Élites of all types exert influence on society, and therefore on government and policy. In a period of disruption, such as now, can we expect — and do we need — the stabilizing resurrection of traditionally-respected figures of influence to calm the transition?
And what does that mean for the next era of strategic alliances? A new NATO? A new period of diminished cooperation between the US and Mexico, the US and European NATO, and so on?
Perhaps the “experiment” in universal, forced literacy, has been a failure, an historical blip. Literacy is in retreat because of technology and because inquiring minds challenge leadership patterns. Yet intellectual capacity— signified by literacy— determines strategic success. What is to be done?
