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Chris Patten

Chris Patten

Writing for PS since 2000
145 commentaries
3 videos & podcasts

Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong and a former EU commissioner for external affairs, is Chancellor of the University of Oxford and the author of The Hong Kong Diaries (Allen Lane, 2022).

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  1. Brexit Britain Confronts Reality
    patten144_Charles McQuillanGetty Images_sunaktruss Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

    Brexit Britain Confronts Reality

    Aug 18, 2022 Chris Patten holds out little hope that political leaders will offer voters an honest assessment of the country’s problems.

  2. The Pathologies of Long Boris
    patten143_ Carl CourtGetty Images_johnon Carl Court/Getty Images

    The Pathologies of Long Boris

    Jul 20, 2022 Chris Patten shows how the disgraced prime minister’s mendacious populism is shaping the race to succeed him.

  3. China Has Made Me Invisible
    patten142_MikeFialaAFPGettyImages_patten Mike Fiala/AFP/GettyImages

    China Has Made Me Invisible

    Jun 24, 2022 Chris Patten is not surprised by the CPC authorities’ ongoing attempts to rewrite Hong Kong’s history.

  4. China’s Cardinal Sins in Hong Kong
    patten141_ANTHONY WALLACEAFP via Getty Images_josephzen Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

    China’s Cardinal Sins in Hong Kong

    May 25, 2022 Chris Patten thinks the installation of a hardline chief executive and the arrest of a senior Catholic cleric mark a new low.

  5. France’s Presidential Election Matters for Us All
    patten140_Louise DelmotteGetty Images_french election Louise Delmotte/Getty Images

    France’s Presidential Election Matters for Us All

    Apr 18, 2022 Chris Patten argues that the second-round runoff on April 24 represents a crucial test for democracy.

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  1. signe10_ISSOUF SANOGOAFP via Getty Images_africatextilemanufacturing Issouf Sanogo/AFP via Getty Images
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    The Key to Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential

    Landry Signé explains why fostering trade integration and regional value chains is essential for the continent to prosper.
  2. james196_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_unitednations Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
    1

    Geopolitical Davids and Goliaths

    Harold James considers lessons from smaller countries about how to wield power and influence in the twenty-first century.
  3. barroso10_MAMYRAELAFP via Getty Images_covax MAMYRAEL/AFP via Getty Images
    1

    Preparing for the Next Global Catastrophe

    José Manuel Barroso explains why global leaders must focus on creating equitable response mechanisms ahead of the next crisis.
  4. bergamaschi2_ ALBERTO PIZZOLIAFP via Getty Images_heatwave italu ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
    0

    Italy’s Next Government Must Tackle Climate Security

    Luca Bergamaschi shows why the country’s politicians can no longer afford to ignore a major threat to national security.
  5. Tubiana13_Getty Images Getty Images
    3

    Europe and the New Non-Alignment

    Laurence Tubiana

    Despite the massive civilian suffering in Ukraine, many countries have been wary of taking sides, owing both to a perception of European double standards and to Russia’s leverage over energy and commodity prices. But while new geopolitical dynamics have complicated climate advocacy, they certainly haven't derailed it.

     sees both challenges and opportunities for climate policy in an era of geopolitical fragmentation.
  6. cliffe7_ EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_drought eastern africa EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images
    1

    The Sting of Climate Risk Is in the Tails

    Mark Cliffe thinks conventional models have overemphasized the long term at the expense of more immediate threats.
  7. agar7_Getty Images_ai teacher Getty Images
    3

    Should Humanities Professors Be Automated?

    Nicholas Agar considers the implications of recent successes with AI-generated academic research and writing.
  8. GettyImages-1242343947 SOPA Images / Contributor via Getty Images
    1

    Should Energy Companies’ Windfall Profits Be Taxed?

    Imposing a one-off tax on energy companies’ extraordinary profits might seem like a no-brainer at a time of soaring inflation, but the idea has more than a few detractors. As policymakers in a growing number of economies move ahead, we asked PS commentators whether they are right to do so.

  9. solana145_Nathan PosnerAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_biden Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
    10

    The Global Necessity of American Democracy

    Javier Solana shows why the political health of the United States has become a matter of global concern.

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