In the last few years, it has become popular to say that history is determined largely by sweeping inanimate forces of technology, the environment, gender, class or race. We play down the role of individuals -- as if the notion that one person can shape history is old-fashioned. But that's hardly the case.
Take Nicolas Sarkozy, the new president of France. For 60 years, the power of the state in France had steadily increased. Government workers ...
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This is an excellent essay on the importance of leaders in the world today. Hanson points to three persons who are demonstrating this importance and makes a convincing case for his opinion. He picks a strong conservative in Nicolas Sarkozy, a far-left liberal in Ayaan Hirsi Ali and someone with no know political affiliation in General David Petraeus, showing that people across the political spectrum matter. A carefully argued opinion piece that rises well above the usual opinion columns in factual accuracy and context.
