Politics
-
What’s in a Name? Japan’s Single Surname Law Faces a Modern Reckoning
In a world where most countries leave the decision of shared surnames up to personal preference or a level of social expectation, Japan remains a striking outlier. It is the only country in the world that legally requires married couples to adopt a single surname. Whilst the law technically allows either partner’s name to be… Continue reading
-
Are We Living in an Accelerated Version of the 80s?Money, Fashion, and Class Politics in the Age of Aesthetic Re-runs
The 1980s were famously defined by Gordon Gekko’s immortal line in the 1987 movie Wall Steet: “Greed is good.” Finance bros, leveraged buyouts, and the yuppie lifestyle came to represent the era’s unapologetic worship of wealth. Today, the same ethos persists- except it’s wrapped in pastel hues, designer logos, and TikTok-ready “Get Ready With Me”… Continue reading
-
VAT Reversal: A Relief for Consumers, But at What Cost?
When South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana formally withdrew the proposed VAT hike earlier this year, many South Africans felt a sense of relief. With living costs climbing and economic growth stagnating, the idea of paying more at the till was understandably unpopular. Scrapping the 0.5 percentage point VAT increase spares households some pain—but it… Continue reading
-
A Modern Twist on Old Tensions: The Complicated Allure of the Far Right
“History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes” – Mark Twain. Eight EU member states—Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Austria—now have far-right parties as part of their governing coalitions. In Germany, a political party flagged as potentially ‘extremist’ by authorities recently secured a state election victory. Far-right parties also… Continue reading
-
Not all that shines is gold: The hidden history of the Olympic Games
The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”– Pierre de Coubertin (1894) As I sit on the couch, popcorn in hand, critiquing the flawless flips and gravity-defying feats of the gymnasts on my screen, it’s hard not to be swept… Continue reading
-
From Ballots to Blogs
How one of the most divisive election cycles in South Africa since the dawn of democracy in 1994 finally sparked the decision to start a blog. Understandably, it’s a strange intersection point – how my own deeply personal internal concerns around the political (and socio-economic) future of the country I love so much finally… Continue reading
Bacchus MindEconomy Chronicle 