest destination for world leaders