The Lion and the Unicorn

Readings in the Age of Empire The Lion and the Unicorn: Gladstone and Disraeli Richard Aldous W.W. Norton Politics is a spectator sport, akin to baseball or football, but with far greater consequences for the rest of us. After all, no matter how much one despises the New York Yankees, it doesn't really matter much if they win the "World" (too bad the rest of the world isn't actually invited to play!) Series. In contrast, if the Republicans win the White House in November, we could be at war with a half dozen countries by next spring. If the Democrats triumph, we might be paying more in taxes and sitting in gas lines by the same time. But what American politics lacks is the compelling drama of two strong leaders battling over a period of years or decades. One reason is our presidential rather than parliamentary system. After... [read full story]