The World

As well as all the numerous and dauntingly learned contributions on American empire, provoked by my post earlier this week, various people have asked me – "What have you got against Bono?"

This is a tricky question for two reasons. First, if I start explaining in too much detail, I will use all the material I am planning to save up for my column. (This is an inherent problem with this "crowdsourcing" exercise, that I’ll have to think my way around.) The second reason is even less creditable. Thinking about it, my objections to Bono are largely incoherent, and possibly indefensible.

It all dates back to a particularly terrible U2 concert that I went to at the Camden Electric Ballroom in (I think) 1978. I took an instant dislike to Bono. And I must say it never occurred to me that the man would emerge as a global rock star and much lauded anti-poverty campaigner.

I know it is hard to object to someone campaigning to relieve poverty in Africa – but I intend to try. My impression is that Bono is a grand-standing poseur – who has intimidated otherwise blameless bankers and politicians into taking him seriously, through sheer force of celebrity. Sitting on my desk is a depressing pile of material that I intend to work my way through at some point: a guest edition of "Vanity Fair" edited by Bono, a book called "Bono on Bono" (reason enough to bridle, surely); another called "On the Move", also by Bono; various tomes on development.

I am sure that there will be no shortage of ammunition in these books. But the bigger question that I need to think about is whether my objections to Bono are purely stylistic – or whether there is a broader critique of the Bono view of the world.

My impression is that Bono has basically adopted the mainstream NGO view of poverty in the developing world. He sees the key to relieving poverty as more aid, more trade and more debt relief. And that some of what he says is true, and some of it is grossly over-simplified. This all sounds a bit ho-hum.

So let me break it down into a series of questions, and issue the usual appeal for evidence and views:

1) Should we even bother to listen to celebrities like Bono on big political and social questions? Do they play a useful role?

2) Is Bono insufferably pleased with himself? (Actually, I think I can answer this one for myself.)

3) Has Bono had any real influence? Evidence?

4) Is there a Bono world view? And if so does it make sense?

All views welcome – particularly those that support my initial prejudices.