01/03/2011

John Galliano's anti-Semitic remarks could have turned into a full scale diplomatic crisis. Why? Because, as any fashionista knows, Dior - who he designs for - is the label worn by one Mrs Sarkozy. Carla Bruni started life as a Dior model and has remained loyal to the house ever since. As things turned out, Dior was not prepared to see a YouTube video start a new war in the Middle East. They sacked Galliano earlier today. And the first lady of France is now free to wear Dior again. Anyway, I write that in passing because there are, as you know, currently more pressing diplomatic affairs at hand. Tonight, Niall Ferguson, author of Civilization, will help us examine the role of the West in the revolution in the Arab world - and explain what history can tell us about why certain cultures appear to dominate the world at certain times. We'll also be asking whether the government's done enough in its adjustment to the international development aid budget to allay criticism that we are funnelling money into dodgy dictatorships and into countries that are economically far more successful than we are. Plus, the European Court of Justice has declared it is discriminatory to charge women less than men for their car insurance. Women are better drivers. Men die younger. What's wrong with discrimination within the free market?