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
It's a cliche that the Senate is broken, and like most cliches, it's true. George Packer breakclichesenate Change image and share on social
American wars in Muslim countries created some extremists and inflamed many more while producing a security vacuum that allowed them to wreak mayhem. George Packer allowamericancountry 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
Al Qaeda asks its recruits to establish their bona fides as a condition of membership, even requiring answers to a long questionnaire. But ISIS has democratized and globalized jihad by lowering the entry bar to an eve-of-destruction YouTube pledge of allegiance to the caliphate - and even that could probably be waived. George Packer allegianceanswerask share on social
In its lowest, most common form, inspiration is simple charisma that becomes magnified by the media, as with Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton. George Packer billcharismaclinton Change image and share on social
Obama is the splendid fruit of a meritocracy. George Packer fruitmeritocracyobama Change image and share on social
I don't think they need to be nice to reporters, but the White House seems to imagine that releasing information is like a tap that can be turned on and off at their whim. George Packer houseimagineinformation Change image and share on social
The base of the party, the middle-aged white working class, has suffered at least as much as any demographic group because of globalization, low-wage immigrant labor, and free trade. Trump sensed the rage that flared from this pain and made it the fuel of his campaign. George Packer agebasecampaign 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