White male privilege remains alive in America, but the phrase would seem odd, if not infuriating, to a sixty-year-old man working as a Walmart greeter in southern Ohio. George Packer aliveamericagreeter Change image and share on social
Oprah is just this goddess presiding over so much of American life, and her story is really interesting - the way she made herself, and the ruthlessness it took, and also the fantasizing that it took. George Packer americanfantasizegoddess Change image and share on social
As America has grown less economically equal, a citizen's ability to move upward has fallen behind that of citizens in other Western democracies. We are no longer the country where anyone can become anything. George Packer abilityamericacitizen share on social
Americans almost never elect presidents on the basis of foreign policy. George Packer americanbasiselect Change image and share on social
It's essential for the U.S. and Europe to prevent Putin from going farther and reversing the hard-won independence of former Soviet republics. George Packer essentialeuropefar Change image and share on social
The similarities are limited but real. They amount to a shared disgust with politics as usual in America. The Tea Party focuses on the federal government; Occupy Wall Street focuses on corporate America and its influence over the government. George Packer americaamountcorporate share on social
I think the mix of narrative and analysis that the 'New Yorker' requires is a perfect expression of what my parents each gave me. George Packer analysisexpressiongive Change image and share on social
Inequality saps the economy by draining the buying power of Americans whose incomes have stagnated, forcing them to rely on debt to fund education, housing, and health care. George Packer americanbuycare Change image and share on social
When I interviewed Paul Bremer in his office, he had almost no books on his shelves. He had a couple of management books, like 'Leadership' by Rudolph Giuliani. I didn't take it as an encouraging sign. George Packer bookbremercouple share on social
I actually think that self-interest is overrated as an all-purpose guide to political motive. It leaves out something at least as powerful and immovable - individual psychology. George Packer guideimmovableindividual Change image and share on social