Politics

This is a new section added in 2026 in recognition of the sheer volume of ‘politics’ in the world of today, threatening to upstage the main concerns explored elsewhere in the web site. I have found it impossible to refrain from commenting on all manner of matters, many connected with Donald Trump, with whom I have become mildly obsessed. For better or worse, some of the more reasonable items are reproduced here.

I have also had a long-standing fixation with the Israel/Palestine conflict, having friends on both sides. This causes me endless grief, and it has its own section here.

Then there is a general ‘Politics’ section with dozens of items. They overlap a lot — I can never remember what I have written even a few days before — so just just pick one or two and you’ll get the gist.

THE DONALD TRUMP SECTION

The re-election of Donald Trump was both a shock and a message. It was like the second tower of the world trade centre: this was not an accident, it’s deadly serious. I had already written compulsively in Mr Trump’s first term, but now I started again, beginning with some anticipations. Mr Trump was re-elected in November 2024, and took office in January 2025.

MAGA and Abortion March 2024

Donald Trump and Meritocracy August 2023

Why do people vote for Trump? September 2024

Mass Psychosis June 2024

The Trump Trial May 2024

But suddenly Donald Trump is back! And the gloves are off!

Trump Back November 2024

The Historical Significance of the Return of Donald Trump November 2024

Are the Trumpists just thick? November 2024

Is Trumpism the Default State? November 2024

Lawfare and the Post-Truth World December 20242025

What can we expect from a second Trump term? February

Donald Trump and Foreign Policy December 2025

A Trumpian Parable February 2026

Politics as Entertainment May 2026

Statecraft by Amateurs June 2026

Not so Much Liberal Hand-Wringing July 2026

UKRAINE

Here are some items on the situation in Ukraine, another minor obsession. I must confess to having a Ukrainian friend who is also my son’s Godfather, so it is not really a ‘far away country of which we know nothing’.

Putin and Ukraine

M.J Harper comments on Ukraine

Ukraine & Ireland and other disputed territories February 2025

THE PALESTINE/ISRAEL CONFLICT

This is one of the great tragedies of the last hundred years. It could have been very positive, but has turned into a life and death struggle between two admirable peoples. It’s awful, and I’m not even part of it. I think of myself as an honorary Jew, but my Arabic is better than my Hebrew and I am a great admirer of classical Islamic culture.

Hamas and the Massacres October 2023

Extremists in Ethnic Conflict December 2023

Israel and Palestine May 2024

A Middle East Fantasy October 2025

A TIRESOME BLOCKBUSTER

This one goes on a bit. And on, and on. And even then my friends-and-relations all say it’s snobbish and condescending. It’s still not finished. Oh well, for what it’s worth….

An autobiographical essay on class and politics in the UK June 2025

OTHER SHORT ESSAYS ON CONTEMPORARY POLITICS

All manner of other things, short essays musing on contemporary events. They are a bit repetitive, obsessive themes recur, so no need to read them all. Pick titles that take your fancy.

The ‘Left Behind’ November 2016

Republican Virtues March 2026

Multiple Reasons for the Growth of Populism February 2025

Features of the Counterculture August 2025

People are Lazy August 2023

Populism and Meritocracy (2023)

Rabbit Holes May 2026

The Left and Right July 2026

The Right’s View of the Left October 2022

The Spectacle July 2025

Demographics of Class in the UK

The Mamdani Effect November 2025