The Economist is a weekly British global affairs news magazine with a high-powered audience. (Its employment section in the same issue included an ad for the deputy chief executive of the U.N.’s pension fund, for example.)

That audience can read a description of Richmond that includes City Hall: “The slightly Stalinesque tower that houses the city’s government has seen a spate of corruption scandals.” It also refers to the city’s steadily growing homicide rate, sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy rates, and Wilder’s annual salary as mayor — $125,000.

The article, “A Walk on the Wilder Side,” argues that Wilder’s signature political rankling is not necessarily a bad thing, and certainly not something voters seem to object to. The magazine maintains that the real test will come when the extent of Wilder’s powers is settled and we see how he actually governs. Is the whole world watching? — Amy Biegelsen