The Economist

Brazil’s elder statesman
Fernando Henrique Cardoso brought macroeconomic stability to Brazil as finance minister and then as president. A distinguished sociologist in his former life, he shares his thoughts on Brazil’s multiracial culture, the drug war and his relationship with the current president

A long time in politics
The Republican candidates debate, the Republicans of South Carolina vote in their primary and the president delivers his state-of-the-union address. In a week teeming with politics, our correspondents and bloggers provide live commentary on all of the action

Modern tragedy
A new film version of “Coriolanus” marks the directorial debut of Ralph Fiennes, who also plays the title role. He talks to us about Shakespeare’s contemporary relevance and wonders whether people are more interested in watching tragedy during times of economic hardship

United States: The value of a good education
How much would a high school education be worth on the free market?

Asia: Media after the meltdown
Japan’s hopelessly insular press club loses a little ground, increasing candour

Asia: Yam yesterday, yam today
Nepal has ever felt itself a “yam between two boulders” (the giants India and China) yet now hopes to benefit from its situation

Europe: We’ll always have Prague
Why so many Ukrainians, including Yulia Tymoshenko’s husband, make their homes in the Czech Republic

Europe: Down to earth
A corruption case may encourage Poles to think a little more soberly about their shale-gas revolution

Business: Sharper focus
How Fujifilm managed to reinvent itself

Finance: Average common denominator
If the euro zone stays together, an opportunity for a different sort of convergence play should emerge

Technology: Difference engine
America needs to boost dwindling water supplies with reclaimed stuff from sewage works. How to sell the idea to the public?

Finance: Owe dear
An updated interactive debt graphic shows how deeply in hock the big economies are

MBA diary: Start-up school for grown ups
It is a myth that entrepreneurs and business schools are incompatible

Technology: Something bad out of Africa
Google fails to live up to its motto in Kenya

Middle East: Entering the fray
The father of Gilad Shalit is to stand for Israel’s Knesset