My daughter knows the names of the books of the Bible in order. I had no idea until she started reciting them in front of my new friend whom I really didn’t mind impressing.

My choice of school for her has been completely validated.

In a nation-state, politicians derive their legitimacy from the consent of the people. They convince us that they deserve to represent our interests and in return we invest them with power.

In neoliberalism, it goes the opposite way. The people derive their legitimacy from the politicians. Supporting a politician gives them a sense of belonging, importance, a sense of purpose. Politicians no longer have to do anything for the citizens. Lonely, confused citizens are so desperate to feel part of something that they don’t ask for it.