Top 5 articles: Take a vacation!
Also, the decline of American power. NBD.
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OK, fair warning today: this week’s Top 5 are… a bit melancholy. Look, we never promised that these articles would send you off on your weekend filled with optimism and happy feelings. For that, we include these videos:
Top 5 articles, week of 18 August 2019
“America the Mediocre” (Foreign Policy Magazine)
Because, the consequences of the US’ decline in relative global power has implications for American leadership on big things.
“G-7 summit set to end without an agreement for the first time in history” (CNBC)
Because tying in with the essay above, post-WWII alliances aren’t exactly in sync with each other right now either and this has implications for dozens of different policy areas that trickle down to everyday Americans.
“How Life Became an Endless, Terrible Competition” (The Atlantic)
Because American meritocracy plays a part in a list of different issues like inequality, racism, class, employment, etc.
“We Need to Talk About Germany” (Foreign Affairs)
Because Germany is an economic powerhouse and a major player in any kind of coming recession. In this thoughtful essay, scholar Hans Kundnani responds to a previous think-piece from policy-wonk/historian Robert Kagan on where Germany may head post-Angela Merkel.
“A record 768 million US vacation days went to waste last year, a study says” (CNN)
Because for Americans privileged enough to receive vacation days, work and busyness are paramount.