WQ MEXICAN THE WILSON QUARTERLY SURVEYING THE WORLD OF IDEAS MOMENTUM

HEROES AND DRONES

THE NEIGHBORHOOD RENAISSANCE

AUTUMN 2013 W THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 SURVEYING THE WORLD OF IDEAS V. 37, NUMBER 4 Q PUBLISHED BY THE WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS

COVER STORY FEATURES MEXICAN MOMENTUM WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE by TOM VANDERBILT Drug wars and illegal immigrants often come In the digital age, physical neighborhoods to mind when people think of Mexico. But big are more important than ever. changes are occurring under President Enrique Peña Nieto, the standard-bearer of the once au- HEROES AND DRONES tocratic political party that ruled Mexico for most by F. S. NAIDEN of the 20th century. Will the momentum last? Drones are only the latest weapons to raise age-old questions about the moral and practical implications of long-range warfare.

EDITOR’S COMMENT

FINDINGS

IN ESSENCE Our survey of notable articles from other journals and magazines 1. DRUG DEALS by STEVEN DUDLEY CURRENT BOOKS Reviews of new and noteworthy nonfiction 2. PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY ABOUT US by ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Woodrow Wilson 3. RAISING LÁZARO International Center for Scholars. by DUNCAN WOOD ABOVE LEFT: Juana Emilia Perez (far left) watches her son compete in a rodeo in Oaxaca. Photograph: Dana Romanoff / Getty 4. THE OTHER IMMIGRANTS ON THE COVER: A fan cheers for Mexico during by JESUS VELASCO the 2006 World Cup. Photograph: Magics / Action Press / ZUMA Press / Newscom EDITOR’S COMMENT STEVEN LAGERFELD is the editor of The Wilson WELCOME TO THE Quarterly. Before joining the magazine’s staff in the NEIGHBORHOOD 1980s, he worked at The Public Interest and the Insti- When Tom Vanderbilt’s essay on tute for Educational Affairs. His articles and reviews have neighborhoods arrived on my desk, I appeared in The Atlantic, immediately thought of the popular Harper’s, The New Republic, television series Mister Rogers’ Neigh- The Wall Street Journal, and borhood. The show’s appeal was limited other publications. pretty exclusively to the 3-to-5-year-old set, leaving millions of parents to en- living there turned it into an idea and, dure painful hours of the treacly host ultimately, a community, going so far and his spun-sugar world. But despite as to formalize ties that had grown at this divide, Fred Rogers (the host’s the school-bus stops and over evening real name) put his finger on something drop-bys at a social club (the Frolickers) that seems universal: an abiding desire that still blessedly survives. It’s a sur- for a safe and welcoming place beyond prisingly wonderful thing to make the family. friends with people from a few blocks My own children never took to Mis- away whom you’d normally never even ter Rogers’ imaginary neighborhood, meet. Vanderbilt tells a similar tale and that might have had something to about Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill, which do with the fact that they were lucky became a neighborhood after area enough to live in a real one. Yet as they residents perceived a threat from de- grew up I realized that real neighbor- velopment and invented a name and hoods are fundamentally a lot like identity for the place where they lived. Mister Rogers’—they aren’t so much It became a community. places as acts of imagination. In Franklin Forest, just as in Mister Franklin Forest, the suburban Rogers’ neighborhood and in Cobble neighborhood where I live, was just Hill, it is people who make neighbor- a name like countless others dreamed hood happen—often just a handful of up by real-estate developers until them, the ones who are happy to invite several decades ago, when the people the newcomers down the street over for

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 drinks or to hear out the wild tales told That neglect partly explains why by the eight-year-old who lives two neighborhood and community have long doors down. In my neighborhood, the been preoccupations of the WQ. Begin- unofficial mayors lived right next door ning with Robert Fishman’s “Megalop- and were godparents to both our chil- olis Unbound” (Winter 1990) and “The dren. I often joke that the real-estate Second Coming of the American Small ad for the house we bought should Town”(Winter 1992), by New Urbanist have read “4 BR, 2BA, next door to thinkers Andres Duany and Elizabeth the Chriscos.” But it’s not really a joke. Plater-Zyberk, we have published many Neighborhood can be a precious part articles on these themes, including of the human experience, yet despite five by the premier observer of urban our contemporary talk about all things America, Witold Rybczynski, and, most local—the “things” often being mere- recently, Sarah Courteau’s “New to the ly consumer goods—we still seldom Neighborhood” (Spring 2011). All are appreciate it. It certainly wasn’t on my ungated at www.wilsonquarterly.com. mind when my wife and I bought our I hope you’ll drop by. house in “the Forest.” — Steven Lagerfeld

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 2013 N M

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notes o notes

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Findings

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The Republicans

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- 2013 N M U T aits AU erly erly W t ty e i THe wilson quar Soc h g i The alarmist source? The Kremlin’s of- The Kremlin’s The alarmist source? - 30 such some re received VOA The a turn - July represented have 2 may Time caste and I will tell you me what you eat, “Tell Jean gourmand the French are,” what you istry of Truth in George Orwell’s 1984, Orwell’s in George Truth istry of news online organization one calledthe to manipulate . . desperate . move “a law and populace” and misinform the U.S. the purpose and the mission of “nullify Estate.” the Fourth Russia. of Voice the outlet, broadcast ficial H the government broadcasters to the Min broadcasters the government - pro can’t networks the government rules, United in the their programming mote to requests but they can respond States, and others scholars, journalists, from for broadcast-quality copies of content. according months, two first quests in the of public affairs director to Letitia King, Governors. of Broadcast for the Board there’s glad are in the building “People and transparency openness for greater King said in an in- they do,” the work “They that.” welcome terview. other media but VOA, ing point for the attention. much pay organizations didn’t Likening a few exceptions. were There The Internet largely mooted the InternetThe largely the mooted The AmericanThe LibertiesCivil Union ef- lifted Congress the ban, In 2012, order to get a high-resolution print, the print, high-resolution a to get order of Congress. university to seek an act had about Afghanistan’s poppy harvest. The The harvest. poppy about Afghanistan’s but in YouTube, on was available film Fulbright amendment. Starting in the amendment. Fulbright online, posted content VOA the 1990s, including Americans, anyone, where in when people so, Even it. could find for VOA Statesthe United asked the the 2008, In comply. it couldn’t help, VirginiaUniversity of sought to screen documentary VOA a Harvest , A Fateful urged Congress to change the law, to change the law, Congress urged “bothwhich it called highly paternal- for government a nightmare and istic media organiza Many - transparency.” ruled agreed—courts had tions that like material, broadcast government of the reach beyond lay secrets, national Re- of Information Act. the Freedom amendment was Fulbright the of peal Broadcast of the Board by also favored the independent federal Governors, as well VOA agency the that oversees other international as the government’s Europe/ (Radio outlets broadcast Free Radio Asia, Radio Free Radio Liberty, and the Middle East TV Martí, and Networks). Broadcasting newthe Under July fective year. this of 2

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2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar At first, office workers headed to to headed workers office first, At according to Carroll, industrialization to Carroll, according messed with mealtime for white-collar out of the cen- moved who had workers, pollution, tral“the noise, city to escape urbanthe of dealing and wheeling and who the ones They were environment.” dart to eat. home couldn’t big for and bars restaurants the day’s A But health experts disapproved. meal. be eat- must “important meal” man’s for regard and with proper “slowly, en rchive A er Industrialization pushed the day’s big Industrialization day’s pushed the ng midday meal, many of them could return many meal, midday Instead, houses. boarding to their nearby wasn’t driven by factory workers. For their For factory driven by workers. wasn’t A few decades later, American tastemakers A few decades later, asking aphorism, Brillat-Savarin’s tweaked ate it. but when you ate, not what you slot to- midday its traditional meal from writes Abigail Carroll in evening, ward ofThe Invention the Amer- Three Squares: trend But the ican Meal (Basic Books). Gra for striving urban families like this immigrant clan Dining after dark became the norm in the 19th century in St. Paul, Minnesota. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote in 1825. Brillat-SavarinAnthelme wrote in 1825.

Findings

r. T, T, r. 2013 N M M U T AU erly erly t ollins, and ollins, and C How McGruffHow and THe wilson quar er Dog Dog er d television sitcom, in 1986. The Ad Council, which produced which produced Council, The Ad Won bite? A big Joan Selleck, Like Tom McGruff to star- the Crime Dog rose In 1980s. the in dom the Crying A America: Changed Indian Campaigns Council HistoryAd of Iconic Melillo, Wendy (Smithsonian Books), the traces a former writer for Adweek, pedigree. canine’s public service- announcements for broad commissioned cast and print media, , “dine “dine no , Housekeeping Good es g ma I y The dinner hour soon became hour soon dinner The - sta a tt Ge Webster McGruff faces off with Emmanuel Lewis, star of the the welfare of his digestive apparatus,” apparatus,” his digestive of the welfare For declared 1886. in Housekeeping Good the “happiness life,” long and the sake of “it is always better to advised, magazine dine late.” Whereas farmers continued tus marker. closeto eat their main meal to noon, “If you urbanites held off until evening. the crème de la crème to be among ,”desire counseled Being hungry was earlier than five.” being gauche was évidemment, but, bad, even worse.

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2013 at N M U e T f AU erly erly t De f e o THe wilson quar ast e T h Yann Cornil and Pierre Chandon, Cornil Chandon, Pierre and Yann Sans Columbo voice and Columbo Sans Columbo and voice Columbo The American crime rate started to fall cigar, McGruff debuted in 1980. In In McGruffin 1980. debuted cigar, T at the fridgeFans For football fans, the agony of defeat has a junk food. palliative: examined researchers, marketing French food 726 Americans diaries kept by The fortunes of the in 2004 and 2005. markedly they found, localNFL team, eating practices the affected people’s Residents ate more afterday a game. healthfully than usual when their team and won, less healthfully when it lost. in the early 1990s, a change that social in the early 1990s, ascribedscientists have to demographic innova - harsher prison sentences, shifts, access and even readier in policing, tions has Copywriter Nemmers to abortion. ad The theory:different a McGruff. up “cleaned she told Melillo, campaign, neighborhoods practically overnight.” Columbo might be skeptical. announcements a no-smoking zone. zone. a no-smoking announcements according terms awareness, of audience crime” of out a bite “Take Melillo, to Council’s became of the Ad soon one campaigns.most effective

series. Agency- execu series. Columbo - copy The winning pitch came from McGruff, as the rumpled crime-fighter McGruff, tives considered asking Falk to provide asking Falk considered tives McGruff but they decided that voice, ’s in punchy work wouldn’t diction his slow The Ad too: rejected, The cigar got ads. declared had Council servicepublic its soon was named, bore more than a than a more bore was named, soon Falk’s to Peter passing resemblance eponymous character in television’s popular Snoopy) and a jowly bulldog (think J. Snoopy) and a jowly bulldog (think J. Edgar Hoover). writer Sherry an unkempt Nemmers: “He has bad coat. hound in a trench and is a little hunched over,” posture “He explained at the time. Nemmers He is hold- . . . voice. growly has a raspy, brusheshe and ashes the off cigar, a ing his coat as he is talking and saying from verysomething smart.” sive. They rejected several ideas, includ- severalThey ideas, rejected sive. Keystonein a (think Cop hat mutt a ing The goal was to recruit AmericansThe goal - to re port characters suspicious and goings-on a precursor in their neighborhoods, say “See something, of the post-9/11 concept team’s The ad something.” came quickly—a dog law enforcement a bite out of “Take with the tagline crime”—but elu- the character proved develop an anticrime campaign in 1979. develop an anticrime campaign 1979. in the agency Dancer FitzgeraldSample to

Findings 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Plus-sized fans of the Oakland Raid- Previous studies have found that a fan’s founda fan’s that studies have Previous sense of self-worth can rise or fall with in turn, Self-control, fortunes. the team’s Cornil Dejection, can follow self-worth. in a forthcoming explain and Chandon articleScience, in the journal Psychological eating.” “disinhibited to leads ers—the team ranked of at the bottom NFL rankings preseason NBC Sports’ their in July—may want to reconsider allegiances.

It wasn’t just winning or losing that It wasn’t sumption of saturatedsumption fats fell 16 percent following a victory 28 percent and rose following a defeat. varied Appetites with the mattered. residents In winning cities, point spread. especiallywere likely to opt for broccoli By the victorywhen resounding. was heav- cities losing the in people contrast, ily self-medicated with Cheetos after a squeaker. It looks bad for the Chicago Bears. Fans eat more unhealthy foods when their team loses. unhealthy foods when their team loses. It looks bad for the Chicago Bears. Fans eat more Newscom - con In the most sports-crazedcities,

Findings

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Ancient Romans had so much to say say to much so had Romans Ancient often waited at the recipient’s home home often the recipient’s waited at for of equivalent a reply—“the Roman two And Standage writes. broadband,” and ROFL, BTW millennia before and papyrus time saved with Romans for stood Si SVBEEV abbreviations. well, are “If you vales, : valeo ego est, bene I am well.” good, is that Graffiti that they walls. even on wrote as out-, indoors as well everywhere, were Some messages to Standage. according “Once you’ve TripAdvisor: prefigured hotel you’ll there.” stay tried Gabinius’s , The Economist

ll es g ma I y - ac extent, an unprecedented To Scro tt Ge to the Forum (1962). Zero Mostel in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way (Bloomsbury). (Bloomsbury). Wall on the in Writing written news to Standage, cording buzzed ancient and gossip throughout Whereas plebeians enlisted Rome. friendstraveling messages, deliver to who elites dispatched them via slaves, Along with aqueducts, credit the ancient aqueducts, credit the Along with social media. with inventing Romans Stan- Tom the claim That’s by advanced of editor digital the dage, i Caesar media ca. Social

Findings 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar In her biography of the film’s star, star, film’s of the In her biography risible, a single narratora single corpse seemed risible, plausible. altogether of Gloria (University Swanson Press out points Welsch Tricia Mississippi), of role the For taken. not roads other star the washed-up Desmond, Norma of a comeback, enmeshed in delusions determined to were the filmmakers Mary cast silent-moviestar. an actual took West and Mae Pickford said no, umbrage at the implication that her own glory days her. might be behind es g ma I y tt

Ge d

r a ev ul Bo y mp u Preview audiences hated the audiences hated the Preview The fragmentaryThe leaves writtenrecord corpses struck audiences as utterly Silence of the morgue ofSunset Boulevard routinely makes lists the In 1989, Americanbest films. Libraryincluded Congress of it 25 movieschosen the first among Filmfor the National Registry. nearlyBut the 1950 film came to end. a dead “I never saw such a pile cut. first woman one of shit in all my life,” Billy Wilder. director at snapped hooted at the opening: People full of ca a room - In a morgue, davers—includingnarrator Joe Gillis—gab about their causes Wilder Reluctantly, of death. with dead shot a new prologue, in a Gillis floating face-down solved. Problem swimming pool. Whereas a chorus of garrulous B many questions about the era about unan - questions many But and probably unanswerable. swered, a on discovered a graffito do have we achieves that the one wall in Pompeii, status of a Facebook nature quotidian bread.” I made “On April 19, update:

Findings

2013 N M U T AU ephen Bates ephen erly erly t —St THe wilson quar isn’t in the in the Airport1975 isn’t

But a quarter-century after Sunset Although National Film Registry, it does appear does it Film National Registry, The Fifty Worst in a 1978 compendium: Time. Films of All many TV ones, but she refused to play she refused but TV ones, many another Hollywood has-been. In a Swanson acquiesced. Boulevard, elderly an she played movie 1974 film, It named Gloriastar—one Swanson. costars in Her film. be her final would the salmagundi cast included Charl- Myrna Loy, Karen Black, Heston, ton and Linda Blair. Helen Reddy, career. She for an Oscar was nominated career. and Holliday), to Judy time she lost (this Most of them, came calling. directors cast aimed to her as another over- though, enough of had and she’d the-hill actress, She a few accepted and movie roles that.

Montgomery Clift agreed to play Montgomery Clift to play agreed Erich director von silent-film The Swanson’s Sunset Boulevard reignited Ultimately, Gloria Swanson, who had had who Gloria Swanson, Ultimately, Academy forfirst the nominated been (she lost in 1929 for actress best Award on. signed to Janet Gaynor), but he pulled out the male lead, Gillis, After Kelly Gene minute. at the last - MacMur and Fred unavailable proved Wilder picked the ray uninterested, Williamthen-obscure Holden. Norma the partStroheim took of Max, ultimately we and, butler Desmond’s - Stroheim pro Von ex-husband. her learn, scenes for his character. posed additional but Wilder several accepted suggestions, Stroheim, Von risqué. too he deemed one wanted to show Welsch, to according lingerie, “Max washing out Norma’s lovingly her silken panties.” stroking

Findings ALAMY A water balloon toss brings neighbors together at a block party in Detroit, Michigan. WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE

What place do neighborhoods have in modern cities?

BY TOM VANDERBILT

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY It is frequently, almost reflexively almost reflexively It is frequently, No—there, nestled high in the search re search the in high nestled No—there, “Phoenix followingthe was claim: sults, It may be many things to many people, but apparently is not a city Las Vegas of neighborhoods. “spot the differences.” The realtors’ map The realtors’ the differences.” “spot Barbary brims with Candlestick Points, the names Buenas; Yerba and Coasts, brand of fanciful the result sound like ratherdesignators of than ing exercises live. to places actual - “som Saul Bellow’s of Chicago, said “a that it is I was born, where ber city” the city Indeed, cityneighborhoods.” of does exude vital local within identities But if Google is boundaries. its larger “city a so too is Boston to be believed, Saint As are Louis, of neighborhoods.” to Not D.C. Washington, and Seattle, and Dal Miami, Losmention Angeles, that city the brink? on Long Detroit, las. With my exer a city of neighborhoods. I cise beginning to turn dully repetitive, Perhaps started for exceptions. looking with its legendary sprawl? Phoenix,

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TOM VANDERBILT

long ago, I absently flipped through ago, long life forgettable in-room of those one N A SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL ROOM NOT HOTEL ROOM N A SAN FRANCISCO Neighborhoods oftenNeighborhoods in much exist as Gazing at this depiction of a cityGazing at this depiction I know style at the casual magazines aimed vis Set for marbled amid ads steak and itor. a tourist map occupied glistening sushi, As do most urban maps, the last pages. segmented the cityit had into its vari neighborhoods—Pacific ous and iconic Haight-Ashbury. the Mission, Heights, human penchant for breaking up space human penchant up space for breaking maps? our cognitive to better fit urban as on imagination the collective shifting their borders depending ground, of map a Contrast drawswho them. on neighborhoods produced San Francisco department planning the municipal by with another effort—this by created one the association—and realtors’ the city’s game of activity a children’s becomes me. It left me wondering: Is there some Is there It left me wondering: me. only from a smatteringonly vis of disjointed from I was struck the by its and impressions, regularity in the distribution size and of the sense that I had its neighborhoods. at was the expres what I was looking kind of logic—but wheth of some sion or fiat of government er it was the result curious some social alchemy was beyond

By I

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE

- - JOURNAL OF OF JOURNAL , a social unit , calpolli THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY N A 2010 ARTICLE IN THE IN THE ARTICLE N A 2010 Michael AnthropologicalArchaeology , Smith of Arizona State University E. Our view ancient people about how inhabitants”) was drawn. Indeed, much of much Indeed, inhabitants”) was drawn. dieval Marseille, he noted, quarters—in noted, he dieval Marseille, im- neighborhoods—were essence, oriented portant sites of social identity, Smith profession; one’s largely toward to “close that found that cited research of all craftsmen70 percent res whose quarterthe in lived known are idences In Aztec craft.” associated with their he pointed to clusters cities in Mexico, “confidently that could be houses of that were as neighborhoods” identified organized a around often-related of many composed groups. even suggesting now are Archaeologists Smith settlements—which, that Mayan not even deemed once were observed, neighborhoods. cities—had “real” is partiallylived the lens viewed through of mid-20th-century- academic sociolo definition own gy—from which Smith’s distinct territorial of neighborhood (“a virtue distinct by specific of the group, physical characteristics and of the area social characteristicsthe specific of the wrote that “the spatial division of cities of spatial division “the wrote that into districts of neighborhoods or is one the few the of urban universals life from In late me earliestpresent.” cities to the I - - -

I had come to the realization that “city “city that to the realization come I had Afterevery plugging in burg from Archaeologists are now Archaeologists that even suggesting Mayan settlements—which even were once not deemed “real” cities—had neighborhoods. is a virtual tautolo of neighborhoods” truisma oftenso no it that repeated gy, Perhaps much. explain to seems longer back unpackand go the to time was it frequently in- “neighborhood,” word What is a analyzed. seldom yet voked neighborhoods do neighborhood? How city? to the larger in much relate How fluence do neighborhoods exert in their in an era And of global lives? residents’ do we cities and digital communities, even need neighborhoods? is a city of neighborhoods, each with a each is a city of neighborhoods, personalityunique its own.” of I finally a ma hit on Topeka, to Tampa the jor municipality that did not answer Vegas. Las of my keywords: summons people, many to things many be may It is not a city of Vegas but apparently Las neighborhoods.

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE

- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY “What take the fact did was to Perry parish,” Mumford wrote. What no longer wrote. Mumford parish,” existed organically—the sense of people living and community gained by their to each other, in proximity working far they how by restrained movements could walk or what they did for a liv Perry engineered. ing—could be reverse his neighborhood unit as envisioned a housing (with acres 160 encompassing density and having of 10 units per acre) be laid It would about 7,000 residents. that “so a school positioned out around only be] schoolwalk to [would child’s a the advent of wheeled transportof wheeled advent the changed for “facilities from emphasis planners’ for to facilities movement,” settlement even neighborhoodtexture destroying parts different of town as it brought sub closernew, created (and together Planners won urbanneighborhoods). the in means, the find to how dered regions, metropolitan ever-growing a 1929 In local. to make life feel more Perry the planner Clarence monograph, coined a term for used in the concept such as Sunny planning communities New Jersey: and Radburn, Queens, side, “the neighborhood unit.” of the neighborhood how, and show it could deliberate design, through the modern . . be transformed into . equivalent of the medieval quarter or - - - —precisely —precisely The Times until New York Town Planning Review Planning Town While the word “neighborhood” “neighborhood” While the word The neighborhood began to acquire The neighborhood began to acquire because it was under threat. The “spon The because it was under threat. our thinking about neighborhoods about our thinking dates 1900s. to the in writtenappeared in English first did usage the current the 15th century, The his later. until much not emerge argues for instance, torian Carl Abbot, that in late-18th-centuryYork New City—contrary that citizens to notions mish largelylived in a socioeconomic neighborhoods were mash—“residential wealth to according differentiated fact in He calls them status.” and occupational but, (with hindsight) neighborhoods, begin itself does not the word curiously, to appear in new that currencyconceptual around urbanist and time—as the prominent critic Lewis architecture New Yorker in a 1954 article suggested Mumford in was taneous neighborhood grouping” falling victim to industrial capitalism’s rapidly intensifying and place income while argued, Mumford segmentation, the late 19th century. In 1894, in one in one In 1894, the late 19th century. the Times declared, of its earliest uses, “Nobody can fail to sympathize with the efforts who are people of the worthy trying certain to purge neighborhoods in the city disreputable.” become that have

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Perry’s scheme was not without its Perry’s SocietyPlanning of in noted Officials neighborhood unit was Perry’s 1960, coast to or less replicated from more “Thus might feeljust as at one coast: the curvilinear on or just as lost, home, at in Arizona, mesa’ ‘desert of a streets ‘Prai the neighborhood super-shop in or in the centrally in Illinois, rie Estate’ located elementary‘Rolling school in a in Pennsylvania.” Meadows’ The Harvard planning professor critics.

Perry’s monograph became monograph a virtual Perry’s century’s renewed appreciation of neighborhoods. In 1962, she led the successful fight against against renewed appreciation of neighborhoods. In 1962, she led the successful fight century’s which would have left hundreds of buildings Manhattan Expressway, proposed Lower City’s New York displaced. demolished and thousands of people and businesses most American children would stop most American stop would children walking to school.) Arterial and roads be pushed would shopping complexes designed with local streets to the edges, without crossing a major arterial street.” arterialmajor a crossing without street.” to see the time when not live would (Perry traffic. to discourage cut-through bible for developers planners and for As the American decades to come. about one-quarter of a mile and no more and could be achieved half mile than one GETTY IMAGES played a large role in the mid-20th Urban activist and author Jane Jacobs (1916–2006)

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE

- - - - The Times New York THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The Brooklyn neighborhood next to As elusive as that GoldilocksAs elusive medium noted in 1960, “It is not a well-known noted in 1960, years no name until two had area—it the The event that precipitated ago.” toric district. But as But toricdistrict. derpinned by an impulse toward social toward derpinnedimpulse an by It was during inclusion or exclusion. that the phrase for example, this period, with its “There the neighborhood,” goes began to enter “whiteflight,” echoes of the lexicon. just suchmine was formed a midcentu by bohemians), (bourgeois “bobos” bankers, and cultural mandarins such as the novel seems an eminently his ist Martin Amis, was that it was under threat. In a context In a context threat. was that it was under against new the revolt of urban renewal, and changing demographic freeways, neighborhoods became the profiles, whether un locus of social cohesion, tony a landmarked, Cobble Hill, ry crisis. district peopled by of elegant townhouses it, a self-contained “artificial town” or town” “artificial a self-contained it, the in “village life” of simulacrum pure planning nor a meaningless metropolis, for civilized “means some unit without Her ideal existed self-government.” in between. somewhere idea of the urban the 1960s the in was, again ascent the neighborhoodon was as an organizing principle of and way as half a century earlier, the reason, life; - (1961), charged charged (1961), Reginald Isaacs argued that its formReginald Isaacs and and segregation promoted execution schools and that its focus on exclusion, of other residents. neglected the needs in The Death and Life of Jane Jacobs, Great American Cities - ‘neigh a sentimental concept, “as that is harmfulto city planning,” borhood’ warpingat city life “attempts to leading or suburban town of into imitations While might appear more no one life.” the neighborhood-centricJacobs, than she Village, champion of Greenwich of modern paradox” “seeming noted a urbanlife—that attached people keep to - “flu needed cities neighborhood, a to the street-lev For idity and mobility.” to it had el neighborhood to survive, She of the city. mesh with the texture units, sterilitysaw a confining in Perry’s and others who had and lauded Isaacs whether begun to question “daringly of neighborhood in big the conception What at all.” meaning cities has any as she put she was really after was not, g.” to city plannin ‘neighborhood’ is harmful is harmful ‘neighborhood’ “as a sentimental concept, concept, “as a sentimental cobs charged that that charged Jacobs Jane

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Another project, Livehoods, devel Livehoods, project, Another oped by Justin Cranshaw Justin colleagues and by oped Schoolat Carnegie Mellon University’s uses social media Science, of Computer ins”) “check Foursquare and (tweets data people actually where spend that reveal the patterns Often, their time in a city. of activity and neighborhood bound ariesmatch up—particularly when a strong neighborhood is bounded by cases, In many features. geographic neighborhoods be split may however, ularly in neighborhoods in flux, people’s people’s ularly in neighborhoods in flux, into different groups of users; or, partic or, of users; groups into different the edges spill may across movements forming new of various neighborhoods, As Cranshaw me, told social territories. city planners Tampa, in cities such as techniques to help Livehood using are optimize the allocation of services to new those how and to envision developments, to established connect developments neighborhoods. to—and differ from—more formalized differ to—and from—more the all-important case, this in strictures, permit zones. parking municipal or artificial Imposed life. to shape community boundaries do appear do appear boundaries

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VERYONE HAS HEARD THE COMPLAINT HAS HEARD THE COMPLAINT VERYONE “in- about a neighborhood being hoping to stake realtors by vented”

to shape community life. A project in in A project to shape community life. conceptions people’s how shows Boston of neighborhood boundaries often relate ones, but every neighborhood requires ones, of cartography initial fusion some and and im- mythology to spring being, into posed or artificial boundaries do appear out new price points or protect old out new price old points or protect olutionary War (“Cobble Hill” sounded sounded Hill” (“Cobble olutionaryWar earlybetter than the name Dutch settlers with—“Punkiesburg”), up come had and out of the cartographic muddle “new” of South Brooklyn was born a that eventually one neighborhood, off vaguely economic shook threatening torpor and became it is today, the place with single-origin replete coffee and public schools. well-regarded ers’ association. They named the newly association. ers’ neighborhood after conceived forta that during stood in the area the Revhad Brooklyn Heights, formed a homeown Brooklyn Heights,

emergence of a recognized of neighbor emergence of plans announcement was the hood the Around to construct a supermarket. clearance” “slum efforts at same time, of them new many Residents, began. ly for and looking drawn to the area to affluent alternatives affordable more E

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY ’s Andy Woodruff Andy Woodruff Bostonography’s Roxbury uses colored hexagons to map Boston uses colored hexagons to map Boston A crowd-sourced project at the website Bostonography Purple covers areas where more than residents’ perceptions of their neighborhood boundaries. 50 percent, and green more than 25 percent. 75 percent of respondents agree, aqua more than watch in all this,” “Roxbury is the most interesting neighborhood to BOSTONOGRAPHY writes. “It has uncertainties on at least three sides, and it and its neighbors seem to have reasonablywrites. “It has uncertainties on at least three sides, strong identities to both their residents and outsiders.”

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- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY , which proposed the idea which proposed Soft City, local unit,” containing anywhere anywhere containing local unit,” Whatever size live neighborhood we very of the “city of illusion, myth, aspiration, aspiration, myth, of illusion, “city of the ter the publication of his influential 1974 book fessor Kevin Lynch championed the fessor Kevin the championed Lynch “ from 100 households to as few 100 households to as 30 or from to idea exists The spirit of Lynch’s 15. day in architect Ross Chapin’s concept concept Ross Chapin’s in architect day of groups neighborhoods,” “pocket of a courtyardhouses clustered around or as Chapin has built, open space, shared that our human the fact “around said, the physi Curiously, is social.” nature expertcist and networks Albert-László at mo looking Barabási and colleagues, foundthat human activity, bile phone (the geographic clustering” “spatial of members in a community) proximity - commu greatly expand once to begins As the community nity size 30. reaches span grows—but its geographic grows, “This suggests rate. greater at a much that the tendency to groups of human geographicallyremain gradual- cohesive sizely in as the group 30.” exceeds gives Barabási and colleagues The number 30, number optimal the be to seems also add, for achieving laboratory cooperation in behavior. experiments group on likely are to further it we rearrange in, The writer Jona conception. in our own a few reflecting decades af than Raban, ------A 1984 study of neighborhood affin an ideal neighborhood size?Is there It has become a bit of an urban a bit of an become It has sportto create (and then joke about) increasing about) then joke (and create ly neighborhood names—the baroque suggests research SoPaNoMaHos—but of neighborhoodthat local awareness map boundariesnames and is connected One to various of social capital. indices “groups that for example, study found, able local more ties are shared with more Other to supply a neighborhood name.” correlations found positive studies have neighborhoodbetween naming and rel res levels, ativelyhigh homeownership and fewer calls. police idential stability, ity published in Population in Baltimore “race and Environment found that the effect” direct “strongest the had variable” The neighborhood identification. on surmised Af that the city’s researchers often living rican-American residents, “col in areas, “high-threat” perceived the sense of their neighborhoods lapsed” trimming thereby blocks, into their own world size. to a manageable a dangerous In Surely levels: many this happens on - sum are there neighborhood, my own mer “blocknot “neighborhood parties,” the idea of the as if to reinforce parties,” city block setting the outer limit to some kind of social cohesion. the noted urban planning pro In 1981,

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- - -

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY (2012). That should come as as come should That (2012). Neighborhoods, Sampson found, can Sampson found, Neighborhoods, Sampson recreated a classic “pro-social “pro-social a classicSampson recreated become something more than the sum of than the more something become their parts. He argues that social ties need He argues that their parts. make to extensive nor deep neither be rather not have their friendsrather not have as neighbors. affect often how was dropped it was re There it should not: turned? In theory, barriers or institutional no income are But Sampson to picking up a letter. found clear neighborhood-level dif more rates; in letter-return ferences with he found that those areas over, people were the highest rates—where “neighborly”—tended in essence more rates of the lowest with to be the ones violent crime. Many people would would Many people experimentin Chicago, behavior” envelopes addressed stamped, dropping the letter where Would the city. across Effect Sampson no surprise—the surprise, cannot troubles was that those learned, After- ad poverty by be explained alone. found he that some justing for income, still neighborhoods were study in his saferhealthier and than others.

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N THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WHERE YOU N THE CITY OF CHICAGO, WHERE YOU has an enormous on impact reside the swaths of In large destiny. your But Raban’s whole supposition, of the whole supposition, But Raban’s city, there is nothing “soft” about it; the about it; “soft” is nothing there city, Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood life. Low birth and high homi weights life. cide rates cluster hot spots, in geographic Sampson writes in RobertHarvard’s J. his ambitious study Great American City: fact of one’s geography is as hard as one’s as one’s as hard is geography of one’s fact soft city now resided. Perhaps social net Perhaps soft city resided. now the new neigh- and the like were works but interest. not of proximity, borhoods, sense of possibility. Perhaps the Internet, the Internet, Perhaps sense of possibility. “elective an in dwelt his daughter where community of exactly the kind I once the was where sought in the big city,” nightmare,” talked about the liberatingtalked about nightmare,” you where quality metropolis, of the neighbors, with your “stuck” not were construct but could your as in suburbia, as crit He wondered, city. personal own before, done had ics such as Mumford and increasing whether gentrification that destroying class were segmentation

freedom, essentially from one’s context, context, essentially one’s from freedom, ignores that could be found in the city, urban many residents, For thing: one than fictive more neighborhoods are theyand are real, Theyare constructs. the very of life stuff and death. I

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- - - n Smith- and Wired, Traffic: is the author of Traffic:

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The Wilson Quarterly, Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Do and We Way Drive the We Why contributor and is a frequent Says, About Us to , among other publications. He is a He is a other publications. among sonian, University’s York visiting scholar at New Policy Transportation Rudin Center for in the same and has lived and Management, Brooklyn neighborhood for nearly decades. two TOM VANDERBILT tal globalization, that you can’t hammer can’t you that globalization, tal borhood, one of the most important important of the most one borhood, It has in each of our lives.” communities dig of placeless been said of the limits i borhoods. Its avowed mission: “To bring “To mission: Its avowed borhoods. back a sense of community to the neigh the Internet—buta nail over maybe you a cup of sugar. can borrow as if we merely inhabit the far-flung merely far-flung inhabit the we as if various of our contours networks. social one the center, a hole in But this leaves startup an online called curiously, that, that Noting is tryingNextdoor to fill. Facebook of one’s only percent about two Nextdoor neighbors, actual are “friends” hosts private for neigh social networks - - - - vital—way of vital—way most just as easily there as ,” In the digital age, it sometimes seems it sometimes In the digital age, Despite the ideas, promulgated by the by promulgated Despite the ideas, at various points, neighborhoods remain neighborhoodsremain at various points, vital—perhapsa the thinking about the modern city. healthy neighborhoods; indeed, he sug he indeed, neighborhoods; healthy rather not would people many gests, They just their friendshave as neighbors. theywant people can trust look to help “When are ties after good. the common are even be that outcomes it may ‘thick,’ For he notes. rather than better,” worse years many my In that rings true: me, friendly been I have while in Brooklyn, of my some and with neighbors I know, closestmy neigh friendsbecome have friends good not become I have bors, simply because that person with anyone was my neighbor. of global “flatness” and the digital age city“the a or less is more that ization, (or any “anyone and that random swirl” thing) could be here place that us reminds work Sampson’s Though important more is than ever. their obsolescence has been prophesied

WELCOME TO THE JUMBLE GETTY IMAGES

Two Predator drones rest in hangars at a base in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Even after the United States withdraws its last combat troops from Afghanistan next year, it will continue to operate drones in the country. HEROES AND DRONES

Drones fly in the face of lessons taught to us by centuries of warfare.

BY F. S. NAIDEN

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY These are two ways of making war, ways two war, of making These are From the perspective of a military of a the perspective his From Leon Panetta called drones “the only game in town.” drone that killed Awlaki, on the other the other on that killed Awlaki, drone It was was virtually invulnerable. hand, less likely to kill than armed civilians but it was been, have attackers would take prisonersunable to or interrogate or otherwise seek information directly the enemy. from LeonPanetta, In 2009, new. one old, one of the Central Intelli then the director the new. said he preferred Agency, gence in fighting drones Discussing the use of “It’s the only game he stated, Al Qaeda, warfare gen Critics of drone in town.” erally stick issues it raises: to the legal A court should authorize these killings, not a civilian agency and the military, drones such as the CIA (which controls should carry used outside war zones), a Using they contend. out the operation, law and the civilian agency violates U.S. Geneva Conventions. torian, the true issues are operational, not the trueoperational, issues are torian, used to the exclusion are If drones legal.

- - - - government revealed an em- revealed government barrassing about the U.S. detail RECENT REPORT BY THE PAKISTANI THE BY REPORT RECENT

F. S. NAIDENF.

Another attack on Al Qaeda the the Al Qaeda attackAnother on drone campaign against Al Qaeda. Be campaign Qaeda. against Al drone caught commandos up with Navy fore the terrorist Osama bin Laden in 2011, escaped had duringleader detection his in hiding out in Abbottabad of years Thanks to hat. part wearing a cowboy by American surveil brim, broad the hat’s identify him by lance satellites couldn’t the United States him, find To his face. and then to use human intelligence, had to send soldiers to kill him in a it had shootout. face-to-face The target, ended differently. same year an American citizen Al-Awlaki, Anwar - unwill was preacher, turnedAl Qaeda Western for Arab up dress ing to give or perhaps did not realize how attire, A him. hat might protect a cowboy unpiloted aircraft by directed small, found and killed him control remote killThe two Yemen. in outside a town ings hardly dif been more could have like those forces Conventional ferent. trackedthat Ladenbin can down take they can also suffer casualtiesprisoners; and often mistake (four kill civilians by The attack). died in the Abbottabad

By A

HEROES AND DRONES - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY HE FOLLOWING BRIEF (AND SELECTIVE) SELECTIVE) HE FOLLOWING BRIEF (AND survey of the history of weapons that Weapons begins with a truism: After hitting Diomedes, Paris says, says, Paris AfterDiomedes, hitting Centuries of warfare combining Centuries warfare combining of version of a long-range weapon, a bow, a bow, weapon, of a long-range version who uses face-to- Diomedes, wounds a spear and a sword. weapons, face If only caught it had . . hit! . “You’re in the flank and killed down you.” you belittling his op answers, Diomedes boasting are “You weaponry, ponent’s of grazingabout vain in bottom the a like being hit by It’s . . . my foot. he arrow, An or a sillywoman boy.” “is of a weak the flimsy weapon says, and worthless man.” nologically infatuated officials suppose. nologically suppose. officials infatuated the activity of choosing between Indeed, and short-range is almost long- weapons of the 11 In Book as old as warfare itself. who uses the ancient Greek Paris, Iliad, the alternative, invading Japan with a Japan with invading the alternative, too. acceptable, is force, landing large us teach short- weapons long-range and and commu can fight that belligerents nicate with the enemy at the same time. nicatetime. enemy at the same with the their have suchInnovations drone as the it is a smaller than tech but place place, kill from a safe remove are preferable to are a safe remove kill from this Yet risk. personal those that involve truismstory. never has whole the been T - - - - In World War II, no weapon could could no weapon II, War World In is not only Overreliance drones on of short-range weapons, American forc of short-range weapons, interrogate or will take es to unable be and occupy surrenders, accept prisoners, are practicalThese advantages positions. Some terrorists sur despised. not to be Some even if bin Laden did not. render, cannot a drone Yet intelligence. provide with the enemy. communicate top echelon entire the eliminated have bellig of the of any of the government offer new this though, Drones, erents. the United them, Using possibility. States try might to eliminate the entire Although this of Al Qaeda. leadership an once new be attractive, war aim may will not drones dead, are leaders enemy’s or parley interrogate, be able to capture, leaders without any And with survivors. forces the remaining them, to represent not be willing of the enemy may or able of whole The elimination to surrender. not bringstrata may of leaders the con flict to a close. it is harmful to the combat impractical; This ethos has military. ethos of the U.S. always for the use of long-range allowed an honored but it also gives weapons, A short-range to the use of place arms. atomic such as the Hiroshima weapon airmen who never by dropped bomb, but is acceptable, beheld their victims,

HEROES AND DRONES - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY During the Classical period, which During the Classical period, mies.” Yet even the Homerically inclined Yet mies.” and beg for mercy. The victor negoti and beg for mercy. and often spares ates with the captive, Sparing to collect ransom. him in order those who beg for mercy of is the acme Killing warning without is out heroism. of the question. of 490–79 Wars began after the Persian weaponry long-range more was BC, in but the idea of heroism available, When a close-range persisted. combat the Spartansvisitor asked why fought a Spartan magistrate with short swords, close up come our ene to “We replied, - - Neither side triesNeither to exterminate the Fighting fair means spear to spear, Fighting fair means spear to spear, ART RESOURCE ART posed by long-range Homer recognized the moral and practical dilemmas Thousands of years ago, War. shown in a 15th-century depiction of the Trojan bow, weaponry such as the Greek archer’s des, praising “those fighting in the front in the front fighting “those praising des, survives Paris unscathed, Yet rank.” limps to his chariot while Diomedes strikesscene This a field. the leaves and of weap kinds the two balance between the tactical advantage giving Paris ons, moral the and Diomedes advantage. Homeric leaders enemy without a word. to parleyand soldiers alike prefer and to the finish. duels ratherstage than fight do not fling insults and men If wounded captured they are their chariots, board face to face. Homer agrees with Diome agrees Homer to face. face

HEROES AND DRONES

------THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY tions are “Here’s one, swallow it” and swallow it” one, “Here’s are tions lerymen wrote on shells), extending lerymen shells), wrote on One of the first uses of artillery, by by uses of artillery, One of the first Olynthus soon fell, but thanks to trai Olynthus fell, soon Homer and Thucydides- never con and Homer - tors who opened the gates to the Mace victors The artillerynot fire. donians, of the ransomed some looted the city, and no doubt raped others, inhabitants, Long-range kill - into slavery. sold many this process. in only was ing moment a as to a Homeric hero, a Macedonian, To it was unthinkable that the victor would with enemies. to face face not come the practice of Homeric jeering. Some of the practice of Homeric jeering. the in Among survived. the balls have scrip plement each other. plement each other. Philip of father, Alexander the Great’s city at the Greek of Olynthus Macedon, illustrates old attitudes how in 349 BC, Macedo persisted amid new weapons. nian artillerymen pellets lead and firing balls into the city scratched mes first time them (perhaps the first on sages artil Killing and talking continued to com to Killingand talking continued not change the fundamentals of warfare. warfare. the fundamentals of not change “It rained.” One reads, simply, “Ouch.” “Ouch.” simply, reads, One “It rained.” “Conceive.” Some warned of rape: ceived so powerful a weapon as a cata as a a weapon powerful so ceived in military the advance despite Yet pult. the hoplite or legionary technology, the remained and sword with his spear artillerybulwark armies; of ancient did - A little later, in the fourth in century A little later, worthwhilethey if could pick out He implied that men killed men. brave chance. died by and stones arrows by whether the Spartans died who had the prisoner men, brave good, were besaid that spindles would [arrows] When allies Athenian ma of the one liciously of the prisoners one asked Greeks had to admit that long-range that long-range to admit had Greeks In better. worked sometimes weapons Wars, of the Peloponnesian his account Thucydides could reported that archers while defeat the fearsome Spartans, that the advantage taking care to note weapons their long-range by conferred was unfair: enemies.” “We come up close to our come up close “We Spartan magistrate replied, magistrate replied, Spartan fought with short swords, a short swords, fought with Asked why the Spartans the Spartans why Asked BC, Greek warfare became higher tech. warfare became Greek higher tech. BC, of long- the reach increased Crossbows to 250. 100 yards from range weapons came Next catapults with five- loaded time, the same About stones. pound which engineers learned to use torsion, as range. as well throw-weight increased

HEROES AND DRONES - - - A , he told of a , THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Indian methods of warfare should Indian methods of tomahawk or club, in order to capture or capture or to in order club, or tomahawk If they did touch or just him. scalp him, they earned no honor— not touch him, they would as Jesuit missionaries put it, Long-range killing was coups. not count unavoidable, and sometimes permissible, no The Indians had but not preferable. practical of exterminating the notion whites. not be thought anything less than cruel Sneak attacks with flaming and brutal. often arrows causedof numbers high Jacques explorer The French casualties. that oc an example Cartier recorded become in what would in 1539 curred In his book of Quebec. the province Memoir of Jacques Cartier force of Toudaman Indians who at- Indians Toudaman of force tacked a village of 200 sleeping Iroquois, burning them to death and killing those But in who tried to escape the flames. pitched battles resulted other instances, sides would The two in fewer casualties. dart off and then to face behind trees Often each on the fighters arrows. avoid of the side sang and danced in the face warriors ancient Greek as some enemy, the Prot Williams, Roger In 1643, did. estant dissenter who founded Provi witnessed a nearly dence Plantations, Arrow bloodless battle in Rhode Island. but few attacks caused wounds, some - - -

HERE IS NOTHING PECULIARLY GREEK GREEK HERE IS NOTHING PECULIARLY and face-to-face about combining is also There weapons. long-range

When started In Europeans fighting Ancient siege warfare did mark a a mark did warfare siege Ancient dians in eastern North America in the begin would the natives 16th century, at a Ho firing arrows by engagements theyThen meric or so. range of 50 yards usually with a rushwould the opponent, nothing peculiarly about fighting Greek Colonial and talking at the same time. Indians America an example: provides and armed and bows, with tomahawks later with muskets.

departure from Homer in one respect: respect: one in Homer departurefrom In deeply. affectedIt civilians more see or could no longer civilians sieges, in Even impact. missiles before hear city experienced dwellers a peacetime, worldthe beyond from newremoteness towers by measured one the city gates, ramparts artillerybuilt to interdict fire, and outer works its impact, to cushion Something of enemy. off the to ward mentalitya siege became permanent. high-tech mil This was the Greeks’ of drones. their foretaste itary horror, the evencircumstances, in these Yet and away, mile less than a was enemy along still flew foes, between words and stones. with arrows T

HEROES AND DRONES

- - - BRIDGEMAN BRIDGEMAN could could THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Even more deadly more Even than the flint lockwas the rifled devel musket German gun 1750 by oped around but known smiths in Pennsylvania, as the Kentucky rifle because of its popularity settle- white in the first of the Appalachians. ments west a marksman With this weapon, Osceola, shown here with a musket in an 1842 lithograph, was captured during the Second Seminole War (1835–42) only when he was luredarrested. and talks topeace sham American Indians adopted the European settlers’ long-range long-range American Indians adopted the European settlers’ leader weaponry with considerable success. The Seminole - - European invaders brought invaders European American Indians did not immediately grasp the stra- tegic setback represented by an increased reliance on long-range killing. depths of the forest ambusheddepths of the forest columns of white soldiers. by the novelist James Fenimore James Fenimore the novelist by the firing from Indians Cooper: zled out in wet weather. Then weather. zled out in wet came the flintlock musket, Northto America introduced lighter It was 1700. around than the matchlock and oper - Appreciat able in a rainstorm. the Indians ing the difference, in favor their bows abandoned Indian of the new weapons. the form took warfare now described in the 19th century deaths. The two sides ridiculed two The deaths. field. quit the then other, each - weap longer-range them with too—matchlock ef- guns ons, but at 50 to 100 yards, fective The cumbersome. heavy and the away gave burning cord and often fiz position, soldier’s

HEROES AND DRONES

- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY In World War II, when their enemiestheir when II, War World In the foe was cleverlyVietnam, In ret rograde. He attacked with short-range rograde. Bombers were vulnerableenemy air- to were Bombers craft antiaircraft and ground-based fire, oftenand bombs missed their targets. infantryman Any wasaim his adjusting killer or flexible than a bomb a more the world both Through wars, rocket. infantry segment the largest remained the same troops, frontline army’s of any In Vietnam, the foe was foe the In Vietnam, retrograde. He cleverly with short-range attacked such as knives weapons stakes. and bamboo as in antiquity America. and colonial the Allies did not finally defeated, were deal with them at a distance and without When the United States communication. Hiroshima on bombs atomic dropped not were enemy leaders Nagasaki, and dropped not were bombs The targeted. but negotiations to preempt in order Allied military leaders to hasten them. the German and Japanese sur received in formal to face face ceremo renders then implemented an occupation nies, of both countries that lasted for years.

- - - - hun- . They did not immediately coups. Now, amid weapons that would have that would amid weapons Now, dred yards away. Long-range killing now away. yards dred no scruples and Indians had became easier, Once the warriors hit it. about adopting theystillcould close their targets, in and count graspstrategic the setback represented long-range on reliance increased an by Their archery skills became ob killing. tury, Indians faced repeating riflesrepeating and faced Indians tury, projectiles, ever more machine guns: farther accurately and more from fired farther away. been as surprisingWilliams to Roger as the been to Homer, catapults have would Army could exterminate its Indian U.S. It was a risk at little opponents to itself. but not somewhat new kind of warfare, the Indi The Army to find had entirely: very were like Geronimo, and some, ans, ene do better against future To elusive. need even the Army better would mies, First came improved weapons. long-range planes and bomber then artillery, field Artillery flawless. were but none rockets, was targeting when effective more was of airborne with the assistance done spot- very but the spotters were vulnerable. ters, solete, their superiority in hand-to-hand solete, and became important, fighting less goods European their dependence on of the 19th cen By the end increased. fell man or beast from up to several up fell beast from man or

HEROES AND DRONES - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The United States and its allies The United Statesits allies and The Obama found administration sev eral justifications for the reliance on drones. drones. on foreralreliance justifications the was the old rationale of not nego There decoys in the Korean War. Similar planes War. in the Korean decoys In 1990s. in the gunfire naval directed planes of these one (1991), War the Gulf soldiers waving their of Iraqi pictures took to surrender attempting shirtsthe air, in in time In the late 1990s, to the drone. of Afghanistan and thefor the invasion began to carry drones missiles. War, Iraq Army Soon all the services drones. had craftthe and Marines personnel directed The trailers the frontlines. near from built a Force and the Air CIA joined in, Air at Nellis center fordrones command surveillanceAerial in Nevada. Base, Force it possible to pick making out improved, such Laden. as bin individual targets, planes to and ships, lacked the troops, in all assault Al Qaeda of its sanctuar Middle the greater ies throughout East, Bush administration W. and the George After as a substitute. turned to drones of Barackthe election Obama in 2008, it became clear that the United States lacked in the the will forces to keep large few In the first years indefinitely. field attacks drone presidency, of Obama’s the with increased, leaders enemy on purpose up the Al of breaking avowed systemQaeda and control. of command

- - - Then came drones. Although experiAlthough cameThen drones. ments with unmanned planes dated backdated planes unmanned ments with the 1950s to the beginning of aviation, militarywitnessed the first use of these which served as radio-guided machines, the parleys reported by Thucydides. Thucydides. the parleys reported by the end of World War II. But the United II. War World of end the States of killing no notion Ho Chi had Minh and the other members of the Vietnamelite that ran North more any of killing had off than the Communists Innovations administration. the Nixon effectively Vietnam the War and all, different table, ended at a negotiating thein form but not in substance from era and colonial of America’s powwows weapons such as knives and bamboo and suchknives as weapons weap a long-range of notion His stakes. range effective an with gun tank a was on The Americans fire could of a mile. but in safety, range, longer much from since incessantly, fire to have they would almost alwaysthey would the miss once slipped into the jungle or duckedtarget pre introduced forces U.S. into a cave. that anticipated munitions cision-guided but in small that numbers drones, today’s enemy. a numerous on little impact made the guided missile, newAnother weapon, in a for most targets was too expensive B-52s Carpet-bombing by guerrilla war. raids back to the massive hearkened GermanJapanese and against cities at

HEROES AND DRONES

- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY ’s Seymour M. Seymour M. ’s The New Yorker When Panetta described drones as aWhen described drones Panetta Unlike the war with the Taliban, which Taliban, with the war the Unlike This sort of thinking is not too roman tic for the public. The public reacted to The public reacted tic for the public. than more the death of bin Laden much not just because Laden bin to Awlaki’s but because his al important, was more seemed mythical. most cinematic demise to risksattackers The ranin order great a chance He had kill him point-blank. to no avail. to arm himself, been thinking not have he could game, He supposed or heroism. about heroes the United Statesthat prevail could Al Qaeda’s Attacking Al Qaeda. over leadership may not lead to this result. In to this result. not lead may leadership former CIA general counsel Jeffrey 2002, Smith told talkingnot they’re “Ifdead, they’re Hersh, martyrs.” more create and you to you, Afghan leave troops end aftermay U.S. to is sure the war with Al Qaeda istan, The United States will keep continue. Even if he cannot if he to Even face enemy see the If he is entering airspace. hostile face, be shot down he could a pilot, he were afteror captured parachuting to the like could end up in a place He ground. his to know and get Hilton, the Hanoi or He could taunt enemy all well. too or forgiven, be brainwashed be taunted, He if not ransomed. or be exchanged, be a warrior. in a word, could, - - . The Rangerdid . The Yorker New

OME SOLDIERS AND CIA PERSONNEL PERSONNEL OME SOLDIERS AND CIA - some “There’s dislike the game. that drones thing about pilotless

Drone operators are not without not without operatorsDrone are doesn’t strike way me as an honorable doesn’t a former Army Ranger told of warfare,” for2009 arti a journalist Jane Mayer clein but he was thinking not quote Homer, Spartan or like the who like Diomedes, scorned arrows. He was thinking of the scorned arrows. but also of riskpersonal taken in combat, An the responsibility felt for taking life. this respon ancient soldier might accept sibility without qualm. A contemporary sibility without qualm. likely this duty, soldier is more to ponder worthand ask whether a goal killing for is The operator worthalso a goal dying for. need not ask this question. of a drone tiating with terrorists, and the new of one with terrorists, tiating a criminal as Qaeda Al enterprise. treating at civilian was humanitarian horror There war- casualties conventional caused by not immaculate. warfare is drone Yet fare. and in killed and wounded, Civilians are Afghanistantoand led has that Pakistan “the onlytown.” game in against protests

conscience. Many have found job the have Many conscience. Mayer and some, intensely stressful, flight suits at wear to said are reported, the operator that That reminds work. run. making a bombing after all, he is, S

HEROES AND DRONES

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n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY is an associate professor of of is an associate professor

F. S. NAIDEN S. F. history at the University of North Carolina, history at the University of North Carolina, The on at work He is now Chapel Hill. Invention ofInvention the Officer a study of Corps , the army Alexander the Great. of Drones should serve the familiar should serveDrones the familiar of course, Americans like gadgets, rence thought Bumppo exemplified “the thought Bumppo exemplified rence isolate, hard, . . Americanessential . soul dead shot with his Kentucky rifle. Law Kentucky shot with his dead rifle. the post are Drones and a killer.” stoic, deadly gad silent, modern equivalent: solitary frontiersman’s that do the gets win or lose do not But gadgets work. Soldiers do. and nations wars. instrument of assassination, they will turn instrumentassassination, of againstwar into enemy an against war psychologicala cultural and leaders, his our give Drones shift backfire. that may responsibility, soldiers no combat own our techniciansand they too much. give purpose of inflicting casualties in tan They surrender. dem with inducing should not serve purpose the novel of - negotia casualties, troops, replacing whole busi and heroism—the tions, ness of war—with gadgetry. they and especially militarythe kind, H. D. silent type. the strong, admire in Lawrence spotted this predilection novel characterthe of Natty Bumppo, Bumppo is a hero. frontier ist Cooper’s - - - Drones are tempting. Compared to Compared tempting. are Drones ives. Compared to artillery or bombs, they artilleryto Compared or bombs, ives. Just as the Indians acquired muskets, Al Qaeda will acquire drones. liquidate a target like Awlaki. Used as an Used Awlaki. like liquidate a target harm as well as good. They will liquidate harm as good. as well they like bin Ladena target the same way cydides might have predicted. Just as the predicted. cydides might have will Al Qaeda muskets, Indians acquired of That is another one drones. acquire one by used A weapon truisms: warfare’s by be acquired side will or later sooner play two The game will have the other. of the gameThe outcome not one. ers, will be exponentially to predict. harder attackers’ they save spears or even guns, l deploying drones, and Al Qaeda will keepQaeda and Al drones, deploying While to averse not arsenal. its own using weapon, long-range man’s using the poor or IED device, explosive the improvised Al Qae (often cell phone), by detonated face-to-face the poor man’s da also uses Suicide- bomb the suicide bomb. weapon, of the heroes as martyrs, counted ers are The asymmetrical lexicon. their religious Then for time. on some go may conflict Thu fortuneof change will a come that save civilians’ lives. Used to the exclusion of Used lives. civilians’ save they will do however, forces, conventional

HEROES AND DRONES cover story cover MEXICAN MOMENTUM

A fter years of political gridlock in Mexico, a new president has unleashed a startling array of reforms. Is the country heading in the right direction? STEVEN DUDLEY on the new calculus of the fight against the drug cartels

ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS with a photo-essay on the lives of Mexicans

DUNCAN WOOD on reviving the energy industry

JESUS VELASCO on Mexico’s brain drain

THe wilson quarterly AUTUMN 2013 GETTY IMAGES Arrests of police officers and other officials are a disconcertingly common sight in Mexico. This former federal police officer was arrested in Mexico City earlier this year and charged with leading a gang that committed robberies and kidnappings. DRUG DEALS

A new president is betting that making peace with the drug cartels is the key to a safer Mexico.

BY STEVEN DUDLEY

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

- THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Treviño’s capture was the biggest biggest the capture was Treviño’s The arrests represented a slight a slight represented The arrests to change the narrative created by his his by created to change the narrative whose Calderón, Felipe predecessor, criminal assault against organizafrontal but yielded results good had tions some from the outset that Peña Nieto wanted Nieto the outset that Peña from et, accused of multiple crimes in both crimes both multiple in of accused et, the United States—most Mexico and in massacres two ordering notoriously, than 200 Mexicanswhich were more to participate for some refusing killed, As in his drug operations. smuggling Zetas of the feared criminalthe head a Mex- represents Treviño organization, ican underworld violent that is more and fragmented than ever before—and criminal pursuing diversified, also more enterprises drugs. beyond had Nieto Enrique Peña President blow struck against organized crime since It was in December 2012. taking office another dramatic capture in by followed when authorities Gulf arrested August, Treviño Cartel Mario leader Ramírez alias to the Zetas leader), (no relation Ramírez taken was Treviño, Like X-20. surpriseby without a shot and captured being fired. strategic shift against large fight in the It was clear Mexico. in criminalgroups

FEW HOURS BEFORE DAWN ON JULY 15, 15, ON JULY DAWN HOURS BEFORE FEW Blackhawka swooped helicopter pickupmoving a Ford on down STEVEN DUDLEY

That man was Miguel Ángel Treviño. Treviño. Ángel That man was Miguel quickly about 16 miles a dirt along road The chopper’s border. Texas south of the who sudden appearance startled the driver, three truck’s The the brakes. slammed on and the doors open, occupants shoved threw themselves of the men two to the startedThe third running away ground. organization, which was started by former organization, which was started by former members of an elite Mexican military unit. NEWSCOM alias Z-40, was Miguel Ángel Treviño, the Zetas criminal He headed arrested in July. through the desert brush, but was quickly the desertthrough brush, Mexican security by surrounded forces. was one he the alias Z-40, by Known plan- the on men wanted most the of

By A

DRUG DEALS

- - - - telenovela telenovela THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY EÑA NIETO SEEMS AS IF HE WERE SEEMS AS IF HE WERE EÑA NIETO hand The be president. to made former well-spoken governor some, Once the country’s permanent polit ical powerbroker, the PRI ruled Mexico ical powerbroker, holding by than 70 years for more locknear-total country’sa the on var- a dis through ious echelons of power political vindictive ciplined and fiercely Mario Ramírez Treviño, alias X-20, head alias X-20, head Mario Ramírez Treviño, of the Gulf Cartel, was known more for his brutality than his business acumen when he was arrested in August. AP IMAGES deeper foray into the institutions that foraydeeper the institutions into Mexicangovern society. which geograph of Mexico, of the state District of icallythe Federal surrounds is not only a PRI stalwart Mexico City, but is married to the popular actress Angélica Rivera. Angélica Rivera. actress P - - - In many ways, Mexicans seen a have ways, In many and a polite smile. and a polite smile. prioritizing the new was president tel, the biggest over the most violent gangs has also Nieto Peña drug traffickers. successfully a single command created He has center in the Interior Ministry. the areas toward shifted resources some and drug-related violence, by hit hardest in tightlyhis administration controls formation and arrests. about homicides Nieto’s to the old daysreturn when Peña RevolutionaryInstitutional (PRI) Party ruled the country and fist with an iron The party’s discipline a polite smile. the change from a welcome represents government, chaos of his predecessor’s but its past entanglements with crim And worryalso inals observers. some reasons are there term, the longer over crime can problem be to ask if Mexico’s new another solved crime-fighting by a or whether that will require strategy, PRI ruled with an iron fist with an iron PRI ruled in And also a nasty in violence. surge the Zetastargeting and the Gulf Car old days when Peña Nieto’s when Peña Nieto’s old days have seen a return to the a return to have seen In many ways, Mexicans Mexicans ways, In many

DRUG DEALS

- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY In some ways, Calderón tried- to repli Calderón ways, In some But the Colombian comparison cut twocut comparison Colombian the But ways. The antidrug campaign ratcheted ways. to some leading up the level of violence, crisis in the late 1980s, recall Colombia’s over the anticartelover effort to and pushed country’sput the mu corruption-prone the control under forces nicipal police and ultimatelyof the states the federal the He began purging government. police at every level dispatched and the and the military to areas Police Federal the violence. by hit hard cate and oth the strategies of Colombia countrieser successfully have that coun By the middle of his narco-violence. tered military Colombian were officers term, training Mexican police in jungle war Just and counterinsurgencyfare tactics. forged Calderón done, had as Colombia with the United relationship a stronger Under the Mérida of Initiative States. the United States has provided 2008, $1.9 billion in assistance to the antidrug of “kingpinstrategy” Calderón’s effort. high-level organizedtargeting crime fig and extraditing them to the United ures States for trial also echoed the approach push to begin as did the in Colombia, an inquisitorial changing judicial from to courts, its judge-driven with system, U.S.-style open and transparent a more system. adversarial

- - - It was Calderón who inaugurated the who inaugurated the It was Calderón That was only the beginning. Calderón Calderón That was only the beginning. structure. Its reign ended in 2000 with in 2000 ended Its reign structure. Party Action of National the election who was Vicente candidate Fox, (PAN) right-leaning the by 2006 in succeeded Calderón. PAN’s campaign the drug against aggressive cartels the news that has filled media in with the need to es- Faced years. recent - lead strong a as credentials his tablish er after securing victory in a disputed chose to make secu Calderón election, rity—a term Mexicans use to encapsu ills about the many late their concerns of the drug out of the power growing of issue organizations—the defining a week over Just administration. his he dispatched after his inauguration, the army state to his embattled home of Mexico City, west of Michoacán, Michoacán the quasi-religious where its own which fashioned had Family, bible-styled manual to guide its was a deeply members and followers, the drug in trade. player entrenched beefed up intelligence and threw the beefed up intelligence and threw the part navy into the fight—in because tainted been had reputation army’s the corruptionallegations of and human by to es hard He worked rights abuses. tablish the Fox-created Secretariat for tablish the Fox-created Public Security of control as the center

DRUG DEALS

REDUX THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Poire had a point. The MexicanThe cartels a point. had Poire co-opt local officials and others who can and others co-opt local officials be useful to them, not to capture national not to capture be useful to them, important more from Even political power. Co- of Mexicanthe perspective officials, place violent was and is a far more lombia murder Colombia’s In 1996, than Mexico. rate was more than three times higher than times higher than three rate was more violence against And is today. Mexico’s not approximate civilians in Mexico does what happened in Colombia. Americans’ drug as as well consumption Americans’ States the United gun trafficking from as causes violence in Mexico. of the but they territory, capable of controlling are They aim a politicaldo not have agenda. to - - - Rhetoric from the presidential palace palace the presidential Rhetoric from when drug lord Pablo Escobar terrorized Escobar drugwhen Pablo lord “Cartels are the countrywith bombings. indices of in and more more showing Secretary of surgencies,” State Hillary looking “It’s declaredClinton 2010. in Colombia like and more more looked narcotraffickers the where ago, 20 years controlled certain parts of the country.” these share do not “We stiffened. soon be is a big difference as there findings, and what faced what Colombia tween top Calderón’s today,” Mexico is facing an Poire, Alejandro security adviser, Calderón newsa at nounced conference. frequently about began speaking more Felipe López, an innocent bystander in a clash between rival criminal groups. Felipe López, an innocent bystander in a clash In the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, family members mourn the 2011 death of 16-year-old Luis Luis mourn the 2011 death of 16-year-old In the Pacific resort city of Acapulco, family members

DRUG DEALS

- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY term at least, there would be would there term at least,

debate reflected a reality: thatdebate reflected other candidates. The lack of other candidates. instead of focusing on drug of focusinginstead on traf- positions on the security issue, the security on positions issue, the problem of violent crime the problem URING HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, URING HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, carefully Nieto outstaked Peña his The carnage devastated communi ties, and it went on to hurt on and it went the national ties, in lost confidence Investors economy. invest direct and foreign the country, to its ment fell in 2012, 34.9 percent gross to relative years 20 in point lowest product. domestic ficking organizations. Strikingly, however, however, Strikingly, ficking organizations. he mostly the security avoided question, as did the substantive substantive arguing that the government needed to needed arguing that the government address throughout the country. Extortion and the country. throughout common. became also kidnapping more kingpinsof capture or frac- death The a spike creating criminal groups, tured survivorsthe as bloodshed in fought The criminal justice vacuum. the to fill system strained handle to the burden. in resulted Eightymurders of percent startlingthe this to Add prosecution. no killed reality that 60,000 people were administration, during the Calderón disappeared. and another 25,000 some overlap with Calderón’s strategy. strategy. overlapsome with Calderón’s quick solutions are not possible, and that, that, and possible, not quickare solutions in the short generally D - -

Yet Calderón was forced to grapple to grapple was forced Calderón Yet Calderón could also boast of some some could also boast of Calderón lynewthe that expected security plan the violence for a time, increase would not just in rates kept rising, but murder traffickingthe traditional corridors but securityfor drugs personnel - admin and polygraphistered tests inquiring into to criminal their connections groups, of them from percent 10 removing pushed the new It had judicial service. and passed system into several states, new anti-corruption and anti–money vi- the despite And launderinglaws. Mexican the tourist industry olence, in 2011. year a record enjoyed ful His team had truths. with awkward than Mexico. a far more violent place violent place a far more Colombia was and is is and was Colombia tangible results. By the end of his term, end of his term, By the tangible results. killed had or captured his government “most 25 of the 37 criminals its on extradited hundreds had It list. wanted” of criminals States to the United and effectively of the coun dismantled one try’s premier criminal organizations, try’s criminal organizations, premier As of November Tijuana Cartel. the than 330,000 tested more it had 2012,

DRUG DEALS

- THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY When the president talks about Whenabout talks president the The government talks up its reforms as “Mexico’s Moment,” in what is little more than a public-relations effort to brush the continuing violence under the rug. Information that was routinely released Informationwas routinely that released locked is now years during Calderón the including basic information some away, instead government The the cartels. on - re politicaltalks up its and economic in what is Moment,” “Mexico’s forms as effort than a public-relations little more to brush violence under the continuing the rug. he uses new terminology security, His broad. and keeps his objectives plan emphasizes “Mexico in Peace” - and the protec violence prevention of human rightstion while promis and of police ing better coordination “The other security-related agencies. importantand part results get to is peace providing of our objective fulfill sensibly and tranquility to Mexicans, he told the the violence,” reducing Mexican Congress.

- - - - Nieto’s security for plan Nieto’s

The PRI’s return to power has brought has brought to power return The PRI’s Instead, Peña Nieto focused on corrup focused on Nieto Peña Instead, tion both during and after the campaign. during both tion and after the campaign. surprisingIt was not - that his adminis before arrest high-profile first tration’s Z-40 was corralled desert in the was of head the longtime Elba Esther Gordillo, teach- 1.4-million-member of Mexico’s been had years forwho many union, ers’ and officials government shaking down who had Gordillo, members alike. union the mistake of challengingmade Peña authority during a debate over Nieto’s has been charged a new education law, with embezzling $200 million in a casethat has served that the to affirm swift political is back discipline PRI’s To be sure, Peña Peña be sure, To in force. a distinct change in the political en at the The party’s 71 years vironment. it to develop allowed 2000 helm before a highly centralized form of decision making and information dissemination. all but Nieto Peña to tradition, True uncomfortableignores issues such as security and tries pub a lid on to keep Gone licityabout crime and violence. the perp confer are walks and the press ences announcing every capture or kill. his own state, announced in 2010 while he in 2010 while announced state, his own a virtual was replica governor, was a state of Calderón’s. of Calderón’s.

DRUG DEALS - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY That kind of tacit agreement with the agreement tacit of That kind Other to parties not immune are sue more focused operations. Such ac focused operations. more sue may government that the suggest tions an informalbe seeking accommodation sorta narco-pact. of traffickers, the with cartels violence would to reduce in order members many 2000, Before not be new. of the old PRI publicly thrived off the lar including some of druggesse traffickers, Nieto’s members of Peña now who are Hank Jorge is them of One circle. inner former mayor the flamboyant Rhon, of the country’s who is one Tijuana, of richestmen and widely thought to be In Tijuana Cartel. an associate of the a member of his security team 1988, journalista murdering of convicted was activities, into Rhon’s who was looking himself was arrested and in 2011 Rhon by He was released charges. weapons on evi- of insufficient grounds on a judge evendence dozensthough - of unregis reportedly guns were tered found in his including been used that had two home, business extensive Rhon’s in homicides. and the a bank, includeinterests casinos, sup He strongly Tijuana soccer team. bid for power. Nieto’s ported Peña before years many For narco-influence. to the incentives office, took Calderón Vio the cartels low. relatively fight were now, is it as widespread as not was lence

- - - - - But there are also signs that little has are But there He has channeled more money into money channeledHe has more Secretariat for Public Security, once again once Secretariat for Public Security, Ministry in the centralizing power of the has also called He for the cre Interior. ation of a new of gendarmerieation national to the militaryreplace as the country’s go- organizedto shock unit to fight crime. Within few first his reallychanged. in what seemed like déjà in office, months sent to were troops Mexicans, vu to many Michoacánrising deal with to insecurity “self-defense” of newand the emergence has at least Nieto Peña Still, groups. Most assault. frontal Calderón’s slowed he has all but stopped prosecut notably, ing Mexicans for drug-related crimes. - govern the During years, Calderón the 6,500 new casesment launched a record against health,” “crimes forper month which mostly drug involve traffick- the office, took Nieto Since Peña ing. less to monthly has dropped average strategic in the And corri than 1,000. during violence was the worst dors where military police and years, Calderón the and roadblocks down taken units have op search-and-seizure stopped regular explained army As one colonel erations. military the was told to take its to me, foot pur off the accelerator and instead prevention programs in high-violence high-violence in programs prevention and dissolved the PAN-created areas

DRUG DEALS

------THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Even if Peña Nieto chooses to nego Nieto if Peña Even Subsequent the Mexi by statements tiate with the cartels, there is now is now there tiate with the cartels, he can if anyone, of whom, a question faced Calderón In 2006, with. negotiate but seven major criminal organizations, with con dozens, confronts Nieto Peña They are stantly changing leadership. also but they are smaller cases, in some been embold better armed and have their formal formal and not so ened by can government on the Caro Quinterocan the Caro on government divided. an administration affair reveal office while the attorney Even general’s it irregularities in the release, admitted back States that the United also fired drugsentences to inadequate given has extradited from kingpins who were and the PRI are the PAN Both Mexico. reg harsh critics States, of the United ularly blaming it for fostering Mexico’s domestic a huge hosting by problems failing to battle money drug economy, and giv- laundering with enough vigor, ing criminals to weapons easy access through its lax gun laws. These criticisms its lax gun laws. through readi a theybut reveal also merit, have ness to pass the buck. Drug Enforcement Agency. Afterloud Drug Agency. Enforcement the Obama from administra protests the Mexican a issued government tion, arrest—but Quintero’s warrant for Caro vanished. he had

- - Peña Nieto himself is already fac himself is already Nieto Peña ing accusations that he is influenced that he is influenced ing accusations federala court, August, In narcos. by citing a technicalthe original issue in abruptly Guadalajara released trial, and campaign and other contributions dozens. Cartel Quintero cofounder Rafael Caro afterserved he had of his 40- years 28 sentence for the 1985 killing of year of the U.S. an agent Enrique Camarena, but Peña Nieto confronts criminal organizations, criminal organizations, Calderón faced seven major idence, the reality is that local politicians, the reality is that local politicians, idence, little choice but have whatever the party, the terms of their existenceto negotiate criminalwith entrenched groups. the Democratic for Revolution colluding of many Although with drug traffickers. out for lack of ev thrown these cases were ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, and Calderón’s and Calderón’s Sinaloaties to the Cartel, - num a against charges filed government the leftist from of Party ber of mayors gifts for plentiful drug bosses were from Fox, and securitypoliticians alike. forces have politicians and other PAN Calderón, of accusations been constantly by dogged

DRUG DEALS

- - tel THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The criminal challenge, however, keeps however, The criminal challenge, members, which could prevent some some which could prevent members, surviving between conflict the of cartel fragments that has caused so much years. violence in recent changing form. Treviño’s Zetas remain Treviño’s changing form. terrifyinglyThe the principal target. of the one Zetas, of the quick spread of the has been one new cartels, splinter and main driversof violence in Mexico, success has spawned the organization’s a creating smaller copycats, numerous These chaotic underworld. more much new do not appear to fear the groups - of that govern and much government, offer ment still appears to be for hire, criminaling organizationsof all sizes - ammuni weapons, personnel, crooked and prosecution, from protection tion, the shifting is why That political cover. there have been numerous arrests of car arrests been numerous have there treated with little fanfare evenas the little fanfare with treated The news the story. feasted media on triumph of a rare represented arrests secu the nation’s among coordination rity of targeting and effective agencies causing violence. the most the groups stands disciplined approach The PRI’s in sharp contrast to that of the previous, say Officials administration. PAN-led, structhey aim to dismantle the entire - criminal organizations duo’s of the ture and rather than merely decapitate them, - - - The outlines of a new can approach Peña Nieto’s focus on reducing the the focus reducing on Nieto’s Peña to interpretation. to interpretation. Treviño foundbe of also capture the in which the government and Ramírez, pears to be paying dividends. Violence is payingto be pears dividends. is subject much although just how down, connections to the larger organizations, organizations, to the larger connections weaponry them given which have and safe to houses and corruptaccess offi - prolif have businesses side Their cials. includeerated and now the domestic and kid extortion, sale of illegal drugs, Preserving the international napping. drug trade is not necessarily their first which parlay makes any with priority, - vastlythe government compli more even cartels if powerful Indeed, cated. call of for areas less violence in their not clear will it’s their word influence, for ex In Baja California, be heeded. reportssome that are there ample, orders ignored have sub-commanders of the Sinaloa leaders Cartel from to with murders. heating the plaza” “stop overall level in Mexico is the of violence change he has and most laudable biggest in the country’smade security strategy. to see it is hard though, On the ground, the So far, exactly what it will entail. military more of movement police and has to violence-ridden areas resources ap- it and change, visible most the been

DRUG DEALS

-

a former Wilsona former Center

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n Washington, D.C, and in Medellín, Colombia. Colombia. and in Medellín, D.C, Washington, STEVEN DUDLEY, fellow, is the codirector of InSight Crime is the codirector , a fellow, and think tank devoted to the investigation analysis of organized crime in the Americas. at AmericanIt has offices University in In order to shiftto order In power of balance the system of criminal law is in place, but the system of criminal place, law is in expend all to willgovernment its have political capital the states to adopt to get newthe systemlegal adversarial is that reform by companion code’s the penal 2016 deadline. the proposed Peña permanently the cartels, against heavily more to invest will have Nieto institu of unglamorous kind this in The challenge be may reform. tional to ready are than he and the PRI larger has enjoyed Mexico But while accept. stability will only successes, some to when it has solid institutions come upon. rest

- - - The Peña Nieto administration is is administration Nieto The Peña strategies City in Mexico of politicians onlypose temporary challenges to the long- The government’s underworld. term strategyreform focuson must criminal that the ing the institutions in oftenorganizations now feed on, and judiciary, the cludingpolice, the the prisons. as its pre moving as slowly this front on It has shelved its plan for decessor did. gendarmerie to a national and returned easily more seeking to put police reform, under the corruptible forces municipal But this authority state-run of police. Of the 50,000 police effort is stalling. for Calderón, under purged were who still than 40,000 are more example, drawing because a paycheck of labor Judi- laws and political intransigence. A cial reform is also moving at a crawl. uniformrequires that code penal new the states to implement a common

DRUG DEALS PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

A photographer explores Mexico’s hopeful future and heavy past.

BY ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS

OCTOBER 2007 A vocalist for Banda Unicornio, Julio Cesar Vasquez Rivera, 19, holds his stage costume. Rivera, who lives in Guanajuato, a state in central Mexico that has lost many residents to emigration, was planning his first trip to the United States.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY By ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS

A P R I L 2 0 1 2 Siblings Rosa Maria, 6, Yasmin, 17, Juan Antonio, 1, and Juan Manuel, 14, gather in their temporary home. The Romero-Dias family—a household of nine, headed by a single mother—would soon move into a new residence designed by Tierra Savia. Based in Ciudad Juárez, a city of 1.5 million across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, Tierra Savia employs Juarezeños living in extreme poverty to build their own eco-friendly houses from dirt.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

FEBRUARY 2008 Micaela Rivera, of Villa de Vázquez, outside Mexico City, and her mother bor- rowed $3,550 from Compartamos for their homemade-cheese business. Com- partamos (“we share” in Spanish) is a commercial microlender that has become one of Mexico’s most profitable banks. Today, its average customer pays a year- ly interest rate of about 80 percent.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

JUNE 2007 Carlos Slim, a Mexican businessman and perhaps the world’s richest person, with a net worth of $73 billion, poses in his Mexico City gallery amid his private art collection.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

SEPTEMBER 2012 Yaihr Castillo García, 8, plays outside his family’s home in Ciudad Juárez. His sister, Brenda Berenice, went missing while in a downtown neighborhood. She is one of hundreds of women and girls who have disappeared in the area since 1993. Some bodies have been found, many bearing marks of torture.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

JANUAR Y 2 0 0 7 Fernando Ramírez Rangel, chef and owner of Maria del Alma, a restaurant in the fashionable Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City, specializes in cuisine from rainforest-covered Tabasco, a southeastern state on the Gulf of Mexico.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

A P R I L 2 0 1 2 A model waits backstage at a fashion show organized by Amor por Juárez (Love for Juárez), a group that hopes to revitalize the city through the arts.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

PORTRAITS OF MEXICO: A PHOTO-ESSAY

A P R I L 2 0 1 3 In Culiacán, Sinaloa, a city on the Gulf of California notorious for drug-related violence, women dance in a cemetery during a birthday party for a man who died the year before, at age 35.

ADRIANA ZEHBRAUSKAS is a freelance photojournalist from Brazil. Based in Mexico City for the past nine years, she contributes regularly to The New York Times, and her work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Glamour Magazine, The Guardian, and Paris Match. She is an instructor for Foundry Photojournalism Workshops, which holds photojournalism courses in developing nations.

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 GETTY IMAGES With two cabinet ministers by his side, President Enrique Peña Nieto announces his much-anticipated energy reform package in August. RAISING LÁZARO

In a year that brought an eruption of ambitious reform measures, the biggest of them all is the proposed overhaul of Mexico’s iconic national oil company.

BY DUNCAN WOOD

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013

- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The government’s proposal came hard proposal The government’s last office took Nieto Since Peña on the heels of several of heels the sweeping other on re A labor law legislation. pieces of support Nieto’s passed with Peña form, to promises office, he took just before bring Mexican some labor markets controver A flexibility. much-needed sial school subject reform billwould teachers to formal evaluations and gen In erally accountable. make them more the government telecommunications, challenged virtual in the monopolies with television and markets telephone and a financial new antitrust measures, reform will encourage banks to increase and businesses. lending to consumers capped Nieto a Peña In September, a package of introducing by busy year including tax reforms, revenue-raising insurance of an old-age the promise po But because of its great program. tential to generate jobs and economic the energy package is seen as the growth, of all reforms.” “mother the banner of the In under December, Revolutionarystitutional (PRI), Party - Na two his than achievedhas he more predecessors, (PAN) Party Action tional were Calderón, and Felipe Vicente Fox Each of Peña able to pull off in 12 years.

- tesoro nacional tesoro

EVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, ECSTATIC ECSTATIC YEARS AGO, EVENTY-FIVE Zócalo, the Mexicans thronged capitaltheir central immense city’s DUNCAN WOOD

Today, however, Mexico’s streets ring streets Mexico’s however, Today, By (national treasure), and Petróleos Mexi- and Petróleos treasure), (national oil company the national canos (Pemex), became a monument created, Cárdenas to Mexican pride. demon with speeches and chants by stratorsof ambitious array an opposing Enrique President by reforms proposed months during Nieto his first Peña significant than more none in office, his call to shake up Pemex in August the country’sand reopen economy and private oil companies to foreign firms. domestic square, to celebrate President Lázaro Lázaro to celebrate President square, to nationalize decision the Cárdenas’s that companies assets of the foreign By the tens of oil. Mexico’s controlled cash, jewelry, thousands they donated evenand chickens the provide help to promised had Cárdenas compensation the decision The day the companies. became a 18, March was announced, many what marking holiday national Mexicans a signature still consider country’s in their moment struggle for American dignity from and freedom Oil was the imperialism. S

RAISING LÁZARO

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY sexenio crises because they often Then came a dozen years of frustration. Then came a dozen of frustration. years That is not to say that nothing changed. that nothing changed. That is not to say The country’s political system evolved, its democratic and Mexico consolidated competitive establishing institutions, Although the norm. as the elections of building a democratic culture process the shift to free complete, is far from is particularly and fair elections impres the country’s history. given sive recent coincided with the end of a president’s with the end of a president’s coincided mis- term) financial causedsix-year by of and surges corruption, management, By choosing the spending. pre-election in 2000, their president as Fox PAN’s opted for a fundamental the voters democratic systemshift a more toward of faster economic and the promise accountability and greater growth It is not for nothing that the international press is calling this “Mexico’s Moment.” political leader Mario Vargas Llosa, who Llosa, Vargas political Mario leader evenSoviet exceeded said it communism tired Theyhad subtlety. in its malign crises(known financial recurring its of as the government. from

- Ni is that Peña situation current PRI is the same party that eto’s NE OF THE GREAT IRONIES OF THE IRONIES NE OF THE GREAT

ruled interruption without for years 71 and defending creating until 2000, seeks to he now of the institutions many emerging from It was the PRI, overhaul. the Mexican of 1910–20, Revolution modern and shaped Pemex that created polit- the national controlling Mexico, opposition the co-opting icalscene by the turn of But by elections. and fixing the century Mexicans enough had had perfect “a systema of described once as and novelist Peruvian by dictatorship”

Nieto’s reforms has required taking on on taking required reforms has Nieto’s labor interests—the vested powerful telecommunications teachers, unions, the banks, and Carlosbillionaire Slim, closely coordinating respectively—and the parties, main opposition with the and the leftist Party conservative PAN of the Democratic (PRD). Revolution partiesBoth opposition been have and internal divisions, by weakened each believesin faction dominant the may with the government that working frustratedpersuade that it can voters has been a The result things done. get It period of extraordinary cooperation. is not for nothing that the international Moment.” “Mexico’s is callingpress this O

RAISING LÁZARO

- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Despite the growth of the economy of the economy Despite the growth and the consolidation of democracy, of democracy, and the consolidation nearly re half the population however, mained in poverty. Fox and Calderón and Calderón Fox mained in poverty. widely criticizedwere for failing to cre with Along equitable society. ate a more this harsh assessment came accusations of corruption and general ineffective Nieto Peña before In the six years ness. saw Calderón for example, office, took at every rejected his reform proposals PRI partyan opposition turn by that All simplywas negotiate. to unwilling the by magnified were of these failures of drug-related and violence upsurge insecurity that began after 2006 with - - - - GETTY IMAGES “Serving the nation,” have long proved a heady mix in Mexican politics. Petroleum and patriotism says this 1956 Pemex sign. Thanks in partin Thanks Norththe to American Mexico has be- Agreement, Trade Free export leading of the world’s one come goods manufactured shipping more ers, everyabroad of Latin than the rest year Increasingly those America combined. not just to the United States, go goods around customers other but to many the world—everything textiles to from such goods as auto high-value-added and metalwork aircraft parts, mobiles, middle class has Mexico’s ing machines. and the rate of homeowner too, grown, - prod domestic Gross rise. the on is ship about $5,600 in uct per capita from rose in 2012. $9,700 2000 to some

RAISING LÁZARO

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Only the chance discovery of a to move. Pemex was another rock rock another was Pemex Calderón failed Fox and huge oil field in the Gulf of Mexico in the Gulf oil field of Mexico huge came The find the decline. reversed after named Rudesindo a fisherman repeatedlyCantarell Pemex accused for complaining several of oil spills, the surface oil floating on of that years been ruiningthe ocean had his nets. finally geologists went When Pemex

-

EMEX WAS ANOTHER ROCK FOX AND ANOTHER EMEX WAS Calderón failed to move. The The failed to move. Calderón remained oil company national

major drugmajor traffickers. NEWSCOM in the Gulf of Mexico has suffered rapidly declining Once a bountiful source of oil, the Cantarell field output since 2006. marked the beginning of a long period the beginning of a long ofmarked By the 1960s, virtually stagnant output. to importing been reduced Mexico had oil. foreign the Calderón administration’s war against administration’s the Calderón ed the nationalization of 1938, yet it yet of 1938, ed the nationalization

an almost sacred symbol of Mexican symbolof Mexican sacred an almost the Yet pride. sovereigntyand national performance leftcompany’s to be much celebrat Mexicans long have desired. P

RAISING LÁZARO

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Beyond the overwhelmingBeyond focus on Mexico’s national oil production cur- production oil national Mexico’s struggling desperately to struggling desperately to increase gas imports from the United States. Gas-rich Mexico is Gas-rich Mexico is thanks to high oil prices, production has production high oil prices, thanks to flow a steady to maintain been sufficient the government, and Pemex of money to the decline has caused in consternation of output The reduction policy ranks. than 800,000 bpd since 2004 more by mil- $80 some translatesof loss a into a (assuming in revenue each day lion the fact Given price of $100 per barrel). consumption hydrocarbon that national to boost both Mexico will have is rising, its reserves signifi and its production cantly if it is not again years in coming a net importerto become of oil. vitally a second important ener- oil, gy largelyunnoticed: has gone issue developto natu- its failure Mexico’s including massive ral gas resources, reservesgas shale rankthat the as the to according sixth largest, world’s Energy Information Agency. U.S. rently stands at 2.55 million bpd, down down rently bpd, 2.55 million stands at While, million in 2010. 2.6 slightly from - - - - Pemex was not just pumping oil; it was just pumping oil; was not Pemex also pumping money into the govern also pumping money rev- tax Dependence on coffers. ment’s about which provide Pemex, enues from contributed for of its income, a third - reluc to the government’s years many financial up the company tance to free the abundance And ly or operationally. easy not it made field of the Cantarell While the future. about to think much - compa oil national better-governed in Columbia nies such as Ecopetrol advanced, in Brazil have and Petrobras in investments on has skimped Pemex This has technology and operations. left at the it unable to keep producing - Inade high levels seen a decade ago. exploration and quate spending on serious since problem production—a abil the mid-1980s—has hurt Pemex’s oil As a result, ity to tap new resources. has declinedproduction dramatically the past nine years. over global oil industry. By 2004 the country By 2004 industry. global oil than 3.4 million more was producing (bpd) and was exporting per day barrels primarily to the of it, than half more United States. to investigate in 1976, they stumbled they stumbled 1976, in investigate to the to be Estimated the field. upon in the world oil deposit at third-largest catapult field Cantarell the time, the the of leagues big into the Mexico ed

RAISING LÁZARO

- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY tesoro nacional. But it also means tesoro EÑA NIETO’S PEMEX PROPOSALS WILL PROPOSALS PEMEX EÑA NIETO’S not provide a quick fix for quick a the nat- not provide fix but they nev ural gas imbroglio, deals. That means that foreign firms firms That means that foreign deals. will not physically of the possess any scheme makes (A profit-sharing sector. for companies difficult more it much ertheless promise profound changes in changes in profound ertheless promise The president energy sector. Mexico’s in of reform, areas main laid out five cluding a corporate and reorganization take of of the government’s a reduction By far the most im revenues. Pemex’s portant an amendment change involves the spirit Invoking constitution. the to tiptoed Nieto Peña of Lázaro Cárdenas, propos by a politicalthrough minefield a clause that was writtening to restore in 1940 but later into the Constitution land concessions It prohibited removed. the but did give oil companies to foreign flexibility greater in much government oil determining to exploit Mexico’s how it allows Specifically, and gas reserves. and profit-sharing both production- and private firms with foreign contracts in deference But, Mexican companies. Nieto Peña to the delicacy of the subject, cautiously only that he would specified seek legislative approval for approval profit-sharing seek legislative precious significantly willthat companies have less in the Mexican energy to invest incentive P

- The shale gas revolution to the northThe shale gas revolution from China and Mexico to Kentucky China and Mexico to Kentucky from costs. fuel in part of low to take advantage prices down, increasing demand. Be- demand. increasing prices down, gas costscause sourced its conventionally cut gas Pemex however, to produce, more occasionsof number a On production. shortagesgas duringyears, two past the in Mexico to shut companies forced have Pemex manufacturingdown processes. natural the gas importshas increased from natu- but the cross-border United States, operat- is already ral gas pipeline network and it will take several ing at full capacity, Mexicans it can before be expanded. years watch as their now in dismay must States for new in the competition indus- recently for example, General Electric, try. shifted production of its refrigerator some energy-rich country loses out to the United global competitiveness. But a perverse ef- global competitiveness. ofThe surge in Mexico. fect has occurred drove market the onto cheapcoming gas Because of its preoccupation with efforts with Because its preoccupation of the rapidto stem decline of oil pro Pemex in the Gulfduction of Mexico, in onlyhas made investment minimal has led to the unhappy That shale gas. spectacle of gas-rich struggling Mexico desperately gas importsto increase from the United States. of new thousands jobs in thehas created United States and greatly enhanced its

RAISING LÁZARO - is the director of the Mexico is the director

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n Institute at the WilsonInstitute at the Center. DUNCAN WOOD Although the Pemex reform is far from is far from reform the Pemex Although constitutional proposal on energy on proposal constitutional also is there so supportthe has PAN, the of that it willlittle doubt pass. sought by “wholeenchilada” the being the the right on by in Mexico and many it will move and gas industry, global oil forwardMexico another step in the the liberal of economic consolidation that began with the path development debt crisisand the North of the 1980s in Agreement Trade American Free problems. Mexico still large faces 1992. violent and inequality rife, are Poverty and the rule of law crime is pervasive, Democratic goal. a distant remains that are elections brought has progress but individual rights and fair, largely free se and those of minorities far from are stilldeal itself must Pemex And cure. including crush- challenges, with many labor union. ing debt and a tenacious in Change moment. this is a great Yet Nieto but Peña Mexico can be glacial, reforms in motion to set has managed that could markedly of the lives improve can hope that Mexico We all Mexicans. than a moment more is enjoying today of change.

- - - - The PRD, led by its éminence grise led by The PRD, There are various are ways navigate to There which is opposing the government’s ed- which is opposing the government’s Nieto’s Peña However, ucation reform. by those of the national teachers’ union, union, teachers’ those of the national by Gulf of Mexico. However, in the long run in the long However, Gulf of Mexico. transformational be a to promises this many companies will companies want to wait andmany out few the first work contracts see how theof deep waters the into diving before shift in the Mexican oil and gas sector. Cuauhtémoc Cárde energyon issues, immediately de of Lázaro, the son nas, nounced what he saw as the hijacking called name and oppo on of his father’s “privatiza against the nents to protest been joined They have of Pemex. tion” Manuel López of Andrés followers by leftist a firebrand and two- Obrador, But candidate. time PRD presidential antigovernment where in Mexico City, regularlyprotesters take to the streets, been overshadowed have their protests and contracts still need to be defined, and still to be defined, and contracts need to book any gain in their own oil reserves, oil reserves, own gain in their any to book for to raise them capital harder and thus in Mexico.) for ventures Although other challenges. these and that the has speculated the government reforms willbring private much-needed it is unlikely will see a that we capital, in the shortflood of major investments details of the legislation finer The term.

RAISING LÁZARO Newscom Students marked the centennial of the National Autonomous University of Mexico in the streets of Mexico City’s Zócalo district in 2010. The university’s more than 300,000 students are a precious resource in a country where the average citizen has only a little more than eight years of schooling. The Other Immigrants

The United States is luring many of Mexico’s best and brightest northward.

By JESUS VELASCO

THe wilson quarterly AUTUMN 2013

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar tates. S exico has only 30,000 exico has only Many of Mexico’s best minds are now best minds are Mexico’s of Many contributing to American (and global) of intellectual the strength science on Their assets they developed in Mexico. contributedachievements only have marginally and prestige to the growth and of Mexican academia and industry, coun- native their absence from their try Mexican deprives students young of important and mentors. teachers a Chapela, Ignacio example, for Take, microbial ecologist at the University He was able Berkeley. California, of to write 2001 his still controversial Nature article in which he claimed of transgenes flow the to reveal M PhD, and citizens with a live in the 11,000 of them United many who obtained graduate degrees degrees obtained graduate who many the supportdid so with the Mexi- of the in cancases, some government—in form of scholarships to study at U.S. the United ways, In many universities. ride.States a free getting is

- en- C esearch R

from some 300,000 in 2000 to to 300,000 in 2000 some from ast year, the Pew ast year, - re Project Trends Hispanic ter’s ported from that net migration JESUS VELASCO

For the most part, the United States the most part, For Amid all the controversy in the Unit in all Amid the controversy Mexico to the United States “hasStates United the stoppedto Mexico Mexicans can reversed.” have and may includedonly this trend hope that the highly and researchers skilled workers been moving to the United who have Alas, years. States in recent droves in that is unlikely. recognize significantly how of the influx Mexican the United talent has benefited ed States over illegal immigration by ed States illegal over immigration by few Americans workers, low-skilled States—and it has hurt much how The number of college-educated Mexico. Mexicans living in the United States rose By United States. United States. has not paid for the education and training of these talented newcomers. and educated in Mexico, They were

530,000 in 2010. This is a grievous This is a grievous 530,000 in 2010. loss in a country cit- the average where izen than eight has only a little more ed- to According of schooling. years Maldonado, Alma ucation researcher Mexico has only 30,000 citizens with in the of them live and 11,000 a PhD, L

The Other Immigrants

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar “All my experience [was] acquired experience my [was] acquired “All the Lacandona and Tuxtlas rainforests rainforests Tuxtlas the Lacandona and of southern Mexico. a observes Soberón, Jorge in Mexico,” servedbiologist who sec- as executive forretary Commission of the National of Biodiversity and Use Knowledge a faculty accepting in Mexico before “but my in the United States, position for good the productivity looks current Not I work.” where University of Kansas, even when Mario Molina was awarded Prize in Chemistrya Nobel for in 1995 posed by the threat revealing his work ozone to Earth’s chlorofluorocarbons recognition. did Mexico win wide layer - - Mario Molina is the kind of immigrant Mexico hates to lose. He came to the United States as a grad- United States as a the came to to lose. He Mexico hates of immigrant is the kind Mario Molina In August, President Barack Obama in Chemistry. uate student and went on to receive a Nobel Prize awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Newscom from genetically modified corn into into genetically corn from modified Mexican maize wild because he was in timatelythe southwest familiar with he saidwhere the ernOaxaca, state of (Chapela occurred. had contamination a money to open borrowed used had rudimentary laboratory in the region in a professor the 1980s.) Rodolfo Dirzo, is science at Stanford, of environmental - Tan and Kenya in currently working studying of human the impact zania, and oth- giraffes, elephants, behavior on feedbackthe and effects fauna, big er project But Dirzo’s human health. on it bornat Stanford or in Kenya; wasn’t in as a researcher grew out of his years

The Other Immigrants 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Low pay hobbles Mexican research LowMexican hobbles pay research Most of the well-educated Mexicans I But Mexico’s investment also trails that investment But Mexico’s less developedof other countries such Argentina and as Brazil percent) (1.25 Enrique Peña President (0.61 percent). Mexican to increase has promised Nieto which of GDP, percent to one R & D if he will improvement be a significant but still needed. less than is can achieve it, Entry-level are professors institutions. their as as much paid less than a third Bureaucracy counterparts to the north. and politics pervade the universities. “When in experimental sci- work you always are “you Soberón, said ence,” the stupid to hand, the one on subject, bureaucracy [the Ministry of Hacienda the on and of Finance] and Customs, bureaucracy. to the university’s other, time to obtain to wait a long have You Besides, or primers. reactives DNA any always have always, always, always, you because in Mexico the institu- to fight, weak.” are tions interviewed for this article said that traffic, and other quality-of-life issues pollution, inducements to leave. additional were “I never liked the chaos of Mexico have at an economist Valdés, said Héctor City,” the Inter-American Bank Development can the also add you “and Washington, in crime Mexico’s rate insecurity.” of issue

here are many reasons why so so many reasons why here are elite knowledge Mexico’s of many The most obvious is home. leave

For highly educated Mexicans, the highly educated Mexicans, For that they are welcomed abroad with abroad welcomed that they are American and universities open arms. industries in supportmarket a free in which quali- the most brainpower, those willing to sometimes fied—and Those the job. pay—get for lower work cannotconditions always be found in works government U.S. The Mexico. and it is talent, foreign to attract hard by, do more to pressure under constant the supply increasing of for example, forvisas highly workers. skilled foreign the Senate approved Earlier this year, an immigration reform bill that would eliminate caps the number of green on citizens - foreign available to cards work ing in the United States hold a U.S. who in science and other graduate degree critical areas. - Mex of the United Stateslure is strong. support for education and research ico’s Mexico invested Last year, is meager. domestic of its gross only 0.39 percent and development, in research product Southwhile devoted per- 3.45 Korea cent and the United States percent. 2.85

Molina currentlyMolina Uni- at the teaches San Diego. versity of California, T

The Other Immigrants

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Some argue that highly skilled Mex- lems, however. In order to qualify, candi- to qualify, order In however. lems, Mexican a job at a find first must dates open positions many But institution. and per- properly not are advertised, indispensable—a are contacts sonal obstaclesignificant for people who for people trained And in abroad. work jobs of- appropriate very areas, specific Mylena Ana Águilar, ten do not exist. and population a specialist in health holds a Harvard who economics PhD, “There jobs no are recently told me, in Besides, . . . Mexico. in in my field no people who stay are Mexico there up-to-date in my area.” icans do not necessarily need to come their country. to benefit in order home they canthose who what join in Instead, study the migration of talent worldwide The idea “brain calledhave circulation.” can abroad gone have who people that is across in collaborative research engage particularly is if their work or, borders participate commercially oriented, more and joint in transnational investment they And can use the personal ventures. for the they developnetworks abroad country. of others in their home benefit for example, Rodolfo Dirzo, Stanford’s sharing Mexico, in a course teaches with his and contacts his knowledge Mexican students. exico has taken only a few a few only exico has taken steps to stop the brain drain. Council its National Through

The parallel CONACyT effort to The parallel CONACyT has soared, with kidnappings risingkidnappings with from has soared, 1,300 in than to more 600 in 2006 almost doubled of homicides the number 2011; The than 27,000. to more in that period, of crimeinsecurity and general threat to be scaringalso seems American away the main destination Once students. Americansfor young studying in Latin place to third dropped Mexico America, according year, in the 2010–11 academic International Educaof Institute the to - The number of American students tion. the from 42 percent in Mexico dropped 4,000. tumbling to just over before, year bring émigré Mexican researchers back bring Mexican émigré researchers to the country- prob has been beset by - (CONA Technology for Science and pursued two has government the CyT), the other of retention, one main policies, program A competitive of repatriation. in 1984 to bolster technologicalcreated within Mexico research and scientific with sub- Mexicanprovides researchers did not If the program stantial grants. a distinguished Durand, said Jorge exist, at the Uni- immigration specialist on brain“the drain versityGuadalajara, of be a stampede.” would M

The Other Immigrants

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Given the disparityGiven in opportunities home country after a few years abroad. countryhome after a fewabroad. years these from benefits many reaps Mexico workers. transnational United States Mexico and the between the educationin higher and research, of people in these exchange cross-border likely is mostly fields two to remain uni- ideas and But knowledge directional. easilycan more than people. much travel of research in the realm Brain circulation “synergy professionals between requires and home-countryabroad institutions,” and Portes argue sociologists Alejandro that generat- they add Adrienne Celaya; - effi ing such“an synergy of work is the But the Mex- state.” cient and proactive ican is not doing as muchgovernment relying chiefly a program on as it could, It Network. Talent called the Mexican 24 Mexican through consulates works thein them 11 of world, the around often relying consuls on United States, Mexicans successful or two to recruit one to establish cross-border in their region Javier Díaz de León, communications. that a former of the program director who is Network, Talent the oversees in North Car- consul Mexico’s now “hasbeen says program the that olina, very but in building networks successful has not been very successful in creating outcomes.” or specific products

exico’s exico’s M any jobs in jobs in any Something like brain circulation al- Something like brain circulation M sector pay very private is coming home well, so easy for highly relatively corporate workers. skilled ready prevails in the world of commerce. prevails in the world of commerce. ready Highly Mexicans qualified in business than researchers options more have Cardoso, As Alejandro and academics. CEO for Latin America of the global the told me, Publicis, advertising firm of insecurityatmosphere contributes to often but who those departures, some for in transnational companies work Mexico simply that promotions find headquarters or take them to the U.S. Others seek outposts of their employers. to build as a way the border jobs across careers. formultinational their resumés Mexican busi- émigré many Indeed, than a fewnesspeople spend no more where in fields They work abroad. years to what it is in turnover is high relative private and jobs in Mexico’s academia, home so coming verysector pay well, - uncom not is it And easy. relatively is - of multi formon Mexican employees back to be transferred nationals to their

The Other Immigrants -

in U.S. n is Joe and Teresa Long Teresa is Joe and

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY JESUS VELASCO Endowed Chair in Social Sciences at Tarleton Tarleton Chair in SocialEndowed Sciences at a He is Texas. Stephenville, State University, formerWilson visiting scholar at the Center and the author of Neoconservatives and Under Ronald Reagan Policy Foreign Throne (2010). Behind the Voices Bush: W. George will stay north of the border, increas northwill stay border, of the forStates. United the benefit ing the balanced by should be That outcome formal people to allow these programs conduct or teach to to Mexico return to periods for of time, defined research intellectual build Mexico’s helping to other Under this arrangement, capital. - Mexicans proba would U.S.-educated join would and many bly home, return class the transnational professional that increasingly the Unit- links Mexico and With approach, a creative ed States. a boon could become brain circulation to both countries.

------The Talent Network is at least based on based on is at least Network Talent The al Higher education and R & D are ready becoming more of a common en of a common more becoming ready terprise Mexico and the Unit between ed States as the North American Free globalization and Agreement Trade United Statesthe But dissolveborders. isthe of share disproportionate a reaping balanced cir a more create To benefits. government U.S. the talent, of culation to bring a program should finance Mexican more students to top Ameri When on theyembark canuniversities. students likely of these many careers, a sound premise: It will be difficult in the It will be difficult premise: a sound Mexican many to lure future foreseeable perma home and researchers academics nently in pay, differential as the as long conditions and living facilities, research must The idea instead so large. remains and abilities of be to tap the knowledge its and to build afar, this diaspora from and numbers. strength

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Any leader plotting an attack the plotting an on leader Any Lieber and Press ran to see the numbers Lieber and Press strong death wish would give nuclear give would wish death strong to terrorists. weapons StatesUnited worry would about first group terrorist accomplice whether an a database Using identified. could be attacks than 18,000 terrorist of more worldwide 1998 and 2008, between

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- International Security,

“Why States Won’t Give Nuclear Weapons to Terror Weapons Give Nuclear “Why States Won’t

HO’S AFRAID

That kind of nightmare scenar That kind of nightmare FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE POLICY FOREIGN Summer 2013. ists” by Keir A. Lieber and Daryl G. Press, in ists” by Keir A. Lieber and Daryl G. dictator in Iran, or maybe North dictator in Iran, military and your has just Korea, You nuclearbuilt its first weapon. to blast the finally the power hold domineering United Statesinto But to cloud. mushroom an ashy openly war would atomic wage vulnerable to leaving you be folly, Much swift retaliation. and severe smarter be to attack by would “slip” or two a weapon proxy—let into the hands of a terrorist group do the dirty it and have work for you. U.S. of concern perennial a is io policymakers and the American note political scientists public, and Lieber of Georgetown Keir A. A Dartmouth. of Press Daryl G. though, at the evidence, look hard that onlyshows a country with a IMAGINE YOU’RE A MALEVOLENT MALEVOLENT IMAGINE YOU’RE A TERRORISM? THE SOURCE: W OF NUCLEAR

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY state’s inventory. With 1.3 mil- inventory. state’s What a played if a malevolent leader Instead of fretting aloud about the possibility of nuclear terrorism, officials should be talking up their ability to zero in on any reckless perpetrator. people it couldn’t control. Only a terror control. it couldn’t people “had repeatedly that - demonstrat group ability and competence, reliability, its ed be considered could secrecy” to maintain would regime the then, Even for the job. the disturbing to accept possibil have ity the divulge would that the terrorists or evenorigin pick of the weapons a dif target. ferent claiming that terror card, “loose nukes” his country’s from ists stole the weapons stockpile?“would Such be a defense nearly as suicidal as launching a direct suspect since an already nuclear attack,” of the benefit not be given would regime do better to might A leader the doubt. claim stolen from that the terrorists had another kilogramslion of highly enriched ura- it nium in stockpiles the world, around might seem that sly thieves easily could purloin without enough to build a bomb - - - - Doomsayers might argue that a nuclear Doomsayers identified, terrorists were the Once fundamental problem a more There’s how often perpetrators were identified. oftenhow perpetrators identified. were per about 75 named in Offenders were all of cent attacks worldwide causedthat was The record than 100 fatalities. more analysis evenpercent—when better—97 on to attackswas limited that occurred the United Statesthe soil of al and its and incidents that killed 10 or more lies, included. people were since it would be different, blast would But of the evidence. wipe out so much use victim would “the also trueit’s that every at its disposal—money, resource rapidly and force—to identify threats, in- the And attack.” the of source the rushternational community would to includingadversar assistance, provide ies anxious to clear their names from and Pakistan as Iran the suspect list, did when they helped the United States gather intelligence after 9/11. be would regime the accomplice finding conclude. Lieber and Press play, child’s of malevolent countries The universe Of the six armed with nukes is very small. only terrorist groups, states that sponsor currently has nuclear capabili Pakistan and only plausibly Iran soon. could ties, plan—a regime with the sponsorship to immense power be handing would

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- - , which , Parameters THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Nonsense, says Colonel Ellen L. Ellen says Colonel L. Nonsense, Heroism has not been rare among among been rare has not Heroism Women serving in Iraq and serving in Iraq Women Afghanistan have won 1,800 combat action badges. Haring, writing in Haring, War Army the U.S. is published by insurgents launched an ambush. Braving launched an ambush. insurgents and rocket-propelled gun fire machine with her squad along Hester, grenades, successfully and cleared flanked leader, of the killing three trenches, enemy two in combat, actions her For attackers. the Silverawarded was Hester Star— since female soldier so honored the first II. War World servingwomen Afghanistan in and the blurring where of battle lines Iraq, situ has frequently put them in combat ac combat 1,800 won They have ations. decision and the Pentagon’s badges, tion in January to positions combat to open will the number only women increase But critics claim that gender of badges. integration will impair unit cohesion, that bonds “brotherhood” damaging the together. troops frontline women suggests “New research College. can capabilities the combat enhance of

- - - - - n “What to the Fight” by Ellen L. Haring, Bring Women in

Instead of fretting aloud about the of fretting Instead Even if the sponsor state were identi were state sponsor the if Even fied, some argue, a victim might hesi a argue, some fied, completely wasn’t it if retaliate to tate rightthe had it culprit. that positive hy with a pointed The authors respond If Hezbollah bombed Israel, pothetical: of contribut Iran and Israel suspected is it possible to imag ing the weapons, be too would leaders “Israel’s ine that humanity their deep by and restrained to lingering doubts about sponsorship Tehran?” harshlyretaliate against Lieber possibility of nuclear terrorism, should be officials conclude, and Press talking up their ability any to zero in on The daunting risks reckless perpetrator. nuclearof such deterred an attack have and than six decades, terrorism for more of those risksraising awareness is the to evil have fantasies. best antidote we other soldiers were trailing a militaryother soldiers were in 2005 when about 50 Iraqi convoy THE SOURCE: SERGEANT LEIGH ANN HESTER AND NINE THE AMAZONIAN EDGE making a dent in the global supply. In supply. in the global a dent making determining the origin of though, reality, would materials bomb used in any fissile out. alibi Another not be difficult. Parameters, Summer 2013.

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Women will not only serve as ably as Women 15 over just In the business world, ducting raids. In 2011, more than half of than half more In 2011, raids. ducting met the Point West femalethe cadets at male cadets the as on same requirements ArmyTest. Physical Fitness task men—they’ll units’ their improve that suggests research Recent cohesion. of a the female component the larger intellicollective its greater the crowd, “This- trait be due to a may [re gence. Haring sensitivity,’” ‘social callsearchers] “The and sense ability to perceive says. collab to more changes leads emotional and behavior, patternsorative group of higher than men to score tend women less also are Women in this category.” - likelyconversa dominate to men than tions—which further boosts a group’s These results intelligence. collective limited to the laboratory: Accord aren’t boasting companies study, ing to one female their members on at least three - better finan enjoyed of directors board cial performance than those with none. held are positions of leadership percent military and in the even it’s women, by Without in the pla women more less. jobs—usually and top Pentagon toons held combat those who have by filled be as military won’t U.S. positions—the “If Haring argues. smart as it could be, military optimizeto wants its U.S. the

- - - There are two types two are There of unit cohesion— serve already roles in combat Women Haring the common acknowledges the military joint to the the squad from impairingstaff without cohesion.” and along, or getting cohesion,” “social which working involves “task cohesion,” more that’s the latter it’s together—and The social cohesion crucial success. to is a double-edged that critics about fret and a unit can fall of it, too much sword: Alternative into patterns of groupthink. ev force and disagreement perspectives eryone to up their game. Canada, armed forces. in other nations’ partner in Afghani a U.S. for example, effect “negative no discovered has stan, operational performanceon or team since it integrated its military cohesion” make up women Famously, in the 1980s. of the Israel Defense Forces, 34 percent open to them. jobs are and most combat the female say soldiersTheir commanders when it comes superior skills” “exhibit and alertness. use, weapons to discipline, lack the physical argument that women necessarystrength for positions combat “it is about letting but points out that servethose women who can meet the in women Many physical standards.” - reg such as Hester, military police units, ularly perform the same tasks as infantry supply protecting lines and con troops,

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY After the 1940s, some analysts were analysts some were After the 1940s, Then the Cold War ended. Tensions Tensions ended. War Then the Cold the mid-17th century, and nationalism nationalism and century, the mid-17th Revolution. the French with flowered centuryensuing The tu- ceaseless saw and Germans, Italians, as Slavs, mult others struggled sovereign to create That brand of their own. states of that spark was the ethnic nationalism War World famously ignited the first which for the second, and set the stage became an ideological between conflict fascism and its capitalist and commu seen the last of national they’d sure nist antagonists. nist antagonists. Decolonization became a pre ism. powers European as the occupation by but it was overshadowed retreated, the ideological of the Cold conflicts not clashing Clashing principles, War. the new of global source were peoples, conflict. the politicalbetween Left and Right for stage so long stolen the that had suddenly dissolved, Pillar says, revealing Pillar says, suddenly dissolved, After World War II, clashing War After World clashing principles, not peoples, were the new source of global conflict.

- - The , to the ,

n The National Interest The National “The Age of Nationalism” by Paul R. Pillar, in R. Pillar, “The Age of Nationalism” by Paul

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That might sound rather passé. After That might sound rather passé. a label on the perioda label on of international the collapsepolitics that began with of been has It Sovietthe in 1991. Union calledeverything - mul to unipolar from because of and now, tipolar to nonpolar the rivalry the United States between Some that contend bipolar. and China, while terrorism, by the era is defined others speak of a clash of civilizations or incited by War World even a looming Pinning era the a label on radical Islam. it a name game; than in is more live we about inter think we how helps define a former CIA Pillar, Paul affairs. national with Georgetown affiliated now official Institu University and the Brookings Welcome, it out. figured thinks he’s tion, he writes in Age of Nationalism. Age the modern was born nation-state in all, National Interest, September/October 2013. STRATEGISTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO PIN STRATEGISTS THE SOURCE WE’RE ALL EXCEPTIONAL NOW teams’ collective intelligence and make and intelligence collective teams’ must we decisions, executive-level better that half of the population tap into the is underutilized.”

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- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n Nationalism is going strong in the in the strong is going Nationalism alist sentiments and stereotypes and sentiments alist it as struggles cri economic with an to deal pride and nationalist increasingly sis, “from culture, permeatesEuropean soccer tournaments to the Eurovision nationalists In Britain, Song Contest.” the EU a withdrawaldemanding from headway—and making impressive are Scots so are who agitate for secession Britain. from though Americans too, United States, Ameri name. a different it by know “muscular” grown can exceptionalism, manifests it- decades exercise, of from interventionsself in bold international and Afghanistan, such as those in Iraq such as and in the smallest gestures, But wearing American flag lapel pins. of implications” prescriptive “chief the all age involve living in a nationalist Our Pillar believes. “knowing oneself,” not often impulses are first our wis Americans to need to be attuned est. broadly impulses nationalist shared of other countries and carefully con - some on “step sider whether or not to sentiments.” nationalist else’s one Often that will mean that the United States it might. should do less than such as the Palestin In other cases, might call it for ian-Israeli conflict, doing more. ------And today, it’s everywhere you look. everywhere it’s look. you today, And Party the Communist In China, the powerful nationalist elements that that elements nationalist powerful the basic ingredi The brewing. been had for sovereigntyents—a yearning and country—were centu loyalty to one’s expres ries and were in the making desires fundamental human of sions For for and community. attachment in Africamer colonies and Asia had independent into recently congealed identities. national states with distinct With socialism and imperialism out finally could nationalism the way, of and unfettered “full its in culminate Pillar explains. form,” giving way has faded, rhetoric of yore better suited to themes to nationalist Vladimir the country’s capitalist turn. as China’s Putin in a similar key. yells sertiveness in the South China Sea and has raised the meanwhile, elsewhere, Vietnam in of nationalism temperature a In Japan, and other Asian countries. spiritnationalist that was virtually ex II has come War World tinguished by Minister roaring back under Prime Demands for self-govern Shinzo Abe. driven decadesment have of conflict Kurds, Palestinians, involving Israelis, Union, European the Even others. and a triumph of supranational institution- nation has been hobbled by building,

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE ------THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The single greatest indicatorfor greatest The single rape They joined in gang-rapes, Cohen Cohen They joined in gang-rapes, Other about wartime notions fought between 1980 and 2009, Cohen Cohen fought2009, and 1980 between reportsfound of wide 53 involved that - of con year rape in at least one spread no reported wars had But 15 of the flict. rapes at all. the perpetrators was how in civil war that ac Groups been recruited. had force—us through newquired fighters both or kidnapping, ing press-ganging saulted when they were abducted, found abducted, saulted when they were their at alongside themselves fighting no tackerstheypeople other and had probably and who trust, or like to reason felt about them. the same way their loyalty to prove as a way believes, That would and toughness to the group. explain the extraordinary brutality and wartime of so many rapes, public nature and the frequency with which the rapists Cohen’s loudly crimes. bragged about their view the common argument contradicts that wartime combat rape stems from or “biological to rape” or latent desire ants’ serves purposeful some military strategy. prevalent in eth rape—that it is more or in areas genocide, and nic conflicts inequality—were gender with greater surprisingly common—were much more surprisingly more much common—were of many The combatants, likely to rape. physically were whom or sexually as

- - - - Ameri . Gang-rape . , August 2013. “Explaining Rape During Civil War” by Dara Kay Cohen, by Dara Kay During Civil War” “Explaining Rape

After studying all 86 major civil wars Dara Kay Cohen, an assistant profes Dara Kay Cohen, can Political Science Reviewcan Political in war than in common more “much is far less likely “are and culprits peacetime,” previouslyto have sexual committed perpetrators.” lone offenses than are sor of public policy Kenne at Harvard’s encountered dy School of Government, sexual on literature in the puzzling facts While rape is com violence during war. it is virtually conflicts, in some monplace she writes in the absent in others, likely to rape. ping—were much more ping—were much more press-ganging or kidnap- press-ganging t acquired new Groups that acquired new force—using fighters through that rape is an inevitable evil of war, the the that rape inevitable is an evil of war, unfortunatemen taking of consequence to satisfy their lusts. of chaos advantage be to assumption that newA finds study largely false. CONVENTIONAL WISDOM HAS LONG HELD HELD LONG HAS WISDOM CONVENTIONAL BAND OF OTHERS THE SOURCE: American Political Science Review in American Political

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- - - - - , July 2013. THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n “Defining Victory in Victorian Warfare” by Bruce by Bruce Warfare” in Victorian “Defining Victory

When the war was over, the RUF RUF the Whenwas over, the war Collins, in The Journal of Military History and they a quarter joined in of all re ported gang-rapes, “restraining the vic- “restraining ported gang-rapes, tims and raping and them with bottles said they were Ex-combatants sticks.” to the decision to rape; rarely ordered carry the rank from assaults arose out the the recounting soldiers Former and file. both the public na gang-rapes revealed camaraderiethe and assaults the of ture feel would we “Afterward, they fostered. discuss it and talk about it a lot, good about it,” and laugh ourselves, amongst remembered. one tak had of whom combatants—many en up arms as strangers to each oth likely more than the CDF er—were to keep in touchveterans with their newfriends. THEATER OF VICTORY THE SOURCE: IN THE MID-1860S, EMPEROR TEWODROS OF in revolt. foundEthiopia his kingdom BritainHe petitioned for military Hoping to Britain him. ignored aid. attention, seize empire’s the larger imprisoned a handful of Tewodros British and mis consuls government response a bigger He got sionaries. than he bargained for.

- To further understand how forced further forced how understand To up a quarter made of the RUF, Women not borne out by the evidence. Rather, Rather, the evidence. not borne out by - enforce law collapsestate weak and to fighters to allow ment appeared conflicts in Thus, rape with impunity. both sides in which rape occurred, very In few conflicts oftenwere guilty. crime. the commit alone rebels did more armiesContraband-funded were likely to rape those relying than on resources. civilian-provided the incidence recruitmentincreases scrutinized Cohen of wartime rape, 1990–2002 civil war, Sierra Leone’s reviewing interviews with and sur veys as a as well of ex-combatants 2004 survey documenting war crimes The African country. West in the for most of responsible group rebel the Revolutionary United the rapes, - propor highest the had also Front, Seventy- fighters. of abducted tion combatants of the RUF seven percent in their unit when anyone know didn’t - Most of their adversar they arrived. Civilian Defensethe in ies Forces, been had militia, a pro-government But friends. or relatives recruited by the CDF on, dragged as the conflict began kidnapping fighters—and the number of rapes they as it did, increased. committed

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- - - The Jour , Bruce Collins, Bruce Collins, , THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Journalists embedded with military “A seasick elephant was a “A seasick elephant and in the formidable thing, Calcutta moorings they had to face a cyclone.” expeditions, dispatching their stories via expeditions, the pres intensified the new telegraphs, professor of modern historyprofessor at Shef a university in England, Hallam, field defined commanders how considers victories—and to them communicated their fellow Britons—ina series of wars not globe, the foughtaround theaters in China, India, only but Crimea, Ethiopia and Zululand, Egypt, Afghanistan, others. among clear-cut victories speedy, to deliver sure Far- that emphasized British daring. also felt flung commanders the heat as Britain began to prioritize self-defense British- command Finally, back home. to in small wars sweated ers fighting militaryto up measure achievements in servedVictorian to the mind, India that, of Anglo-Saxon supremacy over as proof inferior races. nal of Military History parlors of Britons. And popular support popular And parlors of Britons. In increasinglyessential. was

- - - (1962). Also deployed Also deployed (1962). The Blue Nile Thirteen thousand soldiers joined Thirteen joined soldiers thousand of was one expedition The expensive what became known as the expedition became what the expedition as known was then (as Ethiopia to Abyssinia and popu war correspondent known), wrote lar historian Moorehead Alan in 19,000 support staff and 55,000 were including 44 Indian elephants animals, The shipment trained to pull cannon. cohortof one got of the giant beasts “The animals start: off to an auspicious without mishap at board slung on were They stood back to back . . . Bombay. and a the sides, toward with their heads corridor to allow the at them between But things fro.” tendants to pass to and for so well the pachyderms did not go port another on from that embarked seasick elephant “A coast: Indian the and in the was a formidable thing, Calcutta moorings they to face had a cyclone.” reign, duringmany QueenVictoria’s in whicha year not 1837 to 1901, from see British troops passed that didn’t of the nature Yet in battle. engaged The campaigns warfare was changing. oftenpeoples subject among failed to the same At conclusive results. produce of journalists throng a growing time, tele the recently invented by connected wars almost in the Victoria’s graph put

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Journalists—some of whom were were of whom Journalists—some The press evidently in most The press preferred end of The peoples at the receiving sign of victory, must have, indeed, indeed, have, must of victory, sign all reality with the their of impressed Field Garnet Marshal defeat,” own decided. Wolseley military—ampli the handpicked by - in their reportage, propaganda the fied though opportunities existed to report inglorious at every aspects of war turn. witnessing Collins notes that an officer victorya groused Cairo through march length of the triumphal“the pro that cessions owed more to the narrowness the narrowness to more owed cessions to the grandeur than of of the streets im contrasted Another . . . occasion. the claimspressive to victorygrim with the reality of a British army encampment” diarrhea epidemic. was where cases with commanders’ along to go of a given The number assessments: the British be would people subdued by their compliance, be as would inflated, An and civilian suffering downplayed. John editor at The Times of London, peacocking. Wolseley’s decried Delane, and politi But such dissent was rare, in journal theologians shared and cians backslapping. ists’ often by were less than awed conquest Staged the British imperial displays. hardened failed to impress ceremonies - - - Franco-British forces would settle settle would forces Franco-British At times, exotic theaters of war flum theaters of exotic times, At for a looting of the emperor’s summer summer for a looting of the emperor’s military “choreographed and a palace a treaty once with the Chi display” have It would nese was finally secured. “The body of a large presence to do. with confidence marching of troops flycolors with capital, the through and every outward bands playing, ing, moxed commanders and politicians politicians and commanders moxed “Most of glory. hoping forbattlefield did not anchor opponents Britain’s battle,” strategiestheir defensive upon peoples or regimes “For Collins writes. and regrouping, which saw retreating, or for surviving as a legitimate strategy, of seasonal consisted ‘warfare’ whom timetabled ap- the impatient, raiding, of British seemed proach commanders Joining both alien and inappropriate.” in Peking on to march forces French the British found for instance, 1860, themselves chase in a wild-goose after enemy. a retreating The peoples at the receiving end of conquest were often less than awed by the British imperial displays.

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n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY of the attack—pains had been taken to been taken attack—painsof the had install corps sympathetic a press Ka in - - com winter approaching, bul—and with out of troops to get eager manders were A ruffled Duke of Cambridge the city. “I for part my commander, wrote to one should gladlyout of Cabul see us well shiftthis accomplish to of how yet and amongst policy losing prestige without not only populations of the Native India?” but throughout Afghanistan, - - Embarrassed by some press criticism press some Embarrassedby Afghan fighters in Kabul in 1879, dur- in KabulAfghan 1879, in fighters of Afghanistan. invasion second ing the disas ended in had (The invasion first only with of 16,000 retreating one ter, and supportBritish troops personnel the to give surviving.) instance, In one a British mili appearance a victory, of tary tribunal 76 Afghans summarily had outlyingof swaths ordered and hanged, villages burned.

IN ESSENCE FOREIGN POLICY & DEFENSE 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Will is in good company. Many of of Many Will company. is in good from many of his unaffiliated peers: peers: his unaffiliated of many from “play institutions religious He thinks a crucial our limited in sustaining role “should citizens and that government” be friendly cause to the of American not believers even if they are religion, themselves.” hardly could - be consid Founders the “George religious. conventionally ered famously not kneel would Washington rebuked and when his pastor to pray,” church from away he simply stayed him, - James Madi Sundays. Communion on brushed impulse son the religious off

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“Religion and the American Republic” by George F. F. American Republic” by George “Religion and the

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g S POLITICS & GOVERNMENT POLITICS onservative he , Summer 2013. Will, in National Affairs When an eloquent Anglican clergyman gave the first prayer at the First Continental Congress in 1774,When an eloquent Anglican clergyman gave the But the Founders were a religiously diverse lot, and one member wrote that “even Quakers shed tears.” than in private. some honored conventional religion more in public Gran

C That of it. proud and he’s “none,” is a himself firmly the he places among is, Americans of 20 percent who simply when polled about “none” respond But there’s affiliation. their religious Will thing setting at least one apart OF A “NONE” T Ourc FAITH THE

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T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Such ideas, so revolutionary in their Such ideas, “Wilson disparaged the doctrine of of July senti- ‘Fourth natural rights as He did so because this doctrine ments.’ gov- plans to make limited progressives’ servicethe in scientific ernment more ambitious.” of a politics that was more Casting aside natural rights and the Will writes, government, idea of limited “livWilsona as - Constitution the recast could so that government document ing” to sufficient “powers bend it to secure - for prog required were whatever projects Wilson wrote that government ress.” time, now sound antique to many. many. to antique sound now time, Will And can we that thank argues Wilson for that. Woodrow President ones, especially religious ones, that that especially ones, religious ones, Will supply forliberty,” conditions the recognized that The Founders explains. in nurturing plays role a large “religion the virtue that republican government presupposes.” There is no precedent There is no precedent on the scale for bloodshed 20th produced in the century by secular—by political—faiths.

The Founders’ attitude reflected the attitude reflected The Founders’ that is not in the But a government altogether, saying that “the mind prefers prefers “the mind saying that altogether, cause of a self-existing the idea at once seriescausean infinite of to that of and emphatically Founders the Yet effect.” called it backed religion—Washington of “indispensable supports” the of one with moral- along American politics, Jefferson Thomas days after Two ity. letter callingwrote his famous for a and church between “wallseparation” of of the church he attended one state, services regularly held in the House of Representatives. articulatunderstanding of government - ed in the Declaration of Independence. truthsthese hold self-evident, be to “We that they equal, created That all men are with Creator, their by endowed, are that among certain Rights; unalienable liberty of and the pursuit life, these are these rights, That to secure happiness. men.” instituted among are governments in other The purpose of government, rights pre-existing “secure” is to words, and not to create that allpossess, people dispense them. of hap- the nature business of defining or excellence cannot be virtue, piness, “Having to suchindifferent questions. other of business the is suchopinions institutions—private and voluntary

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A THe wilson quar C ENTLY ENTLY seems R y oes Biology Justify Ideology? The Politics of Ideology? The Politics of “Does Biology Justify

: e da y OLITI S On closer inspection, though, public though, On closer inspection, ver he Genetic Attribution” by Elizabeth Suhay and Toby Epstein Jayaratne, and Toby Suhay by Elizabeth Attribution” Genetic , Summer 2013. in Public Opinion Quarterly opinion about the impact of genes on so- on of genes impact about the opinion always sort itself out along ciety doesn’t in Public Writing neat ideological lines. ElizabethSuhay and Opinion Quarterly, Epstein Jayaratne report that self- Toby conservatives identified tend indeed do explain race and classto think that genes E in human play eries genes about the role influencing everything our from destiny, vulnerability taste for to disease to our What about and saltylemons snacks. politics? Conservatives influence on genes’ explana- to embrace genetic seem eager to the After all, of human behavior. tions that inequality and disadvantage extent “natural” inherent of products the are less there’s people, among differences to tryreason them and less to remedy Liberals, so. do if we success of prospect every have to reason the other hand, on “environment” rally idea that the around traitsand abilities that people’s is all, infinitelymalleable subjectthus and are INHE T Ourc to the ministrations of government. P

n People deprived of meaning look for deprived of meaning look People - solely respon Wilson wasn’t Of course, Modern tends to crowd government perity, and happiness.” Will quotes the and happiness.” perity, neoconservative thinker Irving Kristol: more dehumanizing, “Nothing is more expe- than to certain a crisis, to generate lifemeaningless event as a rience one’s in a meaningless world.” and, and distractions in pleasures solace in new kinds Will writes, all too often, “The excruciatingpolitical par- faith. of of modernityadox is that secularism- ad vanced in part against as moral revulsion But historybloody the strife. religious of for bloodshed on is no precedent there the scale in the 20th century produced political—faiths.” secular—by by out civil society by assuming its functions, out civil society assuming its functions, by - it underminesand to the extent that reli - pros vitality, society’s “threatens it gion, should be “an instrumentality for instrumentalityfor “an be should . . quickeningeveryin . way suitable de- and individual both collective Charismatic leaders velopment.” Whitein the to the House—alien chart thinking—would the Founders’ course. nation’s a but his ideas played Will allows, sible, - ad “modern, our in creating role large the from regulatory state, ministrative, supervision of which no corner of life is immune.”

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2013 n N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Unfortunately, it’s the perception of of the perception it’s Unfortunately, What surprised Suhay, who is a po- who What surprised Suhay, of answers. of answers. that matters most in differences group “the public and in that realm politics, picks a variety and chooses from of about influences available messages human characteristicson with an eye justifying po- their preexisting toward mean- scientists, Many litical stances.” to see the influences come have while, intimate- as environment and genes of ly intertwined and often impossible them It behooves separately. to weigh and their news media popularizers headlines that reductionist to avoid to ideologues. supply ammunition accountable” for behavior that arises for arises that behavior accountable” are and predispositions, innate from entitled to sympathy. instead litical College, at Lafayette scientist in scientist a research and Jayaratne, the School of PublicHealth at the Arbor, Ann University of Michigan, shifted was that when the questioning to individual differences group from the liberal-conservative split ones, influence Asked about the vanished. intelligence, individuals’ on of genes and drive, mathematical ability, liberals and propensity to violence, conservativesrange the same gave But the positions reversed when when reversed But the positions people were asked about the origins asked about the origins people were - liberal re Very of sexual orientation. higher on 20 percent were spondents scale explanation the genetic than they Indeed, very conservative ones. twice as likelywere as very conserva- that choice is to say respondents tive sexual orienta - one’s in not involved the predictable, are These results tion. explana- since genetic authors note, of personal the role “marginalize tions and support the idea responsibility” be blamed or held “cannot that people Asked about the influence Asked about the of genes on characteristics such as individuals’ and intelligence, liberals gave the conservatives answers. same range of differences. Analyzing data from a Analyzinga data from differences. Suhay and Jayaratne survey, 2001 foundpeople who called that them- 13 per- were “veryselves conservative” “genetic the authors’ on cent higher “very than liberal” scales” explanation respondents.

in essence POL ITIcs & GOVERNMENT 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar , Matthew S. Matthew S. , Politics Comparative Conventional wisdom suggests that in suggests wisdom Conventional cultural have explanations But broad, “Either lack information voters about Brazil is a democracy, however, which however, Brazil a democracy, is - unknow corrupt therefore behavior and they ingly support a corrupt politician,” explain, “or they knowingly support a “or explain, corrupt politician because of his perfor- mance in other areas.” the tradeoff hypothesis is at least, Brazil, surveys and in recent a significant correct, be will - number of Brazilians said they’d indi- dealings by shady some ing to accept as they vidual politicians as long did their mas “Rouba, As a localsaying goes, job. things done.”) but he gets (“He robs, faz.” - re “In poll, a public opinion their limits: socially provide may spondents conform- rather than their genuine ing answers raises a question: If corruption If is such raises question: a citizens simply don’t why a problem, In office? of out politicians rotten vote evidence some that corrup - there’s fact, democratic after worse in Brazil got tion Writing 1985. rulein civilian resumed in WintersWeitz-Shapiro— Rebeccaand political at the Uni- science professors versity of Illinois University, and Brown different two respectively—compare in Brazil citizens, for explanations why for crooked vote world, the and around politicians.

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O S Most of the anger seemed to stem seemed to stem Most of the anger Ju he n I buses and for São increase Paulo’s a fare dem- nationwide subways ballooned into a million over that brought onstrations weeks, For Brazilians into the streets. than 100 cities, in more raged protests Dilma Rousseffand President ap- ’s rating30 percent. to plummeted proval The Brazilian struggled government to Street Wall like Occupy much respond; earlier years two in the United States, the loosely organized voiced movement no clearly demands. defined perva frustration- with Brazil’s from Last year, politicalsive corruption. - Transpar the country 69th on placed annual Corrup- ency International’s Index—a bit better Perceptions tion but far worse than Liberia and China, than other Latin American countries while And such and Cuba. as Uruguay is it needs, pressing Brazilmany has than $13 billion to host spending more in creating, Cup, World upcoming the vast new opportunities for the process, bribes and graft. C T Ourc VOTING FO Do Voters Support Corrupt Politicians?” by Matthew S. Winters and by Matthew S. Winters and Support Corrupt Politicians?” Do Voters , July 2013. in Comparative Politics Rebecca Weitz-Shapiro,

in essence POL ITIcs & GOVERNMENT

2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar Even though Brazilian journalists Brazilian though journalists Even So why, if Brazilians are inclined if Brazilians are to So why, have broken a number of high-profile high-profile a number of broken have of and 78 percent corruption stories, the expressed study the in respondents for politi- belief that it was common - most of the re bribes, cians to accept think the evidentlyspondents didn’t particularrepresented who politicians them did so—nearly three-quarters of that corruption is rifethose who agreed nevertheless said they never voted had This finding politician. forshady a one, by 65 to 54 percent. 65 to 54 percent. by one, bribe-takingvote out of of- politicians corrupt do so many politicians fice, survive? A cynic- that the vot might say no choice—everyers have is politician corrupt—but lackof information is clearly part of the answer. income brackets Gabriel(a) that income to say - incom yet law-abiding the prefer would the dirty over petent mayor but effective Nearly three-quarters of Nearly three-quarters that cor- those who agreed nevertheless ruption is rife said they had never voted for a shady politician. espondents, while a mere 28 percent 28 percent while a mere espondents, The study’s findings also undermine findings The study’s To short-circuit this tendency, the au- short-circuit this tendency, To another commonly held assumption, another commonly held assumption, willing to more much that the poor are Quite tolerate corruption than the rich. in the lowest Respondents the contrary. likely more brackets—whoincome were to report that they been asked for had a bribe in their daily those than lives in the middle and upper classes—were likely higher the in those more than also said they would vote for a corrupt vote said they would but candidate. competent - describedwas none was incompetent as 62 percent by theless deemed acceptable of r opinions,” Winters and Weitz-Shapiro opinions,” for instance, Upper-class Brazilians, say. likely more em- than others to who are normsbrace international cor- about provide might ruption and governance, hear, theyto want others think answers opinions. of their honest instead surveytheir thors told participants about who is a person “Gabriel (or Gabriela), Then the participants were like you.” asked whether they thought Gabriel(a) for various vote would hypothetical candidates who variedmayoral their in and their willingnessto accomplishment indicated Their responses bribes. accept adamantly that the Gabriel(a)s were A clean candidate who anti-corruption.

in essence POL ITIcs & GOVERNMENT 2013 N M U T AU erly erly t THe wilson quar n Yet the fact that the upper and middle that the the fact Yet don’t I but “Herobs, não sei: Rouba, preference[s].” A new crop of initiatives of initiatives new A crop preference[s].” in Brazil specific disseminate aims to informationabout corrupt politicians up to elections, leading in the weeks prompted have protests and the recent bill a that to propose Rousseff President elevatewould political corruption from a minor offense to a major felony. about corruptioncare as classesdon’t class as the lower much could indicate After all, obstacles to substantial change. the and members of leaders opinion “as the viewpoints of the media represent citizens to not gain access may wealthy, the information that they need in order is not corrupt.” who is and to know know.” The contrast between how Gabriel(a) how between The contrast argue, the researchers “These results,” reminds Winters and Weitz-Shapiro of Wintersreminds Weitz-Shapiro and “The average voters: a truism U.S. about her loves but American hates Congress congressperson.” Brazilians do may real and how voted “type of informa to the - down come typically Brazilian tion voters encounter come Most voters about corruption.” stories about corruptionacross de- that scribe but don’t the scale of the problem coming and, individuals, specific finger an partisan before well sources from the news is unlikely to change election, mind. a voter’s cheer of corruption, opponents “should repair to easier presumablyis since it than to change an information deficit

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- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY A few years ago, economists Pascaline Pascaline economists A few ago, years Dupas Stanford of University and University of the Robinson of Jonathan to rural headed Santa Cruz, California, out see if they to could figure Kenya armed They were change that. to how ac with the modern theory“mental of in particular of the concept counting,” “labeling”: the psychologi the idea that cal of designating certain act savings for purpose specific a can resist people help off other and ward to splurge the urge But they often claims their money. on work. need help to make it “Why Don’t the Poor Save More? Evidence From Evidence More? Save Poor the Don’t “Why

ECONOMICS, LABOR & BUSINESS LABOR ECONOMICS, ESOURCE: Health Savings Experiments” by Pascaline Dupas and Jonathan and Pascaline Dupas by Experiments” Health Savings Review, June 2013. Robinson, in The American Economic Kenya, but the $5 cost is more than many Africans can easily afford. Kenya, but the $5 cost is more than many Africans Despite great progress, malaria still kills almost 1,500 children every day in sub-Saharan Africa. 1,500 children every day in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite great progress, malaria still kills almost like the one protecting Siama Marjan inMany deaths could be prevented by mosquito nets Nairobi, NEWSCOM the poorest of the poor, as are many other many as are poor, of the the poorest So of a puzzle that something it’s goods. up for such people fail to save things. many cash goes a long way. Chlorine tablets, Chlorine tablets, cash way. a long goes thatproducts and other mosquito nets, for all but within reach well are lives save IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD, A LITTLE SPARE A LITTLE SPARE IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD, TH KEY TO PROSPERITY

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- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The safe box and community pot and community pot The safe box The sums involved were not large. not large. were involved The sums After a year, the average safe box owner safe box the average After a year, than $4 a little more amassed had purchases also made had (though many with their savings during the year). be effective schemes probably were cause follow they helped volunteers nate explanation: social pressure. The The pressure. social nate explanation: who joined community pots Kenyans expected to make contributions at were public meetings with their neighbors four-fifths Just over of those watching. said it enabled them who used a box to of friends or fam the entreaties resist ily asked for members who money—and it also said than 40 percent more their pleas from helped them refuse through with labeling, Pascal and Dupas Pascal with labeling, through be an alter may though there theorize, likely than the control group to hit their to hit their group likely the control than and personal the lockboxes But targets. help the Kenyans didn’t savings accounts at all. their goals reach The savings plans held some participants to pow- erful social expectations, and gave others an excuse to defy them.

- - - - The outcomes were mixed, but alto mixed, were The outcomes Some volunteers received a padlockedSome received volunteers Dupas asked hundreds Robinson and gether promising, the authors report in promising, gether In the The AmericanEconomic Review . that re households year, course of one more 14 percent were safe boxes ceived than likely their savings goals to reach (whose members also group a control sav not assigned but were set goals in the Households enrolled ings plans). more 13 percent community pots were of Kenyan volunteers to set savings set savings to volunteers of Kenyan amount to have a specific goals—either or hand for emergencies health on cashenough particulara buy to - preven suchas a water filter health good tive Theyassigned the net. mosquito or fourof different to one volunteers health-oriented schemes. savings savings “pots” in which cash was pooled “pots” savings or other gizmo forto pay a water filter for member at each meeting. a different ings accounts to be used only to be ings accounts for health The fourth made group emergencies. contributions to community regular safe box with a key and were allowed to allowed with a key were safe and box deposit and freely withdraw money for a lockbox Others received purpose. any the without a key and could ask to have opened only afterbox its balance met Members of a third their savings goal. cohort put money into individual sav

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- Your Your Journal of Economic n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY “How Deep Are the Roots of Economic Development?”

While such differ diagnoses may in Dupas and Robinson don’t claim to Dupas don’t Robinson and country is poor because the government enough money in in- invested hasn’t corruption frastructure and education, and the social safety net is rampant, is weak. an underlying they share substance, that poor countries lag behind premise: a year, around $6.50 on average. average. $6.50 on around a year, - solved prob savings pandemic the have one schemes in that excel After all, lem. suc- But their falter elsewhere. may place was not short-lived—twocess in Kenya nearly after years concluded, the study stillhalf of the participants making were and community pots, use of the boxes, and a handful health savings accounts, their even inspired had of volunteers neighbors to try out. them YOUR COUNTRY IS POOR, THE NEOLIBERAL IS POOR, THE NEOLIBERAL YOUR COUNTRY tell people of developing the economists because printing it’s too much nations, too heavily are regu its markets money, Nonsense, too high. are and its taxes lated, reply their left-wing counterparts. THE 10,000-YEAR- THE OLD ECONOMY THE SOURCE: by Enrico Spolaore and Romain Wacziarg, in by Enrico Spolaore and Romain Wacziarg, Literature, June 2013.

- - The schemes caused surprising some techniquesthe of flopped All one but participants about to put away managed the course of over as the others as much spouses. The savings plans held some held some plans savings The spouses. participants expec social to powerful to an excuse others and gave tations, defy them. the Although variations behavior. in ev similar in - and lockbox were safe box ery to deposits), (other than access way to slower much the lockbox users were bal the average In fact, start depositing. ance in a lockbox after was six months which is safeabout half that in a box, likely so few met why lockbox owners they were Perhaps their savings goals. cash much hesitant to stash too where the to it, access ready get they couldn’t authors reason. those who people, “present-biased” for consistently choose instant gratification Like enthusias- long-term gains. over Americanstic gymbuy who member- these folks (16 ships but rarely exercise, trouble had of the total group) percent with their savings following through Only commitment with a public plans. to making deposits in community pots times monthly—and the or three two that came with social pressure strong at their savings theyit—did increase the present-biased In these settings, all.

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- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY omists Olaomists Olssonand Douglas Geography, however, doesn’t always doesn’t however, Geography, geographical too, In the Americas, econ Spanish colonists were able to grow, in able to grow, Spanish were colonists and tobacco, sugar cane, cluding coffee, with economies plantation fostered elites. wealthy slavery entrenched, and account for 64 percent of the variance of the variance for account 64 percent current nations’ different between Hibbs support Diamond’s argument. In argument. supportHibbs Diamond’s and Asia, “OldWorld”—Europe, the Africa—variables to the prehis related country of a toric environment (such size of the continent, as the climate, animals) of plants and and number per capita incomes. its ef role—sometimes a direct play Rugged, roundabout. more fects are for great mountainous terrain isn’t but trade, or conducting crops growing 2007 found such that study from one in Africaregions reached nonetheless Why? higher levels of development. that same treach Because historically, landscape certainerous protected areas traders. slave from always an obvious play variables didn’t Latin a warm America enjoyed role. and the climate as fertile as well soil, from wealth Spanish far more reaped the than colonies World New their their did from English and the French But the crops north. to the colonies

- - - - Guns, Germs, Germs, Guns, The findings of a 2005 study by by study 2005 a of findings The Jared Diamond introduced modern modern introduced Diamond Jared That assumption, say Enrico say Spo assumption, That laore and Romain Wacziarg, ignores ignores Wacziarg, and Romain laore policymakers by faced “the limits in significantly altering of na the wealth history when tions castsvery a long in the Journal of Eco Writing shadow.” economists— the two , nomic Literature University and UCLA, Tufts from terminants in for wealth asserted He that (1997). and Steel such advantages, geographic Eurasia’s as its diversity of animals and plants, a inhabitants get helped its Neolithic which led to starthead agriculture, on and tech- eventual economic Europe’s nological success. ground for autocracy. A warm climate and fertile soil make a good breeding audiences to the idea of historical de “to better understand the deep causes “to better understand in geography rooted of development, and history.” respectively—survey a raft of new aca- aim demic studies in which researchers the advanced, industrialized economies the advanced, of policies. a failure due to West of the

IN ESSENCE ECONOMICS, LABOR & BUSINESS ------n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Globalization has made the spread spread the Globalizationmade has Are nations therefore caught in the caught in the therefore nations Are any you’ll find—became an industrial, you’llany find—became an industrial, capitalist society Eur many before asian countries. of contemporary technology ideas and the tearing of some down even easier, “Histori old obstacles to development. cal variables do not explain all the varia and Spolaore per capita,” in income tion “Barriersmat- do us. remind Wacziarg “barriers can they add, But, they say. ter,” also be overcome.” ference in wealth between various between in wealth na- ference for instance—a country as Japan, tions. and geneti culturally, geographically, as Europe Western cally distinct from pass from one to the other. Industrialists the other. to one pass from were for example, United States, in the quicker Russian than their counterparts the assembly to build upon line process Sharing a com in England. invented - ances recent and more language mon tors probably helped. inexorable momen grip of an ancient, the liveli powerless to improve tum, hoods of their citizens? Of course ancestry European and an early not. for account transition to agriculture of the dif 60 percent than no more

- - Other studies have shown that people Other shown studies have careful are Wacziarg Spolaore and Meanwhile, in what would become the become what would in Meanwhile, small-scale StatesUnited and Canada, and livestock a more encouraged crops which equal distribution of income, political countries’ the two benefited later on. development loca or institutions than matter more poorly Many lands have endowed tions. since fortune” of “reversal experienced a capita per income more producing 1500, suggested. have than their past would the from benefited Those economies colonizers and their human European capital—a familiarity with centralized agriculture efficient state institutions, and new technologies techniques, the build upon generation that let one of the last. advances a role play to note that while genetics so do cultural evolution, in a society’s inextricably are and the two forces, “better” entwined—no is set of genes earlier One of the duo’s other. than any papers focused the human transmis on technologies and of advantageous sion “relative They found that as the ideas. countries two between distance” genetic for innovations to longer it took grew,

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- THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY New York Times editorial in board New York jected to much inconvenience through through inconvenience jected to much but his language his ignorance of any decided thatCongress In 1897, own.” 1891, “in of almost any which a foreigner 1891, nationality can without being sub live communities in various partscommunities United of the and Yiddish, Italian, German, States, almostin began to be heard words Polish of the Many every corner of the country. see the use of learning didn’t newcomers “Theredistricts city, this in are English. commented cities,” other great and in the the

Dædalus, “Immigration and Language Diversity in the United Language Diversity in the United “Immigration and

SOCIETY NEWBERRY RESEARCH LIBRARY NEWBERRY spoken in one Chicago neighborhood, but it An 1895 map reveals the profusion of foreign languages long before English prevailed. wasn’t

FOR THE EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS WHO IMMIGRANTS WHO FOR THE EUROPEAN flooded into Ellis Island in the late 19th of the old country the language century, As caseswas in many their only one. theystarted newformed and lives new TONGUE THE SOURCE: ADIOS, MOTHER Summer 2013. States” by Rubén G. Rumbaut and Douglas S. Massey, in G. Rumbaut and Douglas S. Massey, States” by Rubén

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY a third of second- Rumbaut and Massey say that Rumbaut and Massey that say That forecast might seem absurd. That forecast might seem absurd. predict, “but the in a vestige to fade then predict, After all, the number of Americans who After all, climbedat home speak English didn’t of (11 percent 23 million in 1980 from to 60 million in 2010 the population) While in many percent). than 20 (more the English, some spoke also group this people to their of so many adherence is nevertheless tongues native impres The number of Spanish speakers sive. in the United States 11 has risen from in the last 30 years; million to 37 million has ever language non-English other no been as prevalent as Spanish is now. Today’s point: vital a hide facts these mostly are speakers non-English Fully immigrants. first-generation half of the Spanish-speaking people as born abroad, counted in 2010 were Only generation Americans could speak a non-English language as adults, even if they spoke one well as children. third generation and expire by the fourth,” fourth,” the by expire and generation third those of earlier like much immigrants. - - - - . On the surface, linguistic di- On the surface, Dædalus. And it’s happening again today, claim happening again today, it’s And Then came World War I. Immigra I. War World Then came versity appears to be thriving, especially versity appears to be thriving, lows anomalous to the historic, compared Spanish and it saw a few decades ago. are (to a lesser extent) Asian languages particularly ubiquitous—but they won’t “The of to mother tongues be for long. tion screeched to a halt, and non-English a halt, to screeched tion less com much suddenlylanguages were Descendants of the first- monly heard. quick to immigrants were generation less By 1970, the mother tongue. abandon of Americans been percent had than five sharp (a nearlyborn abroad fallfrom 15 of speakers native and in 1910), percent scarce that the so were languages foreign stopped asking which had Census Bureau It was the at home. people spoke language a cacoph of Babel story in reverse, Tower English. to just of dialects reduced ony Rumbaut of the sociologists Rubén G. and Irvine, University of California, writing Massey of Princeton, Douglas S. in immigrants will persist somewhatday’s the scholars generation,” into the second arriving immigrants could take the arriving immigrants the could take literacy language requisite test in any in one than more By 1910, they liked. 10 Americans claimed tongue a native All signs pointed to English. other than polyglota burgeoning nation.

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- - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Immigrants from Latin AmericaImmigrants from have As foreign communities assimilate assimilate communities As foreign - acquiring English profi Of course, Without some intervention, bilingual Without intervention, some ism doesn’t stand of chance a surviving, stand of chance a surviving, ism doesn’t languages Foreign worrisome. and that’s Americanto threat the not identity are been the drivingbeen the wide behind force so use of Spanish the United States, in preservinglan prevalence of the the guage would require a renewed stream stream a renewed require would guage Spanishof country. the into speakers for Demand seems unlikely. But that con and a study is nil, migrant workers Research the Pew by ducted last year that net Hispanic Center suggested border the U.S.-Mexico migration over or maybe even to zero, dropped had switched directions. their language into American culture, to According loss will only accelerate. finished those who have Census data, likely more 20 to 40 percent college are English speakers than those to be strong who haven’t. and more take generations ciency doesn’t an immigrant isThe younger education. likely the more when arriving in America, among Even fluent. she is to become when old years 34 to 13 are who those third a Census data shows, they arrive, percent and 44 quickly proficient, become within a few English speak good decades.

- - - - The decay of native-language abilityThe decay of native-language To get a better sense of what’s to come, to come, what’s a better sense of get To accelerated after that point. In the third In the third accelerated after that point. whose grandparents (those generation only 12 percent born), foreign were well. language could speak the native those in the fourthAmong generation, English could—and only percent two for at home 99 percent. was preferred it well at the time of the survey.” Nearly of the survey.” at the time it well generationthree-quarters of the second speaking English at home. preferred have us believe. identity that some would identity that some would not the threat to national not the threat to national n languages are Foreign languages are ties in San Diego and Los Angeles. They ties in San and Los Diego Angeles. “Al found that history itself: is repeating genera of the [second] though 84 percent while language non-English a spoke tion said they only spoke 36 percent up, growing largelycommuni non–English-speaking were more thanthose of three-quarters Viet Tagalog, Hindi, Chinese, who spoke single generation A and Korean. namese, is hardly time for enough language use of a to dwindle. data from aggregated the sociologists

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY . one mpg increase one mpg increase . The fact that that fact The Applied Economics. “Larger and heavier vehicle classes are “Each one mpg increase in CAFE stan in CAFE “Each mpg increase one the safest to be inside during an acci dards causes an additional 149 fatalities 149 causes additional an dards in increase the words, In other per year.” that began fuel-efficiency requirements in 1978 will translate more 2,533 into put this To 2016. in the road deaths on these terms, economic hard, toll in cold, societycost fatalities traffic 33 cents— medical expenses, in lost productivity, every more—for and gasoline gallon of of car costs The environmental saved. the health effects and of emissions bon to 38 come meanwhile, air pollution, cents per gallon used. risk greater dent but also impose much explains Jacobsen others in the fleet,” on in mandate tougher regulations CAFE for cars passenger standards mileage than for light trucks has changed the as passenger mix of vehicles the road on smaller carslighter, and become have Each in CAFE standards causes an additional 149 fatalities per year

- - - - n “Fuel Economy and Safety: The Influences of Vehicle Vehicle of “Fuel Economy and Safety: The Influences

RCE:

But there is a downside to smaller, to smaller, is a downside But there Applied Mark R. Jacobsen, in Applied Class and Driver Behavior” by Economics, July 2013. states, the U.S. government enacted Cor enacted government the U.S. states, AFTER THE 1973–74 OIL EMBARGO BY ARAB ARAB BY EMBARGO OIL 1973–74 THE AFTER (CAFE) Economy Fuel porate Average with gasoline along which, standards, curbto designed Americans’ were taxes, the stan- Since then, gas consumption. changed—1979 model cars have dards a fleet average to reach required were while of at least 17.2 miles per gallon, to achieve2016 models will over have No 35 mpg—and so has the rationale. chieflylonger worried about fuel short for push regulators and oil imports, ages eco-friendly pol cars to reduce in order global warming. and fight lution a higher risk fleets of cars: efficient more to According of deadly accidents. traffic at the an economist Jacobsen, R. Mark San Diego, University of California, DANGEROUS RIDES THE SOU that some would have us believe, the the us believe, have would some that is a precious Bilingualism argue. authors in our increasingly globalizedadvantage should begin safe we Perhaps economy. it treating linguistic diversity, guarding if beneficial, as the miraculous—and it is. endangered—creature

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- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n Boosting the fuel economy of cars and Boosting the fuel economy sions or preventing fatal accidents—Ja or preventing sions cobsen offers a few ways out. One alter One offerscobsen a few ways out. a single fuel economy is to create native which for all vehicles, passenger standard of trucks the number reduce would and “in result That would the road. SUVs on onlyof per fatalities eight increase an mpg in of one for each increment year” set to is approach Another standard. the the size on based goals of the mileage the lower the vehicle, the larger vehicle: would result The the efficiency target. potentially further be no in increase continued standards fatalities as CAFE to rise. our- putting mean to have trucksdoesn’t trying to protect If we’re selves at risk: want to be there we after all, our future, it. to enjoy - - It’s not just the vehicles not just the It’s that make a start what’s you wondering Before while SUVs and pickup SUVs and while trucks remain cars to the disproportionately dangerous Expedi Ford The largest them. around than 6,000 pounds— more weighs tion Prius—and Toyota a as twicemuch as increasingly such pitted have accidents disparately sized against automobiles each other. “The drivers most dangerous difference. (pickup truck nearly are owners) four times as likely in fatal to be involved as the safest driversaccidents (minivan even after ac reports, Jacobsen owners),” forcounting the safety their of features behind the wheel a person And vehicles. risk than greater a poses sedan large a of the driver of a smaller car. important—reducing emis- auto more

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- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Placed in a sanctuary for elephants These and other stories collected from ephants lie prostrate, silently crying. lie prostrate, ephants el two zoos circuses, from and retired same in the worked once who’d ephants Put been 22 years. It’s reunited. are circus othereach they explore stalls, adjacent in with their trunks and then try to climb in loudly. Theyroar to begin both together. they become in the same pen, Allowed forward. that day inseparable from among lived or worked who’ve people in a long and recounted elephants, his eyes. Around him other captive him other el Around his eyes.

“Do Elephants Have Souls?” by Caitrin Nicol, in in Souls?” by Caitrin Nicol, “Do Elephants Have

Upon being captured, a bull elephant being captured, Upon RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY RELIGION NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC STOCK NATIONAL Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. An elephant pair clasps trunks at the Elephant Nature audibly weeps, tears streaming from from tears streaming audibly weeps, the leg of a passing camel driver, then camelthe leg of a passing driver, and stands guard scoots him under a tree by discovered the man is until fora day party. a search THE SOURCE: BREAKS ACCIDENTALLY ELEPHANT WILD A ELEPHANT THE WITHIN , Winter/Spring 2013. The New Atlantis

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- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Elephants have also been observedbeen also have Elephants to pass a been proven have Elephants in the form of reusable objects, they objects, formthe in reusable of sticksdo use to scratch themselves and They twists of grassto clean ears. their with the water cover and dig ponds, el work Asian and grass to hide it. bark been found plugging their have ephants the better to sneak collar bells mud, with bananas. out at night and steal an activity that requires making images, transferring form. an idea into a concrete occupied themselvesZoo have elephants art given and, with doodling in the sand, One used them to draw. have supplies, cloth matched paint colors to visitors’ Whatever meanings the drawings ing. guess—they are anyone’s are have may either random scribbles or abstract art, sensibility. aesthetic your depending on in front “image test”: different Positioned they—like very few- other crea of mirrors, apes, great and including dolphins, tures, Positioned in front of mirrors, elephants—like dolphins, great apes, and the average 18-month-old human baby—can recog- nize themselves. - - - - The New AtThe New - , and concern in no place have sorrow, , Nicol considers these questions these questions considers Nicol Nicol starts her investigation with the startsNicol her investigation While tools do not fashion elephants , raise a two-part question: Do raise a two-part question: , lantis In other consciousness? have elephants they are do they feel intensely, words, theyif they do And think? self-aware, we change how should that how do, them? treat popu of giant digest her throughout Image, “Tool, In his 1985 essay basics. of biology philosopher Hans and Grave,” regarded the activities considered Jonas Ni As it turns out, as unique to humans. an impoverished of chemical language Another level.” micro at the transactions enough hard for the taboo? It’s reason thoughts and to interpret other humans’ an animal’s. alone motives—let essay by Caitrin Nicol in Caitrin Nicol by essay deciding, lar writing about elephants, that a central obstacle to the way, along against is our taboo an answer finding the ta One reason anthropomorphism. “in modern is that she writes, boo exists, of the whole concept science, Western look if you life is so mechanical that, supposed to not even people are closely, terms such as . . be anthropomorphized . love “indicators of these all three col notices, of important and spiritual mental quali elephants. also associated with are ties”

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- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY “Ironically, it has been the elephant’s the elephant’s it has been “Ironically, hunting might Abolishing trophy tant footfalls this manner. in misfortune it wonder find people that prizeHunters them writes. Nicol ful,” Their ivory for is coveted its as game. They captivate audiences in beauty. are But if elephants and zoos. circuses enough to be intelligent and sociable capable psychological distress, of great Just how special protection. they require is a however, sort, and of what much thorny question. lo but seem a no-brainer to urbanites, cals scratching the same out a living on regard sometimes as elephants ground welfare Animal them as intrusive pests. needs to take people’s willadvocates have On the other hand, too. into account, conservationists line take a harder must which is responsible with the ivory trade, for a the poaching of 25,000 elephants (Africa to 26 mil was home alone year. that centuries two elephants ago; lion 98 percent.) has dropped population that travel through the air. In the 1990s, 1990s, In the the air. through that travel O’Connell- Caitlin biologist, an insect tap elephants that discovered Rodwell, through rumblesinto these seismically, laying their trunks feet or by their front they can detect dis also ground; the on Africanel- countries healthy maintaining argue that they shouldpopulations ephant

- -

An elephant is born with a brain elephant An Finally, and perhapsmost haunt Finally, one-third its adult size, compared to to compared size, its adult one-third for one-half one-quarter for humans, for most other and 90 percent chimps, growth of span “greater The mammals. a more accompanies . . . the womb outside important that nurture and learned role maturation,” skills in the animal’s play The literally civilized ani- notes. Nicol ingly, elephants are the only animals only the animals are elephants ingly, their dead. to commemorate known bury They sometimes fallena friend, even when coming and they vigil, stand or of the of strangers, skeletons across ivory—into They react departed. long wrist the on bracelet worn to a case, one of a safari-going tourist. munication systems to impart learning. systemsmunication to impart learning. One system uses low-pitched rumbles mals have developed sophisticatedhave mals com 98 percent. population has dropped population has dropped two centuries ago; that ago; that two centuries alone was home Africa alone was home elephants to 26 million 18-month-old human babies—can babies—can human 18-month-old recognize themselves.

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- The n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The elephant is due these kindnesses, is due these kindnesses, The elephant tible to distress . . . severe elephant foot elephant severe . . . tible to distress in depressingly common are problems where zoos and other captive situations, concrete.” on stand must animals the that deciding Some American zoos, cannotthe elephant ethically be kept sent their star attractions have captive, to sanctuaries. life its inner concedes, Nicol even if, She quotes the to us. opaque remains in who, naturalist Henry Beston, “We wrote, Outermost (1928), House wiser and perhapsneed another and a a In . . . mysticalmore of animals. concept than a world complete older and more and complete, ours they finished move gifted senses we of the with extensions by living never lost or attained, have not They are shall never we hear. voices they not underlings; they are brethren, caught with ourselves other nations, are in the net of life and time.” elephants’ feet, made to absorb made seismic feet, elephants’ suscep “especially them makes waves,

- - - Elephants eat a lot—50 pounds of of eat a lot—50 pounds Elephants What of keeping these enormous be allowed to sell their ivory, but poach to sell ivory, their be allowed can elsewhere easily work ers who laun these countries. through der their wares those day—and per animal per roughage routinely culled to are to parks confined solutionThis overpopulation. prevent el First, for a fewis troubling reasons. - accord self-regulate populations ephant (“birthsing to the environment down go following drought”), a major in the years social because of the animals’ and second, has contributed decimating herds nature, and society” of elephant “collapse to the of elephant the transmission “disrupted to the next.” generation one from culture animals captive for our entertainment? cannotThe best facilities support the adapted are elephants environment herd without a animals live and some to, Living in companion. single pachyderm even when bored, the animals are pens, not in physicalthey discomfort— are The structure of and they often are.

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- THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY approvals since the mid-1990s. But the mid-1990s. since approvals chael Lanthier and his colleagues, all chael Lanthierand his colleagues, The researchers divided new drugs—The researchers of whom hold research or other posi hold research of whom that all say drugs are the FDA, at tions new drugs Grouping equal. not created a far their level significance reveals of by encouraging picture. more Mi Indeed, there has been a sharp drop sharp been a has there drop Indeed, in what they call “new molecular entities”— “new what they call The most valued of categories. into three drugs that have “first-in-class” allwere a new for pathway treating “a opened Prozac antidepressant The disease.” Mevacor statin the and (which lowers

- - Measuring Drug Inno Measuring Drug “An Improved Approach to “An Improved Approach

E: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE vation Finds Steady Rates of First-in-Class Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceuticals, of First-in-Class Rates vation Finds Steady Clark Kathleen L. Miller, Michael Lanthier, 1987–2011” by , August 2013. in Health Affairs Woodcock, Nardinelli, and Janet Drug-resistant MRSA bacteria, shown here with a white blood cell by an electron micrograph, have Drug-resistant MRSA bacteria, shown here with and highlighted the need for new breakthrough caused a large increase in hospital-related infections pharmaceuticals. PHOTO RESEARCHERS ber of new drugs approved each year by by ber of new drugs each year approved and Drug Administration Food the U.S. since the 1980s. changed much hasn’t and uncontrollable staph infections infections staph and uncontrollable raisedalarming the have possibility that losing the pharmaceutical scientists are true It’s that the num race with disease. GRISLY STORIES OF FLESH-EATING BACTERIA STORIES OF FLESH-EATING GRISLY THE SOURC I WANT A NEW DRUG

IN ESSENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - - n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY None of this argues for complacency, of this argues for complacency, None What decline about the drug in ap in decline apparent The of new drugs approvals is mid-1990s since the a mirage. largely provals since the mid-1990s? That is the mid-1990s? since provals a mo by largely produced a mirage mentary in new surge addition-to-class Lanthier and his ’97. drugs in 1996 and but explain the increase, colleagues can’t they note that it came the heels of the on of 1992, Act Drug Fee User Prescription in increase big a it with whichbrought drug staff reviewers. the number of FDA need an urgent There’s the authors note. especially for for new innovative drugs, “antibiotic-resistant of the treatment pediatricinfections and rare disease.” much done already have Policymakers the focus is now to speed innovation; research into money pouring on more and speeding the drug process. approval on an impact have Such“should efforts innovation in drug during development decades.” the coming age, but after but edge the innovative 1996 age, seemed to shift to the smaller firms, of all drug their share which increased to half. about a third from approvals - - - - After certain winnowing drugs (such covered the 25 years Throughout cholesterol), both approved in 1987, are are 1987, in approved both cholesterol), breakthrough were Both examples. good the way pharmaceuticals that paved The second other newfor many drugs. which category“advance-in-class,” was - “poten included pharmaceuticals that tially in treatment” offer major advances often within an existing class of drugs, serioustargeting diseases such as cancer was the “Addition-to-class” and HIV. that isn’t label applied to a compound safer or generally than effective more existing drugs individuals (though some its use significantly). from benefit may which are beta-blockers, example, For of high blood pres used in the treatment to enough long been around have sure, addition-to-classspawn many versions. as those intended only for military use) between the list of those approved from Lanthier and his coau 1987 and 2011, thors came up with a total of 645 new Thirty-two of them were percent drugs. while 22 percent first-in-class drugs, Forty- significant advances. represented six percent were addition-to-class drugs. first-in-class drugs the researchers, by rate of average an at steadilyappeared Smallpharma and large eight per year. the same ceutical produced companies aver on drugs, breakthrough of number

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------THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY solidated.” memories could be amended, or or memories could be amended, Consolidation theoryConsolidation started to break University psy York New In 2000, chologists managed to clear rats’ memo chologists to clear managed rats’ Having ries pharmaceutical with help. also trained rats to expect a shock after they in hearing a particular sound, jected a drug straight into each animal’s the part of the brain thought amygdala, receiv Upon to harbor fear memories. which stopped the brain ing the drug, the rodents synthesizing proteins, from froze at the sound. no longer in terror at In rats, The implication was huge: least, to simply a retrieving a certain from file cabinet. filing mental that memory the revelation with down the rightmanipulated under could be experibeginning with an conditions, Re ment at Rutgers University in 1968. lab rats to expect a conditioned searchers smallelectrical jolt whenever they licked a drinking tube afterwater from hear Immediately after this ing white noise. a of the rats received some conditioning, shock to the electroconvulsive stronger most of the rats were The next day, head. still hesitant to drink when they heard another theylest invite noise, white the received that had jolt—but the group zapthe second lapped up water eagerly, their fears erased. “recon - - - MIT

“Repairing Bad Memories” by Stephen S. Hall, in “Repairing Bad Memories”

Daniela Schiller, a neuroscientist at a neuroscientist Daniela Schiller, scholars century, most of the 20th For PICTURE A FAT, HAIRY TARANTULA. IF YOU’RE IF YOU’RE TARANTULA. HAIRY A FAT, PICTURE the millions who suffer arachnoamong THE SOURCE: FORGET YOUR WORRIES even an eight-legged imagining phobia, up intense feelings canmonster conjure deeply in bad rooted fearof anxiety, and memories. York Mount Sinai Hospital in New As science thinks she can help. City, Hall reports in the writer Stephen S. work Schiller’s MIT Technology Review, on wisdom turnedhas the conventional that human memories showing its head, Hall Rather, no means immutable. by are constructs “malleable they’re explains, every be rebuilt that may time they are recalled”—so malleable that our most traumatic memories possibly could be to cause us less stress. reconfigured a memoryenvisioned as a permanent imprint the brain on that strengthened “consol as known That view, with time. memory that any held theory,” idation re birthday, act—recalling a friend’s or shuddering membering to drive, how spider—amounted a thought of the at Technology Review, July/August 2013. Technology

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- - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n This finding has spurred research research has spurred This finding how Her lab is also investigating Schiller’s work could bring about could bring about work Schiller’s ing,” explains Hall, “the NYU group had had NYU group “the Hall, explains ing,” essentiallyscenario a in which created rewritehumans could a fearsome mem- ory it an unfrightening give and ending.” for of host a drug-freeinto treatments - Research memory-related conditions. heroin used it to help ers in Beijing have environ to alter their reactions addicts that trigger cravings. mental stimuli Schilling trying is now herself to help arachnophobia, people afflicted with as overhauling their neural responses tarantula. at a live they stare memory from could benefit therapy in 2010. “By mastering tim the in 2010. Nature hopeful that new pharmaceutical treat ments will lengthen the period in which If they’re a memory can be rewritten. for be a boon patients it could right, illswith suchposttraumatic as stress as allowing them to be treated disorder, they traumatic summon memories. not only a new era of psychological re shift but a complete we in how search, “Every memoir is understand history. the past “and Hall marvels, fabricated,” than our last retelling is nothing more of it.” beta-blockers, drugs usually that are used beta-blockers, Her team is heartin treating conditions.

- - - For the 10-minute group, the treat the 10-minute group, For Was the same true the same for Schil humans? Was arachnophobia, overhauling arachnophobia, overhauling their neural responses as they stare at a live tarantula. rying to Schilling is now trying to help people afflicted with ment worked. Breaking the connection connection the Breaking ment worked. and the shock the blue box between rewrote their memories so that they But the to the box. stopped reacting that went failed for the group treatment their memo- it; receiving six hours before Schiller and ries embedded. become had in her colleagues published their results ler and her colleaguesler and designed at NYU Volunteers out. an experiment to find featur- screen a computer shown were a small but then given square, ing a blue was procedure That shock. unpleasant firmly until the subjects ex repeated pected to be zapped whenever they saw This new memory was the blue square. for time to solidify—10 minutes given forhours six others. volunteers, some the blue then shown The subjects were attempt an in time, this but again, box they weren’t memory, the modify to shocked afterward.

IN ESSENCE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY And yet, since the U.S. invasion of of invasion U.S. the since yet, And to dead loved ones dot the mountainous dot the ones loved to dead Saddam’s Sulaimaniya, In landscape. headquartersintelligence still stands, tanks rusting inside in the courtyard; tor- prisoners were where rooms the are cemeteryThe of and killed. raped, tured, gassed were 5,000 civilians where a town contains 1988, 16, March to death on mustard this day, “To mass graves. three in than air—lingers gas—being heavier it inaccessible,” making the odd cellar, Fletcher writes. a semi-autonomous Kurdistan, 2003, oasis in an has become of Iraq, region - “The Birth of Kurdistan?” by Martin Fletcher, in by Martin Fletcher, “The Birth of Kurdistan?”

OTHER NA OTHER Prospect, August 2013. NEWSCOM in the Kurdish last March at a downtown park Year This is Iraq? Families celebrated the Persian New Iraqi city of Erbil. cidal oppression of Iraq’s five million million five of Iraq’s cidal oppression everywhere are in the country’sKurds are Gone northernmostthree provinces. their buildings and villages, 4,500 towns razed with concrete-block and replaced writes reporter Martin Fletch - eyesores, and memorials Minefields er in Prospect. THE SOURCE: GENO HUSSEIN’S REMINDERS OF SADDAM WHERE THIS WE IS TIONS PART COMPANY?

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY - Kurdis why Some wonder might is allotted 17 The region autonomous yet. And With of its oil the development next to nothing, Kurdistan now boasts now Kurdistan nothing, to next 13,000 and 60 hospitals, 20 universities, - “prob airports and the region’s schools,” Europe flights from more ably receive and the Middle than Baghdad.” East part remain of the countrytan would but it has it so cruelly, that has treated its reasons. $119 billion national of Iraq’s percent Also, than it pays in. budget—more a force would Iraq from away breaking territories disputed on decision ofsouth including the cityof Kirkuk. the border, the opposed has strongly “The U.S. of a countrybreakup expended so it where Fletcher notes. blood and money,” much Iran, Turkey, have at least in the past, “So, and Syria sizable their own who feared minorities rise would up if theirKurdish kinsmen gained independence.” Iraqi Sami He quotes Bayan Abdul Rahman, in the High Representative Kurdistan’s who observes that United Kingdom, need would you minimum, a bare “at and power the support regional of one for her superpower” international one landlocked to secede. homeland is poised to send Kurdistan fields, cash than it receives, more to Baghdad - - With for Kurds life so good so many flag has its own already Kurdistan lars. Erbil, one of its major cities, flaunts of its major cities, one Erbil, lars. “From several luxury car dealerships. flag and national anthem. of Iraq, in the rest and so bad today, secede? might Kurdistan Its government, anthem. and national imper- and corrupt, though fractious, army has a provisional fectly democratic, visas. and issues its own and a judiciary, is experiencing The economy double- vast are Underground digit growth. have investors and foreign oil reserves, with billions of dol flooded the region Kurdistan already has its ownKurdistan already censored through the crowds.” through censored Women with uncovered heads wore wore heads with uncovered Women Teenagers jewelry. makeup and golden A few obviously gay discreetly flirted. un wandered and the odd drunk, men, and absence of fear or religious stricture. stricture. and absence of fear or religious an otherwise anarchic and dangerous an otherwise and dangerous anarchic journalist The veteran describes country. New Kurdish the marking celebrations had “Never before in Sulaimaniya: Year safely been able to walk Westerner, a I, - or ex of Iraqis, a vast throng through friendliness, perienced such tolerance,

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n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY “The Roots of Resilience” by Carolyn Logan, in African“The Roots of Resilience” by Carolyn

As various cultural, economic, and po- economic, As various cultural, Affairs, Summer 2013. Africa, a court heard two different cases. cases. a court different two heard Africa, A man whose wife run had off demanded he had the cows that her father return man Another as a brideprovided price. grazeletting his cows of stood accused for conservation. public land marked on the court over was not an of Presiding magistratebut Chief Luthando ficial and a tribal council of four Dinwayo This arrangement men. and five women was word The council’s was no anomaly. Similar and the villagers paid it heed. law, stories of Africa, could be told in much authorities traditional wield con where of life. areas in some siderable power THE ONCE AND THE SOURCE: YEAR IN A VILLAGE IN SOUTH LAST ONE DAY notion of a Kurdish state and brutally state Kurdish of a notion popula Kurdish its own suppressed its loosening but is now past, in the tion U.S. Finally, the ethnic group. hold on waning with the withdrawalinfluence is Iraq. of American from troops some litical in place, puzzle pieces snap analysts emerging believethe picture a whole lot like an independent looks republic. Kurdish FUTURECHIEF - - -

Unrest in the Middle East, particu in the MiddleUnrest East, Meanwhile, Iraq’s Shia-dominated Shia-dominated Iraq’s Meanwhile, larly in Syria, is also pressing the issue of is also pressing larly in Syria, northeastern of Many state. a Kurdish regime of Bashar al-Assad, are pouring are al-Assad, of Bashar regime Meanwhile, north. Kurdish into Iraq’s “dramatically im is enjoying Kurdistan Syria’s two million Kurds, who are aligned are who million Kurds, two Syria’s the Shia-backed fighting with the rebels proved relations” with predominantly relations” proved which has bridled at any Turkey, Sunni a Kurdish state. au more been growing has government even as the United States has thoritarian, military, up the Iraqi to beef continued it with tanks and F-16 fighter outfitting alarms the country’strend This jets. They moderate Sunnis. who are Kurds, Shia and Sunni that Iraq’s “fear also war.” sliding toward are communities particularly in Syria, Syria, particularly in est in the Middle East, East, Unrest in the Middle issue of is pressing the an imbalance bound to stick in the stickbound to an imbalance in the after And a new pipeline craw. Kurdish this later operation begins Turkey to on to depend have won’t Kurdistan year, runningthe ones south.

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- - - African THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY ujamaa villages in which tribal Africa is an enormous and diverse Africa is an enormous and diverse Today, there’s little competition be little competition there’s Today, Traditional authorities have had to to authorities had have Traditional tween government and the traditional and the traditional government tween no evidence that there’s And authorities. embracing tribal means rejecting leaders And although traditional institutions are are institutions traditional although And commonly detrimental to be assumed to men and women of women, the interests equallywere likely to praise them—at of pollsters. presence least in the tribal and the coun of course, landmass, exact find cils of South Africa wouldn’t “The nature, Mali. say, counterparts in, as authority, of their and sources scope, and status, official their as their titles, well vary that they enjoy, of office the perks and coun communities widely across writing in Logan, explains tries,” . They do, however, enjoy broad broad enjoy however, Theydo, Affairs. solving popular support in only roles, two no power. had leaders localdisputes and allocating land. the taint of their collabora- overcome rulers European with colonial-era tion as the animosityas well of dictatorships. for of the instance—one Tanzania, In countriestwo Logan surveyed- that re traditional ported influence from weak authorities—the independence leader society reshaped ago long Julius Nyerere forcibly rural relocating by people into artificial,

------increase. Indeed, in 17 of the 19 nations polled, polled, in 17 of the 19 nations Indeed, But Carolyn Logan, a political scien But Carolyn Logan, That’s disastrous, say critics. Many see see Many critics. say disastrous, That’s lands, the usual bastion of tradition: of tradition: the usual bastion lands, dif- Relatively affluent urbanites didn’t poor farmers in their support. fer from Support wasn’t limited to the hinter Support wasn’t tist at Michigan State University, draws draws tist at Michigan State University, a wide-rangingon survey of African countries in arguing that traditional popular legitimacy authorities enjoy an important in resolving and play role local and allocatingconflicts land in their communities. a majority of those surveyed said tradi influ- “significant wield leaders tional most and in 16 of those countries, ence,” believed that the influence respondents authoritiesof traditional should ship with central authorities today. ditional authorities were willing of tools authoritiesditional were during the colonial powers the European equally an era and have corrupt relation the survival authoritiestraditional of as weak sign of governmental a troubling democ young especially in Africa’s ness, Some unelected tribal argue that racies. chiefs only becausewield power they resources, land or other valuable control to abusing their prone and that they are Mahmood Anthropologist authority. per University, Mamdani of Columbia that tra argues haps the harshest critic,

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- - - - Foreign Foreign n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY “The Rise of the Rest of India: How States Have How States Have “The Rise of the Rest of India:

Still, the fact that traditional author traditional that the fact Still, Not to worry, writes Ruchir Sharma, a writes Ruchir Sharma, to worry, Not state As late as the mid-1990s, ity figures possess an “enduring worth in “enduring an possess ity figures sizablea of majority eyes the Africans” of that they will—andsuggests should— demo Africa’s in role a play to continue cratic development. ing world’s most dynamic economy, has most dynamic economy, ing world’s badlyfaltered to sink threatens and now eco a chronic as back into its old role underperformer. nomic specialist Street emerging markets Wall In Pursuit and author of BreakoutNations: The of Economic Miracles Next the (2012). New from far lies revival India’s to secret 28 state capitals. in the nation’s Delhi, fragile and largely were governments INDIA’S CAN-DO CAN-DO INDIA’S AUTOCRATS THE SOURCE: MIN- FINANCE INDIAN 1990S, EARLY THE IN Singhister Manmohan championed a startedhost of reforms that his country growth. of economic streak a 20-year on But when Singh became prime minister his reformist he seemed to leave in 2004, - which prom once India, magic behind. ised to challenge China as the develop Become the Engines of Growth” by Ruchir Sharma, in Become the Engines of Growth” Affairs, Sept.–Oct. 2013.

- - - . listen listen. “That said,” Logan admits, “idealiz Logan admits, “That said,” There is an important lesson for Africa’s is an important forThere lesson Africa’s ing chiefs helpful than will be no more to as prone They’re them.” demonizing and in- human rights abuses, corruption, next authority as the competence figure. is always there that they the danger Plus, will tribal play favorites and exacerbate ethnic tensions. Many Africans value tribal Many Africans value tribal leaders simply because they the central government or democracy. the central or democracy. government Logan likelyfound more that the people to view as legiti the government were likely to view the more they were mate, too. authoritiestraditional as legitimate, “Rather a zero-sum- than being com popular legitimacyappears to be modity, mutually reinforcing.” popu- in the continued leaders national Logan says. larity erstwhile of their rivals, The surveys that people value revealed tribal simply leaders because they a be doing may governments “African individual better job of protecting much but their ability inter to . . . freedoms needs, to popular with and respond act and demands lags far behind.” priorities,

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY But it’s an open question whether any whether any an open question But it’s The regional political parties The regional and Bihar and Gujarat “are Bihar and Gujarat “are as different as Germany as different as Germany and Greece.” of the state leaders canof the state leaders step up to the Their political top spot in New Delhi. styles to the tailored are and coalitions And peculiarities turfs. of their home authoritarian a pronounced they have percent of Indians speak some form some Indians speak of of percent Bi language. leading the nation’s Hindi, as Ger as different “are har and Gujarat decade the past Yet Greece.” and many landscape the of has reshaped of change and inland allowing the poorer wealth, northern to close states of the gap some with the richer the coast. on ones Bharatiya national young the relatively a Hindu nationalist (BJP), Janata Party at the ex- gained ground have party, Congress pense of the long-dominant only two controls now Congress party. and this states, 10 largest of the nation’s the party’s has weakened loss of sway Its aging, authority in New Delhi. never been have . . Brahmans . “genteel they what comfortable see promoting as crass commerce.” ------In Ahmadabad, capital of the state of In Ahmadabad, “is its natural rediscovering fab India ric as a nation of strong regions,” Sharma regions,” ric of strong a nation as better thought place, It is a huge writes. It is than a country. of as a continent Only 40 language: not even united by ineffective, weighed down by a politics a politics by down weighed ineffective, caste-based re and on based coalitions But a new of leaders generation ligion. appeal realized they do better by could rising aspira economic ing to voters’ reform of Singh’s by Empowered tions. that had “licensethe interventionist raj” half-dozena chief business, stifled long built especiallyministers have impres since the mid-’90s. tracksive records red,” “the sun sets for example, Gujarat, thanks to rapid industrial development that is occurring Minister under Chief matches The pace what Modi. Narendra has often been seen in southern China. Modi has also used his popularity to cutting state institute painful reforms, subsidies and raising electricity rates. In the poverty-stricken state of Bihar, began his Kumar Nitish meanwhile, career cateringsmall to his own Kurmi but after chief becoming minis caste, agenda, ter in 2005 he pursued a broad notorious cracking the state’s on down “one crimecorruptionand and building state economies of the fastest-growing in India.”

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n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY central government and adopt centraladopt and government are There German-style federalism. signs that it is movingscattered in for example, Recently, that direction. whether about the fraught decision Walmart suchas retailers to allow big was bumped in India to open stores New Delhi to the state from down Sharma says, all their flaws, For level. hope: “represent parties the regional focused on energetic, young, They are and very much development, economic in sync with the practical aspirations majority.” of the youthful

Sharma argues that India should Sharma should argues that India He was nevertheless named the BJP’s He was nevertheless the BJP’s named candidate for prime minister in elections article after Sharma’s slated for next May, is that now The betting was published. perhaps to partythe Congress will lose, government. a coalition by be replaced ideal of a strong its unworkable abandon criticized chauvinistHindu a as and of failing to interveneaccused to stop riots anti-Muslim leftthat 2002 in more Gujarat. in Muslims dead than 1,000 streak—Sharma calls them “can-do “can-do streak—Sharma calls them been has for example, Modi, autocrats.”

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THANKCURRENT YOU BOOKS FOR YOUR SERVICE - The The THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY (2009), Finkel chronicled (2009), ingle moment in combat A single moment in combat can bring a soldier home with honor or send him back broken and ashamed. an Army infantry known battalion Fort at stationed as the 2-16 Rangers, book, In his first Kansas. Riley, bedded with the unit and was present Good Soldiers Good tour bloody 15-month the battalion’s em He spent eight months in Iraq.

, Finkel , Washington Washington staff writer David Finkel calls Thank You for Your Service for Your Thank You Wars are violent, loud, and gruesome. gruesome. and loud, violent, are Wars In REDUX Magrath Gymnasium York’s waits for a ride home outside Fort Drum, New Army Spcs. Frank Casillas in March 2011 after a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan. But combat is fleeting, and for young and for young is fleeting, But combat is a lifetime of what remains troops, untangling the dense consequences (or not made actions and of decisions - condi uncompromising in made) can in combat A single moment tions. bring or with honor a soldier home and ashamed, send him back broken for what unprepared Post the “after-war.” the “after-war.” exhaustivelythe course documents of the after-war for the members of

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- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Adam and Saskia share their home and Saskia their home Adam share Banners and signs and throngs of of and throngs Banners and signs me what happened to my husband?” she my husband?” happened to what me a tarmac so the war reaches And pleads. a cool Kansason night. but sui children, young with their two Saskia about frets cide is a houseguest. in the house and the ex guns many the drugs the prescription list of tensive her of the In one husband gulps each day. Schumann ghastliest scenes in the book, his dares and head his to shotgun a holds about He says it’s wife to pull the trigger. and a disappointment, father being a bad outward mark, only ceaseless agony over over only ceaseless agony mark, outward soldier killed the the on James Doster, When Schumann arrives at the mission. So him. Saskia greet to is there airport, tell “Can you Amanda. wife, is Doster’s to video-chat with Saskia. “None of of “None to video-chat Saskia. with if you happened have would this shit told him another soldier there,” were as It was meant following mission. the ability to to Schumann’s a compliment But Schumanna heard sniff out bombs. judgment. piercing Schumann greet ecstatic families don’t They never do for home. when he comes Gunshots the war early. those who leave tangible reasons are and amputations a buffer a war zone, for a departure from the guilt of leaving a unit behind. from mental injuries carry no Schumann’s

- - - is billed as a The Good Soldiers The Good

At the center of the story the center of At is Adam Thank You for Your Service for Your Thank You remained behind at the base in Baghdadremained soldier who had taken Schumann’s place place Schumann’s taken soldier who had was killed while Schumann a mission on Thank You for Your Service for Your , In Thank You talion.” Finkel takes up the story as Schumann of the ahead tour, his third from returns had Saskia, wife, His men. his of rest be home to come with him pleaded cause she was worriedabout his mental The catalyst for his sudden condition. in Iraq as it tends to be for troops exit, A blast. was a bomb and Afghanistan, Schumann, a gifted spotter whom IED Schumann, Finkel described in in the bat of the best soldiers “one as uniform—a hollow gesture that avoids that avoids uniform—a hollow gesture and is the gravity of war and its effects, often and veterans. troops mockedby portterminals theywhen in soldier a see of a story not yet finished. The book’s The book’s of a story finished. not yet the to reference ironic an is itself title in air passengers by phrase muttered for many of the pivotal moments de- moments pivotal of the for many - was respon 2-16 scribed the book; in two where the area sible for patrolling Reuters journalists and several Iraqis in an fire helicopter U.S. killed by were in a video and attack recorded that was WikiLeaks by released the title under Murder. Collateral follow-up, but it’s more of a continuation of more but it’s follow-up,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE - - - cast doubt The Journal of the THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY As Aieti and Schumann seek and en ter treatment, Finkel neverquite puts ter treatment, the fact for the reader into perspective the At that their stories not typical. are does mention he beginning of the book, the commonly cited statistic that 20 to of soldiers who serve30 percent in war zones with psychological issues, return while most successfully into reintegrate may narrative But his relentless society. encourage the conclusion that the mil itary is a collection of suicidal basket unstable psy- are veterans and that cases, a prevailing notion chopaths—already - Ac in the media and popular culture. tive-duty personnel are sequestered from from sequestered tive-duty are personnel torial last stop for wayward souls who torial last stop for wayward last battle. war’s endure couldn’t American Medical Association that suicide is notion common the on trauma—it found to combat related associated ratesthat suicide weren’t of deployments, with number or length such as substance abuse, but on factors case, In any and being male. depression, not could year, last retired who Chiarelli, During suicides. of procession the halt - re Chiarelli Pentagon, at the his tenure viewed each Army case suicide with his purga Room—a Gardner the in team transportation accident-related deaths deaths transportation accident-related a study vexing, more Even in number. in in August published

- - - - - But sustained and costly efforts to Finkel sets Schumann’s story and oth Finkel sets Schumann’s ers against the backdrop of the Army’s of the Army’s ers against the backdrop - increas (and increasinglywell-funded ingly befuddled) ef suicide prevention was once Chiarelli General Peter forts. but with his soldiers, tasked with leading appointment as Army vice chief of staff them save to help he was ordered in 2008, trag is the book’s Chiarelli suicide. from a crusader for practices and best ic hero, that still learnedlessons in an institution the fundamental question: answer can’t Why back from come do most troops while others kill themselveswar just fine to escape its lasting effects? Some point ethos of to the macho military culture’s in accentuated for asking help, avoiding Others infantrytough frontline units. after that lax recruiting standards suggest who troops produced of Iraq the invasion buckled of the surge, under the stress soldiers’ suicides on and blame some mental-health issues. preexisting left those issues have the mili address tary clutching and solutions. for answers suicides eclipsed and combat- Lastyear, but it’s reallythe war and about Doster but it’s ravenously foranother casual searching Saskia her wants to oblige In a way, ty. cryingTheir interrupts baby husband. The after-war will their breakdown. to wait. have

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE n - - -

has already has already served as an Army

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY infantryman in Iraq with the Third Third Strykerinfantryman with the in Iraq during Second Infantry Division, Brigade, he Until recently, surge. the 2006–07 troop U.S. was a public affairs specialist with the work His Affairs. Veterans Department of TheAtlantic.com, has been published on and The Times ’ AtNew Time.com, York blog. War ALEX HORTON Thank You for Your Service for Your You Thank has be “Thank service” for your you come a mantra of arm’s length, fleeting length, a mantra come of arm’s the shows book Finkel’s admiration. after-war in all of its post–September 11 tendernessagony—something and ordinary citizens to grapple will have decades with as the after-war lingers, afterAmericanlast the lefthas soldier falsely believing that once Afghanistan, to history. the war is confined it ended, morphed into a possible Hollywood morphed Hollywood into a possible Steven with Spielberg and Dan project, iel Day-Lewis rumored to be attached. iel Day-Lewis rumored to be attached. war Soldiers and its kinetic The Good but cinematic, seem more scenes might this If moviethat seen before. have we it will to the screen, new is adapted book tell a truer war story seen than most have battles and heroic not of gun or heard, blasts of mo of the concussive but feats, that ripplements and decisions through pickup in and trucks rooms living bar- the Kansas countryside. through reling

- - The In the and In the the psyches the psyches - of om the role Redacted Redacted ) and reckless cowboys ( ) and reckless cowboys ), or centered on the Special on or centered ), ). Few publiclyZero Few ThirtyDark ). Films focused the warson that have fleeting admiration. mantra of arm’s length, mantra of arm’s service” has become a service” has become “Thank you for your “Thank you for possible. Convincing in Convincing possible. veteran experience as of yet. Finkel cap experienceveteran as of yet. and grimness as redemption, tures as well he tells this essential story as delicately as Valley of Elah Valley in Iraq and Afghanistan are replete with replete and Afghanistan are in Iraq ( goons murderous Locker Hurt ( Forces shined a com have narratives consumable or troop the light on realistic prehensive, never their stories encounter of constant and TV shows, movies, war—leaving the gaps. journalists fill to the public on large, often geographically large, on the public communities and many bases, isolated them in their most fragile moments. of his subjects and—in an impressive of his subjects and—in an impressive of newsgatheringdisplay skills—reveals thrilling in which as he acts moments both a witness and an interviewer of soldiers and the people who care about niscient narrator, he probes he probes niscient narrator,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

- The The Hearts.” To the delight To Hearts.” THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Robert Wilson, the author of a new Wilson, Robert and a prolific essayistAmerican on and a prolific Scholar life In his excellent 2006 American topics. By Robert Wilson Bloomsbury 288 pp. $28 Irishman bushy-haired a small, Brady, and a big nose, with a pointed beard at the last might step into the room pose. your and arrange moment is editor of of Brady, biography Henry Adams’s exquisite porcelains and porcelains exquisite Henry Adams’s member of that a beloved watercolors, most exclusive of 19th-century clubs, “The Five of of the American explorer Clarence King, King, of the American Clarence explorer Wilson the challenge on of dealing took highly con oversized, dramatic, with a a tradictory personality—on hand, the one fearless and rugged of the wild conqueror a witty- sophis the other, on Sierra Nevada, ticate who felt perfectly among at home

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MAX BYRD

Frock-coated photographer’s assis photographer’s Frock-coated tants would have escorted you through escorted through have tants would you comfortable the gallery itself—a long, of the lined with photographs room merely and the wealthy, the famous, flights of more Two congressional. to a dress taken you have stairs would with a marble washstand and, ing room sitting the under a skylight, next to it, a carvedwhere chairoak a and room, a clock few awaited you—books, props a toga for (which always 11:52), read met- a and senatoriallythe inclined, in al clamp steady head to hold your black-draped camera. of the big, front Usually an assistant operated the Mathew lucky, were but if you camera, sylvania Avenue N.W., climbing a flight N.W., sylvania Avenue stairs to a skylightedof wooden room, enor an hung windows whose of outside “Brady’s forsign painted mous all see: to Photographic ArtNational Gallery.” IF YOU WERE ONE OF WASHINGTON’S OF WASHINGTON’S IF YOU WERE ONE or later you sooner elite in the late 1850s, at 350 Penn found yourself have would REVIEWED BY PORTRAITS OF A NATION PORTRAITS War Pictures War BRADY: MATHEW

MATHEWCURRENT BRADY BOOKS - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY He was born around 1823 near Lakenear 1823 bornwas He around ger, quickly becamethree with acquainted ger, first was America’s Broadway on Palace” with Soon enough, department store. methods of self-promotion his friends’ the new Brady entered in mind, well York City and, like a real-life Horatio Al like a real-life City and, York classic American visionary hustlers—the Morse, B. artist Samuel F. and inventor the mer and Barnum, P.T. the showman “Marble whose Stewart, T. chant prince A. George, New York, the son of an Irishan of son the York, New George, he suffered childhood, From immigrant. the future an irony veryeyesight, poor recognized when he told a drawer” “sun “I felt a craving even as a boy, friend that, to New 16 or 17 he moved At for light.” - - reports, memoirs memoirs reports, By contrast, Wilson’s new subject, new subject, Wilson’s contrast, By by his many friends. his many by tion before and during the Civil War are are War and duringbefore Civil the tion artist. passionate and of a great the work scant, and if his personality and appears to scant, smiling, than affable, more been no have the na he gave the images a little bland, most important figure in earlymost important figure American and if the written is record photography, lived mostly in hotels, never traveled mostlylived in hotels, and left than a no more Virginia, of west handful of letters and newspaper inter the he was without question But views. Mathew Brady (always spelled that way), Mathew Brady (always spelled that way), Mathew Brady appears leaning against a tree in this June 1864 photograph he took of Union General against a tree in this June 1864 photograph Mathew Brady appears leaning and his staff. Robert B. Potter (hatless) King left a copious biographer, of any letters, life—books, of his exciting record geological numerous ARCHIVES

MATHEW BRADY

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THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY This was no haphazard achievement. achievement. haphazard no was This much better it would often be, rather rather often better it would much be, than having a lot of contradictory- re historians—say witnesses and by cords of Caesar, Socrates, Epictetus, others—if Epictetus, Socrates, Caesar, of tuallylife-like portraitscontain of every But distinguished American living.” now “pho the word Wilsonas us, reminds “writingmeans with light.” tography” to form ambition a national Brady’s gallery evolved grander. into something Whit Walt the end of his life, Toward “had man recalled that he and Brady had the point was how a talk together: many Brady’s ambition, as he himself declared, as he himself declared, ambition, Brady’s form“to a gallerywas which shall even - Much of what we remem see—of ber—what we from his unforgettable photographs of photographs unforgettable his from Gen such Allan as Edgar notables Poe, “Swedish and the Winfielderal Scott, His beautiful Lind. Jenny Nightingale,” and delicate young of the photograph Henry is worthJames with his father of scholarship. volumes comes antebellum America from his unforgettable photographs. - For two decades, Brady enjoyed un Brady enjoyed decades, two For successful and the talked about. (Withsuccessful and the talked about. Wilson notes no evident trace of despair, “helped the modern invent that Brady not a genius He had idea of celebrity.”) only for the techniques of improving but also for using light photography, a clarity were and contrast—there and people an authenticity to his portraits, else could achieve. that no one agreed, remember—what Much of what we see—of antebellum Americawe comes matched of the success as a photographer years later, in 1844, there were already already were there 1844, in later, years catering established studios numerous with the idea of cheap, to a public in love faithful portraits themselves—“sun of “heliographs,” “sun pictures,” drawings,” as the earliest names for photography Wilson shrewdly Photography, it. had examples the first “among was observes, with the telegraph and the rail- (along that has become of a phenomenon way) in our time—an almost commonplace in technologyadvance that transforms rapidly a state of inconceivable from that everyone to something . . mystery . to.” access have could and must city, but when he opened his studio a few but when he opened city, and wildly of making business popular Commercial and selling daguerreotypes. came roughly in existence photography time that he arrivedat the same in the

MATHEW BRADY

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Memoirs THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY he had always regretted ordering. Yet even Yet ordering. alwayshe had regretted can one no the miss suchat moment, a confi indomitable mysterious, placid, a deep inner expression, dence in Grant’s the artistcharacter exposed by to light. a cooking fire or stacking a cooking fire or stacking Alongside bucolic images Alongside bucolic images of men gathered around muskets, now came shocking images. tings that revealed, as nothing else could, as nothing else could, tings that revealed, Wilson As the essentials of a personality. he seems simply his moved to have notes, pho great In one portrait studio outdoors. Ulysses Grant leans against a tree tograph, almost suicidal shortly after the last terrible, an assault assault at Cold Harbor in 1864, confess in his that Grant would ered around a cooking fire or stacking fire a cooking around ered came now shocking of images muskets, of gray corpses left unburied field, the on and white bones and torn, soldiers bloody particular a showed affinity Gardner skulls. he for Gettysburg, such photographs—at actually a Confederate moved corpse to a and repositioned dramatic position more rifle beside him—but soldier’s the dead kind of portraitsBrady excelled in the he and set faces the war: before mastered had

------Then, at Antietam in 1862 and 1862 and in at Antietam Then, When the war came, the historian the historian Whenthe war came, Gettysburg the following year, photo Gettysburg the following year, step. graphic journalism a decisive took Alongside bucolic images of men gath images bucolic Alongside sons, photographers who attached them photographers sons, selves of the Confederacy to the forces The operators far fewertook pictures.) never attempted to photograph almost actual cameras combat—their required por their time—but exposure an long too traits of camp life and celebrated generals all the North. display over on were wherever they went. (For a variety of rea (For they went. wherever we could have three or four or half a or foura or half three have could we be his would that . . dozen portraits . tory—the best history—a history from no appeal.” be would which there Wilson fasci traces in seized his chance. enterprise Brady’s nating detail mak of which from record, ing a photographic the of be no appeal, indeed would there the Union. Homeric strugglerestore to close He is especially Brady’s on good with Abraham Lincoln—in relationship us at and his assistants gave Brady all, least a dozen- of the presi photographs business rivalry his on dent—and with assistant his onetime Alexander Gardner, hardly were These two the and partner. only of the war—hun- photographers of camera and camera dreds wagons armies operators the Union followed

MATHEW BRADY

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n (1997), for exam- (1997), Mathew Brady andMathew Brady THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The s a contributing editor of The i To the argument that such images are that such are argument the images To There have been other biographies of been other have There MAX BYRD most recently, Wilson Quarterly and the author, Deadline. of the historical The Paris novel - con a human way in an explicit troduce been that had sciousness of the violence fields.” out in these now-serene played of than a chemicalno more recording that Brady replies he lights and darks, what might be called created in fact The drama photography.” “first-person plain make intensity and works his of just the doings is not photograph “a that rendering of an objective of a sunbeam, by in effect, a view but created, a scene, They . . . an individual consciousness. the sun.” from steal photography the Image ofthe Image History notable for is its book Wilson’s But ple. his And narrative. up-to-date thorough, criticism are of work to Brady’s responses aboutpassage beautiful a In high order. a he ponders the Gettysburg photographs, studyingBrady of seriesa the pictures of Reynoldslandscape General John where “in Wilson says, died—“the photos,” had in poverty in New York at the age of 72, of 72, at the age in povertyYork in New money for enough without headstone. a of his discussions severalBrady and fine art—Mary Panzer’s

- - Wilson analyzes such of a number life afterBrady’s the war makes for sad Civil War negatives came to little. He died came negatives to little. War Civil photographs—he is especiallyphotographs—he on good sly including of practice Brady’s himself, of his wartimein some Hitchcock-like, perhaps In these, the best of pictures. taken afterWilderness of the the Battle the arranged the photographer in 1864, and mem- general RobertUnion Potter in to height bers of his staff according wearing The men, of their tents. front general, at their bareheaded look hats, grimlywho stares at the camera. ahead the silveryVirginia pines them, Above to the right And of to the sky. stretch ci the frame stands a well-dressed leg casually cocked. vilian, hip, hand on the author of Wilson as tells us, It is, “Brady has posed himself the image: not the subject of the as what he was, intelligence.” presiding but its photograph a he began a widower, Childless, reading. Late in life he poverty. descent into slow claimwould that the ruinous expense of put him on war had the photographing Wilson makes to bankruptcy. the road prod own that Brady’s however, it clear, causereal the was a lifelong trait, igality, several For of his declining fortunes. to his studio in he held on decades, more and business fellBut away, Washington. his efforts collection of to sell his great

MATHEW BRADY

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY - What’swork lower-wage is changed song who “wears denim, drinks- Amer “wears denim, who song actively participates in his icanbeer,” or neighborhood union, local church, They expressed suspicion of the government and of institutions in general, but also believed they were the ones to blame for the detours and wrong turns they’d made. By Jennifer M. Silva Press Oxford Univ. 192 pp. $29.95 a postindustrial status in economy, ers’ The their sense of identity. and with it, countryof man hard-livin’ hard-workin’,

l - - - -

by Jennifer Jennifer by Coming Up Short SARAH L. COURTEAU

and everything’s been automated, and everything’s been automated, That is and isn’t true, of course. With of course. true, That is and isn’t anyway. anyway. gered species. The factory work’s gone gone The factory work’s species. gered bro backs are the unions’ overseas, ken, AMERICA’S WORKING CLASS IS AN ENDAN WORKING CLASS IS AN AMERICA’S REVIEWED BY WORKING-CLASS ADULTHOOD ADULTHOOD WORKING-CLASS Life Margins on the UP SHORT: COMING OF UNCERTAINTY IN AN AGE the exception of trades such as law of trades such as law the exception which firefighting, and enforcement or diced up into be outsourced can’t traditiona many shifts, penny-ante blue-collar jobs have become rarer. But But rarer. become blue-collar jobs have classthe working itself is still around, couches, its members surfing relatives’ taking out stag cards, living off credit gering they college loans for degrees and piecing use, or can’t finish can’t retailers, at coffee shops, work together as docu- Yes, and security companies. mented in a postdoctoral fellow at Har Silva, M. School Kennedy of Government, vard’s classthe working is still very much with us.

COMINGCURRENT UP BOOKS SHORT THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY slated to eventually enter the service with loan debt to pay economy—but theywhat about should Confused off.”) suspicion they expressed to, even aspire in and of institutions of the government the but also believed they were general, to blame for detours and wrong ones the loners. They were made. turns they’d better future. But they were struggling But they were future. better financial secure to out how to figure didn’t aid—even if they qualified—and into a to translate a degree how know Silva(Without that knowledge, career. college simply acts “community writes, forpen holding a as working-class youth

- “hard work, family, God, and the the and God, family, “hardwork, In their place is a new of In their place generation to Rosie the Riveter, a family anchor the Riveter, to Rosie up. with her sleeves rolled forever who adults young anxious and unsettled get to buy a home, afford literally can’t a stable family or have (though married, do end up with kids anyway). many Only about a fifth of the people Silva interviewed mar- for were her book bought the number had A large ried. that education is the keymessage to a REDUX class jobs have dwindled, but working class people are still around. Working promise of the American dream” is hard of the American dream” promise er to find. Ditto the down-to-earth Ditto heir er to find. bar scene (perhaps all three), and swears swears and (perhapsbar scene all three), by

COMING UP SHORT

- - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Because they haven’t been able to walk Because they haven’t Particularly striking of is the sense the same path to adulthood followed by by followed the same path to adulthood people have these young past generations, step ahead of his student loan payments. payments. loan of his student ahead step Uncle to give have Sam first your “You pan and it doesn’t born a degree to get he says. out!” tional conduits of adulthood are deeply are of adulthood conduits tional Marxto references and and gendered” her interviewees’ but through Engels, of the academese free breaks it voices, importantand says something and new changingabout the American character. feel subjects of Silva’s betrayal many black the young Take education. toward (All names were man she calls Brandon. in the top tier changed.) He graduated of his high school class and attended a ex- private universitySoutheast, in the But engineer. an becoming about cited so pass calculus or physics, he couldn’t he switched his major to criminal justice. he Graduating with $80,000 in debt, but police departments, applied to three a lottery by at one was dinged system, and at another for failing a spelling test, for participatingat a third in a college at his record even on prank that wasn’t to in the confessed school but that he’d Eleven years of being honest. interest at a cloth as a manager he works later, chain can and ing store barely keep one

- - - Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) (Not) On Dimed: and Nickel From October 2008 to February 2010, to February 2008 October 2010, From In intimate and sometimes wrenchingIn intimate and sometimes conversations, Silva—herself- a first-gen conversations, daughter the eration college student and out her subjects a firefighter—draws of and aspirations, their histories, their on the myriad obstacles they in trying face of markers to achieve the traditional and the spouse, house, adulthood—the Coming Up Short paycheck. a steady of a dissertationbears the earmarks cum - with observations“Tradi such as book, one person, much less a family, in her in her less a family, much person, one 2001 book Getting By in America.) reich memorablyreich the claim put the lie to servicethat canjobs adequately support during the depths of the Great Reces during the Great depths of the - re slow the of beginning the and sion Silva hundred a about to spoke covery, 24 ages working-class men and women as people “working class” Defining to 34. attended college, hadn’t whose fathers “the children how she sought to trace class of the working ago of a generation to be . . what it means . recreating are She Lowell, focused on class.” working Virgin and Richmond, Massachusetts, because embody the cities these two ia, new of dwindling economy industrial funding, government diminished work, of low-paying and the proliferation (Barbara Ehren jobs. “May I help you?”

COMING UP SHORT - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Another young woman bedeviled by bedeviled by woman young Another Silva’s focus on the Isolated AmericanIsolated the focus on Silva’s his managerial position at his compa at his managerialhis position Eileen, because ny of anxiety attacks. with posttraumaticwho was diagnosed after that disorder she discovered stress her boyfriend their four- was molesting to on wants to pass daughter, year-old per “we aren’t that lesson the kids her try and we make mistakes we that fect, learned you’re . . “I’ve . it.” to learn from want don’t better if you to get not going who was neglected by says a woman to,” out of college her mother and flunked because of her drinking. is a photography 31, Monica, alcohol, an artis, at she student college where thread “justa by on hanging says, she alcoholic An all the time financially.” she the time she was a teenager, from a string her of jobs through worked as she struggledtwenties with addic she to sobriety, committed Now tion. of stuff that tons “there’s that reflects done, about that I’ve feel proud I don’t change But I can’t of stuff. like tons am today be who I and I wouldn’t that, everything through go that I if I didn’t like, a very, had I feel And like I’ve did. up and colorful growing live-out-loud, a lot of life’s know and you maturing, to learn to and I had that I had lessons .” myself through go

- -

Reading these accounts can these accounts Reading be pain ful. Often, internal transformation is Often, ful. to cling people have all these young to, and they wield therapeutically tinged to describelanguage their attempts to the challenges in their lives. overcome all it’s that out figure to got just “You to talk almost got and you head in your says a man who lost out of it,” yourself come—addiction, alcoholism, mental mental alcoholism, come—addiction, family and troubled his- health issues, this is a stark As Silva points out, tories. working taciturn” “stoic, the change from Today’s stiff of the public imagination. working-class Americans young were not afraid and they’re raised Oprah, on to use her. had to develop their own measuring measuring to develop their own had So they’ve the taken stickfor growth. mixed American ethos of self-reliance, bent of America’s “neoliberal” it with the (Silva economy the free-market deploys and embraced a term like a dirty word), to lifeto that seeks self-help approach they’ve what from meaning make over Sam your firstborn to get get firstborn to Sam your have to give Uncle Uncle to give have “You and it doesn’t a degree pan out!”

COMING UP SHORT

- - is literary editor of

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY n SARAH L. COURTEAU The Wilson Quarterly. - Account Card She Credit the credits But they’re suspicious of one another another one of suspicious they’re But as well. ability Responsibility and Disclosure the American Recovery Rein and Act, Care and the Affordable Act, vestment initiatives legislative major Act—all of the Obama administration—with of the social attempting to offer some that help ensure that would protections hung working-class aren’t adults young away to come hard But it’s out to dry. in the without hearing, her book from a deeper loss and yearn stories she tells, social safety ing than a strengthened what and wondering remedy, net would the ultimate cost will be to a country the servicedepend on to that has come of strangers. - - - Bowling Alone: The Collapse and The Collapse Bowling Alone: Silvaworking-class young that hopes may ring familiar to those who read ringmay who read to those familiar Harvard Robert scientist social Put nam’s ofRevival American Community (2000). which expanded book, That seminal the statistical- that Amer insight from leagues, in icans not to bowl tend today argued that the country’s sense of com both have munity and civic engagement Silva of Putnam’s is one badly eroded. and his observations assistants, research about the decline commu of a sense of the book. nity throughout resonate Americans will be able to reconnect, particularly ruefuland she’s that the to and the movements of unions power have minorities and women empower Her dwindled in the last few decades. working-class feel subjects may that the and the education system, government, casesin some the military or (several are let them down. have been enlisted) have

COMING UP SHORT

, he increased the maga- he increased , THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The English ConstitutionEnglish The A decade and a half ago, during the A decade and a half ago, stressed the distinction between the the between the distinction stressed By Frank Prochaska Press Univ. Yale 207 pp. $38 articulated first in Lombard Bagehot that established the 1873 book Street, him as the pioneering theorist of the But Bagehot system. modern financial than just an (1826–77) was far more During as the his 17 years economist. editor of the London-based weekly The Economist a stream influence and produced zine’s in many of articles that, and books cases, are as relevant today as they were as they as relevant today were are cases, in his lifetime. crisis brought of the British monarchy Diana, the death of Princess by on whose again the sage was once Bagehot Bagehot’s was widelywisdom cited. 1867 book

- - MARTIN WALKER

During finan of the recent the years cial crisis, marked as they have been been as they have marked cial crisis, by measures if controversial, heroic, by such one candidate our central bankers, 140 some It was he who, stood out. coined the central banker’s ago, years rulegolden in times of such disaster: lend The lender of last resort must and at collateral, against good freely, rates enough to dissuade high interest For not genuinely in need. borrowers central bankers our current or ill, good bend generous, more been much have ing this classicWalter mantra which acquaintances. acquaintances. FEW PEOPLE CAN HAVE READ THE HAVE FEW PEOPLE CAN autobiographies and Gibbon of Edward StuartJohn the on Millmusing without by of parallel works prospect agreeable are The qualifications similar figures. Such simply would an author stated: intellectual giftsgreat to possess need with a compelling writingalong style life in stirringand an interesting times, of remarkable company in the lived WALTER BAGEHOT BAGEHOT WALTER REVIEWED BY An Economists’ Oscar WildeOscar An Economists’ OF MEMOIRS THE

THECURRENT MEMOIRS BOOKS OF WALTER BAGEHOT

- - - - - A Universal Money A Universal , to the level of petty life.” levelto the petty of life.” THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY It is indeed remarkable to It is indeed remarkable consider the many modern modern the many consider in addressed Bagehot tropes the years of Queenthe years Victo the In weighing reign. ria’s the single over controversies there currency, European feware to start better places of his 1869 than the preface book in which that he suggested in theory idea good a may in practice bring unexpect- down the pridedown sovereign of ty Constitutional stability, stability, Constitutional manners, good and not just a certain discre required fam the regal about tion must “We intimacies. ily’s not let in daylight upon put it. as Bagehot magic,” ed calamities. In the current debate debate In the current calamities. ed rich the widening gap between over and worth remembering Bagehot’s it’s poor, poverty is an observation“in truth, that very It is - diffi anomaly to rich people. who want people why out make to cult half of One dinner do not ring the bell. do to the saying, according the world, Ac the other half lives. how not know as in fiction nothing is so rare cordingly, Though of the poor. delineation a good

- - BRIDGEMAN BRIDGEMAN Bagehot (mezzotint) by Norman Hirst Walter “Efficient” part of the system, which did part system, the of “Efficient” might (we “Dignified” and the the work, which was symbol part, decorative) say ically important but functionallyfeeble. provided noted, Bagehot The monarchy, family offered while the royal the dignity, public of comfort to the an institution - mad sons, wayward with ing familiarity, and drunk saucy grandmothers, aunts, is an family the throne on “A en cousins. brings “It he observed. idea,” interesting

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT - - Gov-

Congressional THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Bagehot’s admirers have been many been many have admirers Bagehot’s (1885). For America’s 28th 28th America’s For ernment (1885). wisdom was widely cited. journalists.” guished of all financial Liberal prime great minister Britain’s friend, a personal William Gladstone, man of most “a was wrote that Bagehot and for the historian gifts,” remarkable greatest “the simplywas he Young, M. G. fan was biggest his Perhaps Victorian.” who leaned heavily Wilson, Woodrow writings constitutional in Bagehot’s on his own composing During the crisis of the of the During the crisis brought British monarchy of Princess on by the death was once Diana, Bagehot whose again the sage Thatch- Margaret For and illustrious. the most distin perhaps, “Hewas, er, relations between the sexes, I cannot I cannot the sexes, between relations I pre gems whichdecide of Bagehot’s “Men make advances who do not fer. to victims to become apt are to women them” to advances who make women “A can resist how But one classic. a is but his is his misfortune, mother man’s wife is his fault”?

- - - Bagehot’s epigrams rival Bagehot’s even those In today’s discussions about the bal discussions In today’s ance between personal freedom and and freedom personal ance between sets again Bagehot security, national “So as war is the main long the tone: temporary des business of nations, duringpotism—despotism the cam- even Bagehot paign—is indispensable.” regarding useful to say has something atheists arguments between the recent “The whole historyand believers: of and civilization is strewn with creeds at invaluable whichinstitutions were and deadly afterwards.”first, One of my favorites, Wilde. of Oscar to the wise for those of us and a word is our pens, who earn our livings from his dry observation“the reason that written so few are books why is good that so few people who can write know Wilde have himself would anything.” ob Bagehot’s to concoct been proud servation“it to be without is good that without be to good not is it but vices, to when it comes And temptations.” perpetually with us in reality, we rarely perpetuallyuswith in reality, meet (A curious them in reading.” our greatly who one from this, comment, and visited her Eliot George admired where Wood, John’s regularly in St. markets discuss the money they would she feltand the pain in composing her novels.)

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT

- - - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY He had a happy if childless a happy He had marriage Bagehot read for the bar, but initial for the bar, read Bagehot ly in the family followed footsteps to a countrybecome trans banker before forming classic himself into that Vic Besides letters. a man of torian figure, the experience of banking, the firsthand opportuthe him familyallowed - firm nityalleviateto occasionalthe of bout melancholy descending to the vaults by - and running a com through his hands He was forting sovereigns. heap of gold perhapsalso but polymatha instinct, by being slightly his unorth education, by for of his class. an Englishman odox of the old public schools, of one Instead at he attended Bristol College and then, to University went - Col of 16, the age He rather than Oxford. London, lege, and studied the usual subjects—Greek mathe and German, Hebrew Latin, widely. read matics and literature—and to the woman who became his employer. who became his employer. to the woman been foundedThe Economist had in profound human sympathy that is also that sympathy human profound his across ranges He read. to pleasure a finance varied interests—from subject’s national to governance from poetry, to of evolution the science from character, allis And to the mysteriesreligion. of epigrammatic with Bagehot’s peppered but it comes thing, It is not the real wit. exceedingly close. - - - - The tragedy is that Bagehot, in the Bagehot, The tragedy is that book the person, first the in Written president, Bagehot was both wit and and both wit was Bagehot president, is born a man into “Occasionally, seer: the world it evidently mission whose is to clarifyhis generation, the thought of it where it speed to give it; and to vivify balance it is blind, where vision is slow, saving humour it is out of poise, where it is dry—andwhere such was a man Bagehot.” Walter left no au vast range of his writings, has been lacuna But that tobiography. splendidly an American by schol filled who has Prochaska, Frank ar of Britain, he where and at Oxford, Yale taught at was a visiting fellow at All Souls College. He has written the British on monarchy, and and philanthropy women and on and ChristianityVictorian in England, has immersed himself so deeply in the life that the man’s and times of Bagehot eerilyspeaking to us be to appears voice the grave. from own daringlyBagehot’s itself as presents this im question may Pedants memoir. particularly- Prochas when pertinence, ka writes of such matters as personal mother. illnessmental the Bagehot’s of once Bagehot (“Every in life,” trouble “is to mad compared a joke remarked, a has delivered ness.”) But Prochaska of extraordinarywork scholarship and

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT - - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY The coup came three years after years camecoup The the three ed, “he has no sympathy with the voice ed, of ‘mass with the less body of the people, the work He conceives men.’ unknown counterrevolutions, all that remained all that remained counterrevolutions, In Britain, parliamenta was Sardinia. in the political system was able contrast, by of the new to the emergence to adapt manufacturing cities and social classes. The Reform of 1832 widened the Act franchise to about a fifth of Britain’s in reform, and a second males, adult enfranchised roughly half of them. 1867, admirer unqualified was not an Bagehot Wilson conclud indeed, of this process; French constitution (“a government of government (“a constitution French writes barristers newspaper and editors,” was channeling Bagehot) Prochaska, restoring order, that by and unworkable commerce Louis restored Napoleon “The food put and back shops. the into of industryprotection and employment argues dutyis the first of government,” “The real as Bagehot). (again, Prochaska that within weeks case was for Napoleon society was no longer of the coup d’état, feltbut mouth to sure hand from living of her next meal.” Eu that swept ferment and revolution waspishly as Bagehot and, in 1848, rope after newthe drafts - constitu of noted, and the dreams and parliaments, tions the inevitable slogans all by followed ------The - The Economist to his six daugh Prochaska makes astute use of this makes astute use of this Prochaska Bagehot enjoyed travel and was par travel enjoyed Bagehot ticularly attached to France; he was in ticularly attached to France; of Louis Napo for the coup d’état Paris for brief two restored, in 1851 that leon Prochaska’s Empire. the French decades, experience—clam of Bagehot’s account nervously await bering barricades, over trying but ing the arrival of the troops, which he from a window failing to hire could watch the storming of a fortress in and safety—isrelative particularly good, letters to heavily Bagehot’s rests on a Unitarian church publication Inquirer, back in England. - con the deep-rooted episode to explore servativeunderlay instincts that Bage supported Bagehot the liberalism. hot’s that the latest the grounds on coup, ters, who appointed Bagehot to the edi who appointed Bagehot ters, 1843 by James Wilson, who later be who later Wilson, James by 1843 Treasury secretary came financial the to deputy of minister Britain’s (in effect, - Bage Wilson, Befriended by finance). hot married1858 eldest daughter in his publication’s of the one and was named Wilson died in India in 1860, directors. leaving handsome at a torship the following year (In 1851, annual salary800 pounds. of only around to census data, according of Britons an income had percent two a year.) 150 pounds above

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT ------THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY While a brilliant and captivating man in on lives Bagehot In that regard, Quoting from Bagehot’s actual writQuoting actual Bagehot’s from ings, which assert institutions that free ings, goes Prochaska dullards, thrive among “The unrivalled English are in stu on, pidity a characteristic is our suited to and its carelessly Constitution created freedoms.” institutional jour of the greatest and one of his time, con was Bagehot nalists who ever lived, the limits of the profession. strained by and criticize, analyze, He could describe, but with the important of his exception he could banking and finance, on work Wilson As put neither build nor create. afteradmiringand essay long a in it not in contact are “You death, Bagehot’s with systems of thought or with princi but only with a ples that dictate action, perfect explanation.” globally influential today’s of pages the of which he was the greatest Economist, it has a fluent In his tradition, editor. a gift for explaining a dashing style, pen, and a knack simply, matters complex for being just a careful inch or so ahead pidity, by which I meant the roundabout which I meant the roundabout by pidity, and dull that sense custom common Stu of most men. steers the opinion constitution of the state which they whichstate the of they constitution with such zeal so and often, so have establish.” to attempted vainly, - - - - - came came On the Origin of Species It was not simply that Bagehot was It was not simply was that Bagehot Bagehot concluded that concluded that Bagehot stability must order and law. come first, then out in 1859. Bagehot concluded Bagehot that out in 1859. and stability first, come order must and only then the delicate then law, re and and risky task of improvement that the heart persuaded He was form. character, national in of politics lay and that parliamentary government in Britain becauseworked the people with the useful virtue endowed were In lively and quick-spir of stupidity. has Prochaska contrast, by ited France, “There lurking is some write, Bagehot quality in the character of the French them but poorly whichnation renders and foradapted the form and freedom an elitist. He was also a significant po a also was He elitist. an of government to be a work which is which is a work to be of government onlypossible instructed to the few.” perhaps and his most litical theorist, was Physics and Poli ambitious book Thoughts on the Application of or, tics, and Selection’ the Principles‘Natural of written , Society Political to ‘Inheritance’ revolu in the decade after Darwin’s tionary

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT

is a Wilson Center Wilsonis a Center

n THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY , was published earlier year. this , MARTIN WALKER senior scholar. His latest novel, The Devil’s His latest novel, senior scholar. Cave figure he was. The autobiographies of autobiographies The he was. figure willMill disgraced not be Gibbon and the shelf on is placed if this book them. alongside s - delightful confection, we now have a a have now we confection, delightful seriously entertaining how of account cameBagehot to be the extraordinary free institutions. It is the great legacy of It is the great institutions. free and thanks to Prochaska’ man, a great of the conventional wisdom. And if it And wisdom. conventional of the princan great forsaid to stand be any embrace of broad it is Bagehot’s ciple, and ideas, free trade, free markets, free

THE MEMOIRS OF WALTER BAGEHOT - - On A Gentle Gentle A THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY (1995), about extreme book book about extreme (1995), represents a new contribution to a new contribution to represents Basbanes is more optimistic about optimistic about Basbanes is more lective cultural anxiety about the fate cultural anxietylective about the fate Re and of literacy itself. of the book, suchstudies cent English novelist as ode to the lost art of Philip Hensher’s handwriting concern betray a broader for the material of reading, culture The British publishing. and writing, writer Ian Sansom subtitled his own study of paper Anrecent Elegy. By Nicholas A. Basbanes Knopf 448 pp. $35 and preservationists, about book the supremely entertaining Madness collectors and other bibliomanes. Paper dialogue about the future an ongoing years, recent In and print. of reading writers such as American journalist col our plumbed have Carr Nicholas

- - - - -

(2001), (2001), and Fortitude Patience CHRISTINE ROSEN CHRISTINE

Basbanes identifies himself as a himself as a Basbanes identifies including perbolic talk about a coming “paperless” “paperless” perbolic talk about a coming with day a idea of going the society, copy in the office of paper out a ream alarm ac most people machine would Because so many it. to using customed humble or mun duties are of paper’s hygiene, of personal dane—facilitator to and currency exchange, bureaucracy, name but a few—it to overlook is easy Yet, plays it the central in our lives. role us in his reminds Basbanes as Nicholas , it On Paper wide-ranging new study, is precisely this versatility and ubiqui ty of respect, that make paper worthy even in a digital age. in paper His interest “bibliophiliac.” grew out of a career exploring the his own, of in books of books culture WE ARE SURROUNDED BY TECHNOLOGIES BY TECHNOLOGIES WE ARE SURROUNDED so perhaps none fortake granted, we Despite our increasing as paper. much smartphones to our devotion and hy TWO-THOUSAND-YEAR HISTORY TWO-THOUSAND-YEAR REVIEWED BY THE EVERYTHING OF ITS OF ITS THE EVERYTHING Sheet by Sheet Sheet by Sheet ON PAPER:

ONCURRENT PAPER BOOKS - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY As Basbanes demonstrates, this hum As Basbanes demonstrates, ble technologyble many in keya role played Gutenberg’s crucial historical moments: but it printing was remarkable, press which was nothing without paper on of was a key component Paper to print. developed in hot-air balloon, the first in advance a great 18th-century France, figured has It technologythe flight. of and political in rebellions prominently of Taxation scandals the centuries: over paper documents in the Ameri official means of the Stamp can by Act colonies of 1765 helped foment revolutionary the future of paper, in part because he of paper, the future “In its past. has so thoroughly explored manner in the explosive to contrast which the Internet has galloped its way just a over to continent continent from “paper he writes, few decades,” recent country one at methodically, root took it go, shifts’ ‘paradigm as Yet, a time. offering a medium of was monumental, cultural transmission that was supple, highly mo- inexpensive, convenient, to suited and . . . to make simple bile, writing of other applications, hundreds being just the most far-reaching.” CORBIS Still rolling: Paper is a surprisingly durable material.

ON PAPER - - THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Basbanes also considers basic human basic human considers Basbanes also tion Kimberly-Clark, whose philosophy whose philosophy Kimberly-Clark, tion who claims that the British army supplied manufactured by the U.S. megacorpora the U.S. by manufactured of one of paper use is summed up by “One and done.” slogans, the company’s the Americans had long have Evidently, enthu being far more of odd distinction siastic users of toilet tissue than people “The Basbanes notes, in other countries. II correspondent War legendary World Ernie Pyle a chaplain reported how the pockets through of gone who had 10 Americans found killed in battle had packets paper than of any of toilet more historian He cites another other item.” nks intent on Buddhist monks intent on their sacred disseminating of paper’ssutras were some early most enthusiastic purveyors. such tissue and as facial conveniences, are of these products Many toilet paper. ized; demand was high, fueled in part fueled in high, was demand ized; his Among the rise of newspapers. by Benjamin Franklin polymathic pursuits, American in the merchant was a paper colonies.

- To give readers a sense of paper’s past of paper’s a sense readers give To sensitive records are being recycledbeing into are records sensitive and egg cartons. pizza boxes popularity, significance and continued to China and Japan to Basbanes travels witness the ancient art of papermaking. He describes the Chinese invented how after which the millenniapaper two ago, Ja- and Korea to east spread innovation Central Asia and, through and west pan, by made Early paper, Europe. eventually, with of trees bark the inner combining nets and fishing hemp, scraps of cloth, then beaten into pulp, soaked, that were a bamboo and driedstretched across the on was a vast improvement frame, clay tablets and papyrus used in scrolls intent Buddhist monks previous eras. sutras their sacred disseminating on most enthusiastic of paper’s some were By the 17th century, early purveyors. papermaking industrial was becoming - Today, with the U.S. government pulping government with the U.S. Today, million top-secret hundred about one our country’s most documents every year, war with Britain. The Zimmermann Zimmermann The Britain. war with Ger the message the coded Telegram, ambassador sent to its man government in 1917 authorizingin Mexico to him territoryMexico if it to U.S. promise the GermanI on War World entered America helped goad into entering side, afterwar the it. British the deciphered

ON PAPER -

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY As criticalcertain as gov- pieces of aper might seem ephem- insurmountable challenge insurmountable challenge to render unreadable—as the East German secret P eral, but on a bureaucratic scale, it can pose an police discovered when they attempted to destroy Stasi files in 1989. facilitated both crime and espionage. crime both facilitated and espionage. there’s ernment-issued paper can be, of it that simplyan awful lot ends up by filed somewhere, or a box in a file After record-keepers. bureaucratic consideringthe Sisyphean task of ar- chiving and storing federal government approvingly Basbanes cites records, characterization- of bureaucra Balzac’s by set in motion power “giant cy as a might seem ephemeral, Paper dwarfs.” can it pose scale, a bureaucratic but on an insurmountable challenge to render the East German secret unreadable—as when they attempt police discovered Stasi in 1989 as the files ed to destroy fell. Berlin Wall - - - - Perhaps the most valuable form of Perhaps Basbanes also examines the impor- its soldiers with three sheets a day, while day, sheets a three with its soldiers a whopping the Americans required - re we Today twenty-two and a half. of toilet consumers main enthusiastic from pressure to response in but, paper, Kimberly-Clark in environmentalists, recycled on materialscreasingly relies to satisfy our habits. is money. in the past, as today paper, Basbanes visits the Crane paper factory which counts Massachusetts, in Dalton, cliits largest of as one - Treasury the U.S. resist couldn’t One Crane executive ents. that although the Basbanes boasting to fancy note features British five-pound it only and illustrations, watermarking in circu of 12 months lasts an average the American By comparison, lation. three-and- robust dollar a more enjoys life. a-half-year tance of paper for documenting identity citing Czeslaw Milosz’s and nationality, “Theobservation: Mind in The Captive drawn conclu have of today emperors Whatever this simple truth: from sions exist at does not paper, does not exist on Ownership of a passport has often all.” partic been a matter of life and death, and Basbanes ularly during wartime, offers glimpses of the thriving black that has documents forged in market

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n is a Future Tense Tense is a Future

THE WILSON QUARTERLY AUTUMN 2013 THE WILSON QUARTERLY Fellow at the New America Foundation and at the New America Foundation Fellow A Journal Newsenior editor of The Atlantis: Her newest book, of . & Society Technology will be published The Extinction of Experience, in 2014. CHRISTINE ROSEN In the book’s final chapters, Bas chapters, final In the book’s banes reflects on the paper that swirled the paper on banes reflects Loweraround the imme- Manhattan in diate aftermath terrorist attacks of the business In a few short hours, 9/11. on and other cards, notes, documents, everyday trans paper ephemera were formed into a horrifying de kind of bloodstained reminders bris—singed, That perished. had of the people who pieces of paper survivedso many while buildings that had the steel-and-glass housed them collapsed seemed surreal To to those who witnessed that day. not papers those understand we day, but as sym- merely as material objects, bols of loss and survival in which we As Basbanes’s meaning. great invest that most remark paper, shows, book has always been the able technology, medium formost effective capturing what is both practical and passionate about being human. paper are worthy subjects in their own in their own subjects worthy are paper an ex is and Basbanes however, right, cellent to them. guide

- - - - of paper,” he doesn’t he doesn’t idea of paper,” . The book is more a loose is more book The . On Paper Readers searching for an overarching searching Readers Finally, Basbanes explores paper’s in paper’s explores Basbanes Finally, valuable role as a medium for creative for as a medium creative role valuable Leon- Without to paper, access work. Vincida been have not ardo would allable to brainstorm through his way Basbanes also offers a those notebooks. of paper group a heterodox glimpse of an chasers, document obsessives—the philatelists, tiquarian collectors, book for passion by and others consumed Aftershowing particularkinds of paper. Basbanes a draft of the Munich copy both Hitler and by annotated Agreement, collector renowned one Chamberlain, “When ask me about the you enthused, the power I say piece of paper, of a power holding now are of the document you This is the hands is staggering. in your II.” War World document that starts extraordinary paper’s theme beyond history and utility will be disappointed by uses collection of essays the many on of paper than a chronological history. de such Basbanes’s as partsAnd of it, scriptions of particular papermaking techniquescorporate or the historiesof a surfeit suffer from of paper companies, an explo Although he promises detail. ration of “the His explorations of one. quite deliver endurance and of culture, creation, the

ON PAPER WQ THE WILSON QUARTERLY

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LITERARY EDITOR Sarah L. Courteau

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Darcy Courteau

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FOUNDING EDITOR Peter Braestrup (1929–1997)

BUSINESS DIRECTOR Suzanne Napper

APP DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN iAuthorscape

CONTINUES

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