and in India twice as many as in China.

That too is a powerful force of global change, and

will have its impact on Western politics of the future. As to what it all means for the next
French elections, I don't know. But this book provides part of the backdrop, economic and
political. It should make interesting reading for anyone involved in that campaign. Whilst
clearly still of the view Sarkozy was and is the right choice for France, (though the polls at
the time of writing indicate he is in a minority) he throws out ideas and challenges for right
and left alike. As traditional lines are drawn, careful reading might provoke candidates and
parties to see that they should always be looking to the next new ideas, not merely
repackaging the last new, let alone the old. I was in Paris recently as a guest of the left think
tank, Terra Nova, and met politicians, advisors, militants, experts, journalists and bloggers. I
came away with some strong impressions. Firstly, virtually everyone told me that President
Sarkozy was hugely unpopular, and his ratings as low as it was possible to go. Yet many of
the same people told me he could still win. They know he relishes a campaign. They suspect
he may have learned from some mistakes. Incumbency is a powerful weapon. A comeback
is a powerful narrative. And they