Notebooks

Notebooks are snapshots from our writers, reflecting on current affairs and underappreciated aspects of culture and history.

Gin Lane - caricature by William Hogarth, circa 1750.
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Capitalism’s magic ingredient is confidence

Avarice and greed are the foundations of a prosperous society, argued the notorious Anglo-Dutch theorist, Bernard de Mandeville. But the financial system that evolved in eighteenth..

David Wootton March 16, 2023
The illustration shows a throng of people on Wall Street rushing to purchase stocks from trading houses during the Panic of 1907.
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Finance without trust: a perilous business

Banks rely upon trust more than anything else. Without it, the delicate tapestry of banking stands on nothing – and panic ensues.

Samuel Gregg March 15, 2023
The run on the Northern Rock bank in September 2007.
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When banks fail

The collapse — and bailout — of Silicon Valley Bank is part of a cycle of complacency, woven throughout banking history.

Ferdinand Mount March 15, 2023
Moldovan and Gagauz flags fly at the 'Welcome to Gagauzia' sign at border of the autonomous region of Gagauzia.
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The Kremlin has its eyes on Gagauzia

Gagauzia, one of Moldova's poorest and most pro-Russian regions, is ripe for geopolitical meddling.

Luke Coffey March 10, 2023
British poster depicting soldiers and civilians helping the war effort during the First World War
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What is the British Army for?

Recent debates over the British Army tend to fixate on equipment – from procurement headaches to its state of readiness after donating tanks to Ukraine – but the real matter to res..

William D. James March 8, 2023
Aaron Copland
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Fanfare for Ukraine

Aaron Copland’s 'Fanfare for the Common Man', composed in 1942, was dedicated to ordinary Americans' contribution to the fight against fascism. On the eightieth anniversary of its ..

Elisabeth Braw March 7, 2023
The Rainbow bridge, the English National Opera's production Wagner's The Rhinegold, 2023. Credit: The English National Opera.
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The Rhinegold, Wagner’s other comedy 

The ENO's new production of the prelude to the Ring shows British opera houses can raise a chuckle, but they can do serious, too.

Paul Lay March 2, 2023
A bas-relief of the zodiac engraved on the ceiling of the temple of Hathor, Egypt. Credit: Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo.
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Pulling at the threads of astrology

The idea that the microcosm of human lives is connected to the macrocosm of the heavens is one of the most persistent throughout history, and is represented in countless ways in sc..

Garima Garg March 2, 2023
Stalingrad, 1942.
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Putin’s cult of commemoration keeps Russians enslaved

Russians killed in war have long been a state resource, exploited by politicians through the ages – including Vladimir Putin. The opposite is also true; when it is expedient, lead..

Catherine Merridale February 24, 2023

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