Civics

When I was in High School, Civics (or Government, as the subject was called by an earlier generation) was required for graduation; today, the term refers to more than one car made by Honda. It is sad, but true – the California Department of Education now refers to “Civic Learning”, possibly out of an ill-suppressed need to speak in jargon, but more likely to make sure that ordinary citizens don’t get confused.

If we are ever to end our relentless trudge towards oligarchy (the average net wort...