This was the year when political labels lost all meaning. With governments of all persuasions nationalising banks and pumping money into the economy what now distinguishes left from right, liberal from conservative, socialist from capitalist, Keynesian from monetarist?
The only meaningful classification - particularly apt at this time of year - is to sort politicians according to the contents of your chocolate box. The great political divides of our times are clearly between milk and dark chocolate, and the personal distinctions between hard and soft centres. Those Anglo-American capitalists like to over-consume sugary milk chocolate with a high comfort factor but little nutritional value. Continental European politicians have a taste for more bitter dark chocolate with less fat and a bit of a bite. It is only when crisis strikes that we discover whether politicians have a tough or a squishy core.
To broaden the confectionery analogy to individual politicians, Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, is surely a toffee. You cannot quite remember why you chose this sweet because no matter how hard you chew it keeps sticking to your teeth. He might also make off with your dental fillings.
Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor, is more the sugared almond of the political world: seemingly sweet, if tough, on the outside and tougher on the inside.
Vladimir Putin, Russia's prime minister, is the cherry liqueur chocolate. He is the last one left in the box, seems quite reassuring, and then explodes in your mouth making you want to choke.
With little time for chocolate, US President George W. Bush is more of a chewing gum guy. He is comforting at first but then becomes increasingly irritating, loses his flavour and becomes impossible to get rid of.
But most politicians' favourite indulgence is evidently fudge.
By John Thornhill