Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Mead on the pessimism of today’s liberal elites
For the past year or so, Walter Russell Mead has written extensively on The American Interest website about the steady disintegration of the post-New Deal social order, which he calls the “blue social model”. Mead, a professor at Bard College and a prolific blogger, argues that we cling to old notions, even as our economy and society have […]
The inauguration of illiberal liberalism
President Obama’s inaugural speech confirmed that he plans to keep waging an elite Culture War against “backward” values. Read my spiked article in full here.
Newtown: a “9/11 for gun control”?
Both liberals and the right responded to the dreadful Sandy Hook massacre by denigrating liberty. Read my spiked article in full here.
Some thoughts on the current situation
As we enter a New Year, I’ve been reflecting about the past year or so in politics, and wondering where things might head in 2013. I thought I would share some points that came to mind about our situation today. “Events” Politics seem more event-driven. By this, I mean that a particular incident or news item can drive […]
A bad cliffhanger
The US “fiscal cliff” talks were depicted as a tense dash to save America, but in truth all the big questions were left out. Read my spiked article in full here.
A bad cliffhanger
Congress and the President went past its own deadline of midnight on December 31st, but a day later reached a deal on the so-called “fiscal cliff”. With its vote late on Tuesday night, the House of Representatives joined the Senate in approving legislation that will avoid tax increases for most Americans and scheduled cuts in […]
Driving off the fiscal cliff?
As many predicted, the “fiscal cliff” negotiations are going down to the wire. Congress and the President have until the end of 2012 to agree a deal that would prevent tax rises and budget cuts. But this brinkmanship does not find Americans sitting on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the outcome. The sight […]
The consensus after Newtown: let’s curtail freedom
Following the mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, there appears to be a great debate going on between those who want to see greater controls on guns, and those who are opposed to such controls. But a focus on the back-and-forth arguments over guns overlooks the fact that there is an underlying consensus in the response. […]
America: the decline of politics, the rise of tribes
Bush was booed for chasing after the votes of certain racial and cultural groups. Obama is cheered for doing the exact same thing. Read my spiked article in full here.
A small victory in a small campaign
Barack Obama has returned to the White House following one of the most acrimonious, negative and ideas-free campaigns in living memory. Read my spiked article in full here.