More Mansfield

In his weekly newsletter “Kristol Clear,” The Scrapbook’s boss alerts readers to “a two-part essay by Harvey Mansfield in the fine magazine City Journal. Mansfield’s topic is ‘Our Parties,’ with Part I on ‘The Democrats: how progress became drift,’ and Part II on ‘The Republicans: party of virtue.’ And as an introduction to these challenging but very rewarding pieces, or as a tide-me-over until you have the leisure to read them, I’m happy to present a new conversation with Harvey Mansfield [available at conversationswithbillkristol.org]. In it, Mansfield considers our two major parties, the ideas behind them, and the qualities that often go with being a Democrat or a Republican. Mans-field argues that the Democrats are the ‘party of progress’—and that progressivism may be headed for a crisis. Mansfield calls the Republicans the ‘party of virtue’ and suggests the challenges that brings to the GOP.”