Economist 2016.10.31

1. Social Mobility - A Class Apart

Social mobility has been a long term pledge for British political leaders, including Theresa May. From historical perspectives, UK has observed gaps among social classes and this trend has turned worse in recent years. Wealthier parents tend to raise better off children than their peers.

Education plays an important part in breaking through the social layers. The convergence of results between rich and poor children sheds lights on the government's measures in fighting social immobility. Unpaid jobs that give work experiences to people regardless of their backgrounds help close the gaps, offering them greater opportunities.

The author also repeatedly emphasises that social mobility is a two way traffic, that pulling poor children up from the bottom means to make unqualified rich children redundant and out of their current class.

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2. Canada's example to the world - Liberty moves north

Austerity: a set of economic policies implemented with the aim of reducing government budget deficits.

Wellspring: a good source of something.

The author put Canada's policies side-by-side with a list of countries, and deemed Canada as more advanced and open in terms of policies for immigrants and trades, and economy. He also regarded Canada as logically liberal.

The geographical advantages of Canada has made it easier to implement laxed foreign affair policies. Nevertheless it is also facing the same economic competitions from Asia, as well as terrorism and an aged population. A few takeaways that Canada can teach the world:

1) Help new immigrants integrate into the society.

2) Government spending places emphasis on income re-distribution and promotes general welfare.

3) Leaders' openness to critics.

In a nutshell, Canada demonstrates tolerance and openness that are indispensable in earning the world's respect.