Very well done, Wessie, though I think I disagree. I really liked the point about the importance of anachronism. And the undoing of the British political understanding/constitution (since the English Revolution and in some senses long before) has perhaps proceeded much further than one easily grasps. That said, the fact that this center cannot hold does not mean there will not be a center, that power will not be expressed.
This is one of those cases where I decided to argue against my own instincts. Always an enlivening exercise! Ultimately I think I persuaded myself. But working through the question of how much change our symbols and rituals can incorporate is more interesting than the conclusion. So I was very happy to be able to do that.
"those concerned appear like pigmies parading in boots several sizes too big"—yes.
Very well done, Wessie, though I think I disagree. I really liked the point about the importance of anachronism. And the undoing of the British political understanding/constitution (since the English Revolution and in some senses long before) has perhaps proceeded much further than one easily grasps. That said, the fact that this center cannot hold does not mean there will not be a center, that power will not be expressed.
This is one of those cases where I decided to argue against my own instincts. Always an enlivening exercise! Ultimately I think I persuaded myself. But working through the question of how much change our symbols and rituals can incorporate is more interesting than the conclusion. So I was very happy to be able to do that.