Why the monarchy matters
The monarchy is an anachronism, yet it thrived under Elizabeth II. That holds lessons for her successor and for democracies elsewhere
The monarchy is an anachronism, yet it thrived under Elizabeth II. That holds lessons for her successor and for democracies elsewhere

Reflections on the end of a royal era, and the ascent of King Charles III
Regardless of whether one identifies as royalist or republican, it’s virtually impossible to dispute the global significance of Queen Elizabeth II, who died last week aged 96
For years, Democrats have worried about the prospect of a more disciplined heir to Trump. In Florida’s pugilistic governor, that candidate may have arrived.
“I try to write from the point of view,” the musician and writer Nick Cave says, “that something can happen to your life that is absolutely shattering that can also be redemptive and beautiful.” He came to this perspective through fire. In 2015, Cave’s 15-year-old son, Arthur, died after falling from a cliff near the family’s home in Brighton, England.
The magazine’s Ethicist on speaking up for a member of the household — when it’s a pet.
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the death of Elizabeth II marks the end of an era. Also, why Jair Bolsonaro poses a threat to Brazilian democracy (11:15), and Europe’s energy market in crisis (19:12).

Columbia law professors Olatunde Johnson and Carol Sanger assess a momentous Supreme Court decision

In this Education Issue, Sarah Viren on a campus clash in a multicultural center that became a viral nightmare for Arizona State University; Daniel Bergner on a superintendent in northern Michigan who spoke up about race in a politically divided school district; Erika Hayasaki on book bans in Texas town; Charley Locke on the $190 billion Covid windfall for schools; and more.

Queen Elizabeth II’s seven-decade reign has come to an end.
By Françoise Mouly, Art by Malika Favre
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, at the age of ninety-six. During her seventy-year-long reign, the Queen presided over the dissolution of the British Empire. She was there for the creation of the European Union—and for Brexit. She was there for Churchill, for Thatcher, and, just last Tuesday, she was there to shake hands with the incoming Conservative Prime Minister, Liz Truss. On the cover of the September 19th issue, the artist Malika Favre, who lived in London for sixteen years, captures the indelible association between Britain and its longtime monarch.
The new prime minister must eschew pantomime radicalism if she is to succeed. The sceptics have many reasons to be dubious—yet underestimating Liz Truss is a mistake her opponents have already made to their cost.
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week, the disunited states of America, why Britain can’t build (9:15) and Pakistan’s worst floods in recent memory (17:05).

The artist discusses canine stars, his first trip abroad, and keeping a sense of the spontaneous in his work.