The article discusses the trend of applying private sector standards to public organizations, focusing on the United Nations (UN) and its adoption of business models and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). It critiques the UN's shift towards efficiency and financial metrics to measure the success of its aid programs, particularly in light of its significant debt. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are examined, questioning their achievability and the influence of the tech sector and management consulting in setting constantly changing goals and metrics. The article also touches on the UN Global Compact, which envisions private sector involvement in UN programs, and the need for substantial funding to track progress on the SDGs. The author, Mary Clare O'Donnell, raises concerns about the effectiveness of statistical analysis in addressing global issues like poverty and inequality, and whether the focus on data and market penetration overlooks the root causes of these problems.

The article discusses the widespread protests in France against labor reforms introduced by President Emmanuel Macron. Macron's reforms aimed to make French labor laws more flexible for companies, easing the process of firing employees, which he argued would reduce unemployment. However, these reforms have been met with significant resistance from the public, with hundreds of thousands protesting in the streets. The article also touches on the rise of alt-right nationalism in Europe and the decline of the working class following industrial decline. It highlights the historical strength of French labor protections and suggests that Macron's reforms represent a broader neoliberal assault on labor. The article implies that the future of European labor and the political landscape, including the potential rise of nationalist populism, will be heavily influenced by how labor issues are addressed.