Rattus cannot remember a time when the world faced so many crises but seemed so incapable of fixing them.

Even in the financial crash of 2008 with people queuing to get their money out of Northern Rock the world leaders took appropriate action and rescued us from total economic collapse.

Today seems different. Will crypto currencies be the next failure?

Though the condemnation of Russia and the bravery of the Ukrainians is to be applauded there are several countries on the brink of meltdown.

We need a new world order with more power to the Liberal democracies and their ability to put serious pressure on autocratic regimes and gangster States. We only need China to try and take over Taiwan and we have real problems.

None of this is completely without hope but our current leaders and most of the leaders of the western world look weak and ineffective. So many countries are divided. The United States may have said goodbye to Trump but has just reversed 50 years of Liberal Policy on abortion and will struggle to prevent the idiot returning.

It is time for people to stand up for decency and integrity in politics and to collaborate for common good where they can. Our whole political system needs reform.

As hard working people on low wages, often in the public sector, struggle to feed their families or heat their homes in a world of galloping inflation, the rich and powerful need to give up some of their inflated salaries and bonuses. Young people can’t buy houses because the wealthy demand second homes and staycations and no one is building any low cost housing.

Rattus jokes that civilization will collapse and rats take over. An increasingly complex and interdependent world needs new institutions and new rules to avoid catastrophe.

Rattus rattus