A keen, harsh, funny look at American politics
Journalist Lewis Lapham writes some of the most perceptive political analysis in our time. The articles are funny but the message is serious.s
lewis lapham
Lewis Lapham explains why America needs a Third Republic
Summary: Not all the attackers of the Constitution are enemies of the people, or even of the Republic. After 200 years, some believe the Constitution has outlived its usefulness, its weaknesses outweigh its strengths. The rotten boroughs of the Senate, the perhaps unlimited growth of the Executive power, the too-vague limits on judicial authority — perhaps …
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Clay Shirky is brilliant and American – hence often delusionally flattering
America’s broken Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action loop (aka OODA loop; see Wikipedia for details) affects us all, distorting our ability to see even simple things. It’s most clearly seen in experts writing about their own fields. Today’s example is Clay Shirky, one of America’s top writers about the evolution of the news media. See his Wikipedia entry and bio about his background …
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A phrasebook for translating Washington into English
Here’s a helpful guide for American’s reading the latest news from Washington, provide by Lewis Lapham in his book Lights, Camera, Democracy! (2001) — a book I strongly recommend every American read. Although written many years ago, it’s still current because nothing significant has changed. These things are important to understand. As accurate diagnosis must precede a cure, …
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Another look in the mirror at America
Today’s reading explains the origins of American’s dysfunctional public policy, from Lewis Lapham’s Lights, Camera, Democracy! (2001), a book I strongly recommend every American read. He paints portraits of us. Insightful, although they’re seldom pretty.   Let’s hope they’ll help shock us back to consciousness. Excerpt from Chapter One – Versailles on the Potomac Every administration has no choice but …