The first is that although the Welsh language flourishes (arguably because Welsh-medium schools offer a way for richer parents to enjoy academic selection), the region remains close to England, sharing, for example, the English press. (The Scots have their own newspapers.) And plenty of English newcomers are learning Welsh, drawn by those same good schools.

ECONOMIST: Wales and Scotland at the polls

Rather than rushing to arrest gang members, the police get close to the girlfriends, parents and siblings of gunmen and press them for information.

ECONOMIST: Firearms are going out of style

Despite a bit of bad press for its Model S and a less-than-ideal close to the 2012 financial year, things have been looking up for Tesla.

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