Monocle’s second Quality of Life Conference kicked off in Vienna with a set of urban provocations. Here are Monocle’s top 10 city fixes.

How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide reveals all you need to make a happy, vibrant and successful nation. It’s a book that delivers inspiration whether you are a new citizen or a freshly elected PM. Monocle films goes behind the scenes to talk to the editors of the book and look inside the covers. Available to order now at [The Monocle Shop](https://monocle.com/shop/books-and-music/books/how-to-make-a-nation-a-monocle-guide/).

Monocle’s new book, “How to Make a Nation: A Monocle Guide”, explores all the elements you need to make a happy, vibrant and successful country. From designing a better parliament to choosing a flag, creating social capital to taking care of our young and old, this is a book about the small – and big – things that can make our nations work better for everyone who calls them home. Buy now at [The Monocle Shop](https://monocle.com/shop/books-and-music/books/how-to-make-a-nation-a-monocle-guide/).

As Perth attempts to shed its reputation for being nothing more than a mining city we explore the architecture, art and hospitality initiatives that are shaping this outpost.

Like many sovereign states, the Holy See pursues an active foreign policy. We visit the Vatican's foreign ministry, where world peace is always on the agenda.

To find out more about the Vatican’s foreign ministry, read our [article](http://monocle.com/magazine/issues/90/vatican-foreign-policy-keep-the-faith/).

While flexing military and economic muscle can yield the most dramatic changes, a nation’s soft power can achieve more worthwhile outcomes. Our sixth annual survey puts the spotlight on the nations that use their gentler sides to gain influence.

Once a byword for all that ailed African nations, Ethiopia is again playing to its strengths – and its booming capital, Addis Ababa, is at the centre of the resurgence.

Warsaw’s dour-from-afar image is dispelling as a new generation of makers, restaurateurs and start-ups help to redefine Poland’s capital.

With its drip-filter coffee, myriad craft shops and quality fishing scene, Hokkaido’s capital reels you in with a laidback lifestyle and a strong stroke of creativity.

What’s it like being a second city? On duty for The Escapist, Robert Bound found Chiang Mai to be an ancient town with a contemporary buzz of bars, bands and boxers, wonderful food and beautiful girls on scooters. It doesn’t feel like it’s in a race with Bangkok, or anywhere else for that matter.