Soft Power
Page 13
Acting funny
Big-league comedian and film director Takeshi “Beat” Kitano emerged from working-class roots to fame with his TV programmes and gangster films. This year, he has published his autobiography.
French revision
Napoleon sold off Louisiana in 1803 but the French government is promoting Gallic culture in the former colonial state, funding a new school and getting Paris headlines on local radio stations.
Ministry of sun
A fast-expanding embassy network and clever use of its culture mean Brazil is making friends globally. Is this a bid for a UN Security Council seat or an attempt to change the world order?
Rubber soled tiger
Brazil has natural assets – a sunny disposition, a carnival attitude – that are peculiarly unquantifiable. As Monocle discovered, the next 10 years might just be the country's best decade yet.
Air Rescue
Twenty years ago, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was a busy place as the Iron Curtain was pulled back. Today, its signals are still focused on Russia as well as Iran and Afghanistan.
Track record
Switzerland’s reputation for being the most efficient country in the world is not undeserved: SBB, the state-controlled railways, has a 96 per cent punctuality rate and slick service.
Hit factory
Despite years of turbulence between Taiwan and China, this island’s pop culture leaves the mainland standing. From idols to protest singers via television talent shows, Taipei pop is the country’s new heavy industry.
Observation
How can a nation get its voice heard on the world stage? If you lack resources and numbers, perhaps it’s time to wield some ‘soft power’ to encourage trade and tourism. By Tyler Brûlé.
Africa/Middle East
Syrian first lady Adma Al-Assad's outfits; wine-tasting classes for poor South Africans.
Gulf champions
Qatar may be small, but with a GDP of €46bn it has money to pull off miracles. Its latest plan is to become a leading sports nation and host the 2016 Olympics.
