“Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that as countries modernize…” — Martin Jacques

Europe must learn to live in and with the world, not to dominate it nor to assume it is superior or more virtuous.

Australia - not western in geography, of course, but in every other respect for sure (it certainly doesn't want to be regarded as Asian, God forbid) - loves nothing more than to throw its weight around in South-East Asia by playing peacekeeper, carrying out its role as the United States' regional policeman.

It is much easier to learn another language when you are young, enthusiastic and unembarrassed.

With the United States in slow long-term decline, how will that affect the position of English? And where will all that leave monolingual Britain? Our political leaders like to boast about how global Britain is, but when it comes to languages, it is near the bottom of the global league, together with another island state, Japan.