The success of the welfare state system in Northern Europe—integrating economic vitality, social security, and political confidence—is the result of a combination of factors that most larger countries find difficult to replicate. The secret isn’t one particular policy, but an interlocking social investment ecosystem, where government, business, and labor each make commitments that reinforce each other’s credibility.

China’s rapid economic growth has been driven by both central and provincial governments, but the latter's role in fueling the nation's development has also created an increasingly concerning problem—provincial debt. Although this debt has been mostly been the resulting of financing essential infrastructure projects and stimulating local economies, the long-sighted impact of this debt may destroy the economic stability of China.

Imagine you’re about to sign a lease on your dream apartment, only to have the landlord hesitate when they see a three-digit number on your application. That little sequence—your credit score—can open doors to the best interest rates or slam them shut, forcing you into a high-cost world of fees and higher payments. But what exactly is a credit score, and why does it wield so much power over your financial give life?