20th of September this year marks not only my birthday but also the end of a week that featured 3 referenda from various parts of the world and the the biggest ever IPO in the history of the capital markets. Viewing it all from the beautiful city of Seattle means I am somewhat detached from it all but it doesn’t stop you from wondering about the behaviour of herds. First up in this global display of the joys of democratic expression was in the Melanesian paradise of Fiji, a state which has had more coups than a flock of pigeons, and which was having its first election since Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in the most recent coup in 2006. The voting papers featured the candidates as numbers, Frank triumphed with 60% of the votes, and the regional powers of Australia and New Zealand wondered if their sanctions and rhetoric … Continue reading 3 elections & a melee (with apologies to Hugh Grant)