Ginny

A favorite here – Lex notes in the ad to the left that Bennett’s The Anglosphere Challenge is “One of (the) most important books I have read in recent years” – inspired two current analyses. First is “Sphere of Influence?” by Keith Windschuttle in National Review. Second is Natalie Solent’s “Evolving political forms and common culture: the Anglosphere” at Samizdata.

Speaking, as Jonathan does, of Dalrymple, this seemed an interesting remark:

“If we live entirely in the moment, as if the world were created exactly as we now find it, we are almost bound to propose solutions that bring even worse problems in their wake.”

Dalrymple’s words reverberate nicely (reminding us of our adolescent, self-centered plans that so often failed despite our energy and good intentions). From his current City Journal article, “The Roads to Serfdom”, his bitterness arises from the uncomfortable fact Britain continues to ignore the good advice Hayek gave in WWII. Perhaps, given the breadth of affection for socialism (which he contends was confused with a sense of community prompted by the common enemy of the war), such insights could not have been appreciated. He acknowledges that in England, the government has moved beyond the role of husband, with his conclusion “Our Father, Which art in Downing Street.”