For a non-economist I watch quite a few economics based programs, though these are aimed at the lay public. In yesterday's reading of the Newcastle Herald, some witty columnist noted that 'economists were invented to make astrologers look good' a joke of course, but one which finds some purchase in real life. If an astrologer is correct it is only because the general nature of the 'prediction' could suit any number of scenarios. At least economists take the risk of being precise and basing there prognostications upon a rough kind of science. Chances are they will outdo any astrologer, particularly since the latter is based upon total nonsense.

But all this is a digression. Many economists have recently noted that liberal democracies have come under strain in the last couple of decades (and that this will likely worsen) because of changes in the market economy- to wit - the decline of traditional manufacturing in favour of a more 'advanced' economic model which highlights services. Educated younger people are well placed to benefit from these new opportunities, while a whole class of former industrial workers find themselves in unemployment queues. They become easily disgruntled with the system (and who can blame them) and easy marks for political charlatans of all stripes.

The rise of Trump, the popularity of buffoons like Johnson and Berlusconi - and the rise of even more dangerous characters, who are keen to take advantage of growing inequality, poses a serious challenge to democracy. It is easy to believe in slogans and lies, particularly large and flagrant ones. Democratic leaders would do well to address the problems that have arisen and will continue to arise, or the democratic experiment of the last two centuries will be a mere blip in the history of governance.