Politico linkages

As is always the case, so many interesting things to read.  To follow-up on the brain candy, journalism-style, post of two weeks ago, here's one on politics for y'all.  Happy Friday.

1. The FT reviews Donald Savoie's new book, Power: Where is it?, and made me want to read it (it's yet to have been nominated for our list of Best Canadian Political Writing - any takers?). A wide survey on the decline of representative democracy and the hollowing out of our political institutions in Canada and beyond, Savoie's clearly concerned about Parliament and wants more of us to be as well. As the FT reviewer writes, "we now have a cacophony of centres of influence all vying to be heard and it is increasingly difficult to find out who is in charge." Or who is to blame.

2. And speaking of cris de coeur, Tony Judt's final book, Ill Fares the Land, is a must-read, regardless of your personal politics. Written in haste, before ALS took away his ability to communicate and ultimately his life, it forces anyone who lived during the 20th century to reflect on what we did or did not learn from it all. In particular, pay attention to the chapter entitled "The Unbearable Lightness of Politics."  Here's a link to a mini-version, but it doesn't cover the half of it.

3. From the New Yorker, a piece that ponders the state of the U.S. Senate.

4. Via Susan Delacourt, a piece that ponders the state of Washington.  Like the New Yorker article above, it uses "broken" in the title.

5. And just for fun, 'cause the above is all a little depressing for a summer day, "Where are all the hottie politicians?" by Jonathan Naymark. Jonathan doesn't blog enough, but when he does, I promise you'll laugh.

Feel free to add your own below.