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Congressmen in Plato’s Cave

Congressmen in Plato’s Cave

By Peter Leithart

David Brooks has a typically delightful and instructive piece in the current issue of Atlanti c. He points out that over four decades, 49 members of Congress have run for President, and of those exactly 49 have been beaten. The main reason, he says, is that Congressmen live in a political form of “Plato’s cave,” and have little contact with reality; they have contact only with the “shadows” of reality that come to them through lobbyists, other Congressmen, and others who are as obsessed with politics as the politicians are.

Peter Leithart

Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.

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In Medias Res

Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.

Donate

Theopolis is nearly 100% donor-supported. Consider joining us on our mission.