Tag Archives: Pew Research Center

Despite concerns about global democracy, nearly six-in-ten countries are now democratic – Pew Research

February 6, 2018 By in People, Politics Tags: , Leave a comment

Much as I respect Pew Research, there are times when the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Check out this fascinating article.

Source: Despite concerns about global democracy, nearly six-in-ten countries are now democratic – Pew Research

Whilst I don’t have a problem with the broad thrust of the Pew argument, the devils in the detail.

Here’s an area where subjective experience is as important as objective data. Context is very important too, like the degree of corruption and the integrity of some so-called democracies. Experience over time and emerging trends are important too.

Sadly, we seem to live in a world where the central grounds of politics is under threat, and both the Far Left and Far Right are on the rise. Truth is often subordinated in favour of dogma. But history gives us some important warnings.

Thoughts?

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Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions – Bloomberg

August 9, 2017 By in Business Administration, Healthcare, People, Society Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

This Bloomberg article is worth a read. It reports that US life expectancy gains have stalled, with the grim silver lining being lower pension costs

Source: Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions – Bloomberg

As I read the article, I was eagerly awaiting an explanation. Finally, the author cited a 2015 paper suggesting that mortality was rising for middle-aged white Americans, citing suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol.

The article concludes by saying that actuaries are waiting to see whether the data is a blip or a trend. Given that the primary cause of death for the under fifties is now drug abuse, it’s probably fair to assume that ‘deaths of despair’ are on the increase.

Thoughts?