The auto industry is facing a moment of significant technological and social change as electric power begins to gather pace in its charge against fossil fuels. Monocle reports from the Frankfurt motor show on the effect…
How do you run a village - or a nation? Do you need to be skilled at consensus politics - or a bit of tyrant? Do you need a BlackBerry - or a chargé d'affaires? Monocle spent a month meeting global leaders at every level…
Tuesday 2 April
Japan's 'hanami' festival celebrates the annual arrival of cherry blossom as it sweeps the country. This year may have been a bit chilly but that hasn't cooled the warm glow created by this much-loved event.
Do too many diplomats and NGOs spoil a city? Brussels, Ottawa, Canberra and even DC have a lot to answer for in the dull stakes, but what’s a capital city to do? Become both an economic and administrative hub? Or simply…
Conceived of only 21 years ago, already most nations want a “soft power” strategy – a way of winning the world over without resorting to military-industrial might. Monocle has indexed the top 30 soft power nations, which…
The prestigious Prix Pictet is an annual prize for photography focusing on the environment. Following themes that have included water, earth and growth, the message for 2012 is power.
Monocle's third annual Soft Power Survey is an attempt to push the debate on where soft power comes from and how to use it. With current shifts in the global power balance, never has it been more relevant.
A small Finnish city that sits on the Arctic Circle called Rovaniemi has claimed Santa as its own. With a Disney-style theme park and the official Santa post office, Rovaniemi and Finland are banking on Santa's soft power…
This issue Monocle has visited seats of power around the globe – from the African Union’s HQ to Burma’s fledgling capital via Liechtenstein’s new parliament building. Each has a very different vision.
The Mojave desert receives more sunlight than anywhere else in the US, so plans for it to become a solar-power ‘Saudi Arabia’ seem spot on. But while many recession-hit locals are in full support, others are casting a…
Are you familiar with all of these leaders? Monocle profiles three whose influence will continue to grow and grooms two necessary leaders of its own.
Thursday 26 July
As Olympic athletes limber up to start the London games and director Danny Boyle puts the finishing touches to his pastoral-themed opening ceremony, there is another tranche of players gearing up for the games.
London has had some bad press but with the Olympics ahead, can its burgeoning design scene save the day?
Germany’s economic status exceeds its place in the world power order. With a touching lack of marketing sophistication and sturdy business values, Europe’s powerhouse has achieved soft power almost by accident.
Côte d’Ivoire are seen as Africa’s best chance for World Cup glory. The secret to their prowess is the ASEC Mimosas academy, which not only trains, but also educates young Ivorians – the best of whom have gone on to become…
Great Britain hasn’t seemed quite so great in recent years, its image damaged by unpopular wars and the banking crisis. But with the new coalition government bedded in and the Olympics on the horizon, experts from the…
Monday 29 April
While popular political debate in the US can at times seems trite, a short journey south to Panama reveals a well-informed population
“How museums became soft power ambassadors”. Monocle and the V&A hosted a discussion exploring how culture nations. Moderated by Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûle speakers on the panel were: - Simon Anholt, independent…
Monocle's third annual Soft Power Survey is an attempt to push the debate on where soft power comes from and how to use it. With current shifts in the global power balance, never has it been more relevant.
Despite healthy economic growth, two thirds of Pakistanis earn under $2 a day, 60 per cent of adults are illiterate, and the country is in the grip of a food and fuel crisis. No wonder the frivolity of Islamabad’s wedding…
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