Countries like Nicaragua and Ecuador, both run by men with close allegiances to Chavez, are already heading down the path of anti-foreign statism, with predictable effects on American economic interests in those two countries.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The economics of Latin American populism

Scottish interests at Westminster are limited to taxation and economic management, welfare, defence and foreign affairs.

ECONOMIST: Scots in government

The lack of coherence also reflects the continuing argument between those who want human rights as a key part of foreign policy, and the pragmatists who want to concentrate on South Africa's direct political and economic interests.

ECONOMIST: South Africa