Issue 154
January 2009
Contents
A progressive manifesto
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Through misreadings and mistranslations, the ten commandments have come to be seen as the rantings of a vain and vengeful God. In fact, they are an early blueprint for self-government forged by refugees escaping tyranny
The art of prize-fighting
Prizes are a vital part of the modern market for serious literature, but they're also increasingly flawed and compromised
All cannot have prizes
Charles Murray, the controversial conservative social scientist, has turned his fire on the belief that almost anyone can excel academically. But his latest book is hastily written, largely unconvincing and possibly immoral
Comment (1)Making banks boring again
17th January 2009 — Issue 154In the modern financial services industry, banks have become casinos attached to utilities. The aim of any regulatory overhaul should be a rigorous separation of the two, with protection only to be extended to retail customers
The classical bazaar
Seldom has writing about the classical world been so popular, and so good. And most of the writers are interested in it for its own sake
Science wakes up to sleep
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Scientists have made strides to unravel one of life's great mysteries: why sleep matters. New studies reveal how health, creativity and memory all depend on a good night's rest. And with sleep deprivation now seen as a form of torture, political attitudes are changing too
Where do we go from here?
A return to selfish nationalism is possible. If we are to avoid this sombre outcome, we must find ways to rub the rough edges off globalisation
Oil and troubled waters
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Plagued by piracy, Islamic extremism and endless civil war, surely it can't get any worse for Somalia? It might if they find oil in the province of Puntland
A political Paul
17th January 2009 — Issue 154The Beatle talks about schooldays, the 1960s, 9/11, FR Leavis and the responsibilities of wealth and celebrity with his old schoolmate Jonathan Power
An intellectual surge
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Thinking up the surge, "winning" the war in Iraq, and rethinking America's military strategy. David Petraeus is a worthy pick for Prospect's public intellectual of 2008
What's the big idea?
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Crowdsourcing, nudging and mass collaborating jostled eagerly. But was 2008 a vintage year for ideas books? It was a mixed bag—and perhaps not serious enough
How should we rate 2008?
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Which political and cultural events have been most overrated and underrated this year? We asked 100 Prospect writers
How should we rate 2008? (2)
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Which political and cultural events have been most overrated and underrated this year? We asked 100 Prospect writers
How should we rate 2008? (3)
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Which political and cultural events have been most overrated and underrated this year? We asked 100 Prospect writers
How should we rate 2008? (4)
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Which political and cultural events have been most overrated and underrated this year? We asked 100 Prospect writers
Paul McCartney: a preview
Prospect's interview between Paul McCartney and his old school-friend Jonathan Power has made headlines around the world. Read the first 1,000 words for free here
Labour's golden myth
Since the Wilson years, Labour have revered Attlee's 1945 government. But, as a new history by Giles Radice suggests, the modern party must shed this uncritical fascination if it is to win a fourth term
Victorian celebrity
Toby Young may be right that modern society is ruled by a celebrity elite. But so were the Victorians.
Obamabot, meet nostradumbass
The last decade has been bleak for fans of linguistic sloganeering. But, spurred on by Obama's election and crunch, 2008 has been better.
A dedicated leader of fashion
Currently celebrating its 20th birthday, Martin Margiela is the most radical, chic name in fashion. And if you've never heard of him—well, that's all part of the plan
Letter from the West Bank
The Israeli army can destroy Gaza. But they will find the real battle for the future of Israel and Palestine, in the West Bank, much harder to win
Muslim misperceptions
The Muslim world howls at the injustice of Gaza. But their reaction is inconsistent, while Israel's attacks are surprisingly humane and effective
Gaza's brief honeymoon
What might have happened to Gaza had Israel granted it real independence after its withdrawal in 1994?
The case for an international agency
The stalemate between Israel and Gaza is unlikely to be resolved either by Hamas, Israel or the UN. It is time to ask: could the creation of a temporary international agency dedicated to enforcing peace be the solution?
Remembering John Mortimer
The celebrated author of Rumpole of the Bailey has died at the age of 85, after packing more into one life than most men would manage in three
Sounds good
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Obama's inauguration speech is unlikely to disappoint. His words may be unremarkable; his delivery won't be
All change for Britain's railways
Even America is investing in high-speed rail. It's time Britain did the same, says the transport minister
Mumbai's bloodied elite
17th January 2009 — Issue 154The Mumbai attacks hit India's rich the hardest. They may now take democracy more seriously
Getting our houses in order
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Protesters occupy airports. But old fashioned loft insulation is more important than stopping flying
As good as Heaney
It's easy to be blinded by the dazzle of Clive James's many talents. Yet his most enduring claim to greatness is not his novels, satire or journalism, but his exquisite essays and poems
The courage to be afraid
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Dexter Filkins has produced an astonishing book about Iraq: an account that tells us everything we don't want to know
Desert storms
17th January 2009 — Issue 154The prophet Muhammad's love life is a sensitive subject. But was the book Random House decided not to publish worth all the fuss?
Tomorrow I shall be sober
Kingsley Amis was one of the great drinkers of the 20th century—opinionated, blustering, offensive, and rarely less than hilarious
Widescreen
I keep seeing the word "porno" in huge letters on the side of buses. Am I justified in feeling that its normalisation is bad for cinema and bad for society?
Performance notes
The next five years will see an avalanche of anniversaries—which only serve to highlight the fact that the glories of classical music lie in the past
Smallscreen
BBC drama and Channel 4 documentaries could be your best allies during the credit crunch. Just don't let Niall Ferguson write your one-liners
The Ghost
17th January 2009 — Issue 154Since my father died, something has been wrong with my son. At least, I hope it's something wrong with him
Matters of taste
What will the credit crunch do for our eating habits? Sweep away some of the mega-chain restaurants; help us rediscover the joys of mince and cheap cuts; create a new new cuisine
Washington watch
It turns out that Obama didn't win because of a surge in young or black voters, or small-time donors. Meanwhile, Sarah Palin is dynamite with the folks in Georgia
Letter from Georgia
The would-be border between South Ossetia and Georgia is being entrenched. Will the Georgian government own up to its role in the war and help the displaced return home?
This sporting life
It's time to tackle the cost of the 2012 Olympics. Let's start by opening the books. Plus, Michel Platini switches sides on the regulation of European football—for now
Crisis watch
If we are to educate people in finance to avoid future sub-prime crises, there's no better source text that Beatrix Potter's financial fable, "The Tale of Ginger and Pickles"
China café
Religion in Chinese public life can be a delicate balancing act. My neighbours still managed to put on an early Christmas service—complete with a deafening brass band
Lab report
Does dark matter exist? New evidence from cosmic rays is promising but inconclusive. And in five years' time, one company hopes to sequence our genomes while we wait
Brussels diary
Doesn't everyone think Gordon Brown did well in the financial crisis? Er, no—Jean-Claude Juncker doesn't. Plus, does the EU need super-commissioners?
Confessions
Obama's transition looks serene. But, underneath, people like me are trampling on friends and principles in a desperate scrabble to work in highway reconstruction policy
