You've hit several nails on the head: on the international stage, we act as though we were vastly superior to the ‘developing countries’, the ‘emerging economies’ and the ‘Third World’ in terms of social and ethical standards, our business practices and democratic accountability. We are not. Perhaps we never were. We are lying! We are also lying to ourselves.

We have no functioning opposition. We have a clique of political parties that revels in its own fine words and enjoys temporary power.

And yes, there are a few idealistic politicians who cannot keep their heads above water for long in this quagmire...