The Good European: On Jürgen Habermas The Good European: On Jürgen Habermas
German “ordoliberalism” and Eurocrats have the EU on the brink, but Germany’s most famous philosopher remains optimistic about European democracy.
Jul 10, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Anson Rabinbach
Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney: Together at Last Ronald Reagan and Walt Disney: Together at Last
There’s a new Disney exhibit at the Reagan library. But what are drawings of Bambi and Cinderella doing in the National Archives?
Jul 10, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jon Wiener
Sheldon Adelson’s Free Speech Sheldon Adelson’s Free Speech
“Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson is on the brink of reaching $71 million in contributions thus far in this election cycle.” —Roll Call Yes, money is speech, so the Court has decreed. While Adelson thinks this is splendid, The rest of us wonder, as cash calls the tune, Is this what the Framers intended?
Jun 27, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Landlocked: On American Property Landlocked: On American Property
In the secret history of property law, property rests on the authority of the state.
Jun 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Hendrik Hartog
Impossible to Tell: On Robert Pinsky Impossible to Tell: On Robert Pinsky
Robert Pinsky’s Selected Poems shows that being popular doesn't entail being predictable.
Jun 25, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jeremy Bass
The Likability Factor The Likability Factor
“The polls agree: President Barack Obama is likable. The question is whether he’s likable enough to get re-elected.” — Politico It’s said, as a rule, the most likable guy Is likely the guy who’ll pull through. And, given the candidates now set to try, The Democrats hope that is true. Though voters, polls show, think Obama is cool And Romney is colder than ice, More likable’s not an infallible tool. Remember: Dick Nixon won twice.
Jun 14, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann A Vast Choir of Voices: On Claude Lanzmann
In his memoir, The Patagonian Hare, the Shoah director’s life upstages his masterwork.
Jun 13, 2012 / Books & the Arts / David Rieff
A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’ A Crisis of Spirit in the Age of ‘Colbert’
The values of the market have come to permeate every aspect of our society.
Jun 6, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner
Business Experience Business Experience
Last week, Mitt Romney floated an idea at a campaign rally in Las Vegas: the future president should be required to have three years of business experience before serving in office. —The Washington Post Experience in business is vital, said Mitt— Three years at the least, in the plan he unveiled. Though Truman’s accomplishments seem to suggest The business in question would have to have failed.
Jun 6, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets The Higher Bealism: The Moral Limits of Markets
Why are moral and political thinkers failing to engage with the true, dispiriting scale of market sovereignty?
Jun 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Chris Lehmann