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Economy 2008
A special newstatesman.com focus on the state of the economy in 2008
An inevitable crisis
Viewed from a distance, the events of 2008 will be seen as a particularly dramatic example of the age-old cycle of famine and feast. James Buchan reflects on a financial crisis of unprecedented size and complexity
''We've had to let six staff go this Christmas . . . people with families and mortgages''
Families all over Britain are bracing themselves for hard times. For some, they have already started. Fran Abrams reports from Leek in Staffordshire
Politics is broken
People in this country are governed by processes that feel alien to their lives; by the puerile and archaic pantomime that so often dictates the Commons; by a system that keeps power hoarded in Whitehall.
The Chávez decade
Academic and former economic adviser to the Venezuelan vice president, Stephanie Blankenburg gives her analysis of 10 years of Chávez in power. Plus read Hugh O'Shaughnessy's take
High street shake-out
Woolworths has gone, many other famous stores will disappear, but a new age of shopping will emerge from the wreckage
Darling holds his nerve
The Chancellor's refusal to panic has won him respect, but his biggest test still lies ahead
How safe is your job?
This has been a year of financial panic, but 2009 will be dominated by unemployment. In a flexible labour market, with few legal protections, the indebted young will be hit hardest
Young, gifted and jobless: a generation in the red
The under-35s are the most vulnerable
Darling's Big Mini-Budget
The quiet man gets the tone right for the statement of his political career
Pre-Budget report
The key points from this year's crucial pre-Budget report delivered to MPs in the House of Commons. Plus read Martin Bright's analysis
Finding Happiness
Meditating, believing in impermanence and seeking true happiness will help people weather the financial meltdown.
Judaism and the meltdown
Rabbis are a great resource during this economic crisis, providing both support and networking opportunities.
The travelling man
Gordon Brown likes to portray himself as a chancellor for the world. But he cannot keep leaving these shores with an election looming
Catastrophe averted?
The leaders of the rich countries went to Washington to save the world from sliding into deep recession. We asked key politicians, commentators and economists whether they succeeded and what we should expect, and hope for, in the coming weeks
World saved . . . planet doomed
Green activists are seeing the global economic crisis as an opportunity, but the truth remains: high economic growth cannot be reconciled with limited resources
Compassion during the crisis
Compassion for all - including bankers and politicians - will help society weather the economic crisis and learn to prize equality and sustainability, says Buddhist Matthew Jee.
The church in the crunch
Following huge losses during the financial crisis, the Church of England should return to the Christian principles of using material wealth for the common good
The fire next time
Every attempt to make banks more responsible has made them more reckless. Unless the sector is radically reformed, future meltdowns will make the current crisis look routine
A last chance
Leaders meet in Washington on 15 November for a summit to attempt to resuscitate a world finance system currently on life support. Paul Mason looks at what went wrong
When Keynes went to America
The first Bretton Woods meeting was intended to establish a postwar money regime and secure funds for rebuilding Europe. It nearly killed the British mastermind behind it
Fidel Castro
The last revolutionary
Steve Richards
On Tory policy
Science
Religion and Darwin
James Macintyre
Miliband's dilemma
Will Self
On Oscar Wilde
Film review
Bright Star
Books
Paul Auster
Interview
Alain de Botton
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