Required Reading

It is a sign of the Economist's greatness that every decade or so a well-respected American writer (usually one from the left) feels compelled to put it down. The latest to do so was James Fallows, who identified the magazine's strong editorial stance -- which spills over into its news coverage with abandon -- as a major weakness. Far from it. While The Economist's editorial board sometimes puts forth ridiculous proposals, in so doing they stick by the conclusions that spring from the logic inherent in their deeply held beliefs and provoke the reader to think for himself or herself.

While the publication's staff members (who do not byline their pieces) sometimes pepper their articles with obscure Britishims, their style is, on the whole, very well done. Those who wish to learn from it are in luck, for The Economist publishes -- in both online and offline form -- a manual of style. Articles are chock full of facts and tend, on balance, to be brief. To do both those things while still taking a stance on the issues at hand and writing in a lively voice is no small achievement.

In addition, The Economist frequently attracts leading thinkers to pen guest editorials. While many of these (like economists Jagdish Bhagwati, Paul Krugman, and Jeff Sachs) may disagree with one another and with the magazine's editorial stand, their writing is always food for thought and, to the extent that they make policy or influence those who do, should be required reading for those who want to stay current. I also recommend the related annual, which typically features an authors list that includes the likes of Bill Gates.

The one complaint that many will have about The Economist is its price. There exists a student rate of under $100 (still expensive) and in the event, The Economist is worth every penny.