In Britain a crucial economic decision – the government taking over control of the steel industry – requires the recall of Parliament to endorse it; which it did today. Over in the USA the President, entirely on his own, makes deep and sweeping economic changes – mainly the imposition of tariffs – under the terms of an emergency law passed years ago, and intended to be used only in case of war; without Congress getting a look in. Which is the more genuine ‘democracy’?

On another but related topic, here’s a piece on Trump’s and Vance’s current attack on the Smithsonian: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/14/at-the-smithsonian-donald-trump-takes-aim-at-history.

Eric Blair – thou shouldst be living at this hour.