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Lessons from history
News, Postbag, Published on 16/04/2016
» I have just finished reading the third novel in Robert Harris's brilliant trilogy based on the life of Cicero. It's about politicians who struggle to practise and defend democracy, but fail because of the corruptibility and greed of many of them. The politicians are divided, and some favour allowing the all-powerful general, Julius Caesar, to take control of the empire.
Liberalise lease laws
News, Postbag, Published on 29/01/2016
» An argument often heard in Thailand is that to extend leases or grant ownership rights to foreigners would betray sensitivity to the history of colonisation in Southeast Asia. But Thailand has not been subject to colonisation and is seldom seen to be overly sensitive to its neighbours' problems or transgressions, unless they directly impact the kingdom.