2023 was a year of shocking developments on many fronts. From the surprise attack on Israel to the ongoing war in Ukraine and an increasingly likely conflict in South America, the world felt like it was unraveling in front of our eyes. Banks failed, credit card debt ballooned, inflation dissipated, and central banks “paused” their regular rhythm of raising rates - all while US consumers couldn’t get enough of Taylor Swift, Barbie or Oppenheimer. And, in a market with insufficient workers, organised labor flexed its muscle in the freight, airline, automobile and other industries.

In a yea...