There are many ways to judge the health of a society. The speculators
in the European Bond Markets judge the health of nations by the state
of their public finances; socialists and trade unionists point to the
way that old people and children are treated and especially the position
of women in society. Economists look at the volume of imports and
exports and at the rate of economic growth.  One measure looks at the
scale of inequality within society.

The world is changing rapidly before our eyes.
Over the last 12 months events have been unfolding with breathtaking
speed.

Today, Saturday, 17th December, marks
the first anniversary of the Arab Revolution. On this day, one year
ago, Mohammad Bouazizi, a young Tunisian fruit vendor, driven by
desperation, poverty, and anger, set himself on fire in the city of Sidi
Bouzid. The revolutionary wildfire that began after his death — first
in southern Tunisia, then the entire country, then erupting across the
entire Arab-speaking world—marked a turning point in human history