Two and a half centuries later, the father of liberalism is still seen as an icon, but his thought binds market and society together far more than the standard interpretation suggests

Despite progress, the gap between men and women remains significant. Across work, careers and access to opportunities, structural and cultural barriers still weigh heavily. And these are barriers that policy alone cannot overcome

Urban centers offer opportunities but distribute them unequally. Gaps persist in income, services, healthcare, culture, and inclusion. While regeneration improves cities, it can also displace vulnerable residents and deepen inequality.

It is neither a recent nor a temporary phenomenon: disparities are rooted in long-term historical processes that make them persistent and difficult to correct. Since the late 1970s, their rise has reflected deep changes in economic and social systems — but history also shows that they can be reduced

Caught between the United States and China, the island’s future also affects Europe’s autonomy in strategic raw materials and emerging global dependencies