Any complete explanation for why the American citizenry is so divided would have to include a combination of factors like economic inequality, media Influence, mistrust in institutions, urban and rural interests, globalization, and technological advances.

New Year is the time when both individuals and governments declare new goals and ambitions. Remarkably, 2024 will be a record year for elections with over 50 scheduled presidential, government and regional elections in countries around the world including many in its largest democracies. Electors in the US, the UK, the EU, and many Asian countries including India and the Philippines have the chance to set new directions for their nations.

I have been writing Policies for Places now for just about 1 year. It began as a ‘twixmas’ activity at the end of December 2022. Since then I have posted some 25 pieces on a range of topics of current relevance to making better places. In doing so I have been much encouraged by the steadily growing number of you who have read these and have found them interesting enough to subscribe.

As I write there are at least 50 Christmas Markets underway in towns and cities across the UK, and many more in Europe and around the globe. They bring thousands of visitors, provide a boost to the tourist and hospitality industries and to local economies.  They seem to attract impressive visitor numbers and to be popular among residents, but what we know about their economic and social impact beyond the basic statistics of estimated visitor numbers, additional spending and jobs created is limited so let’s explore this phenomenon a little more.