We British are disdainful of politics and politicians. Then again, as you may have noticed, we’re disdainful of a lot of things. What’s more surprising is how widespread such disdain is in the United States, an optimistic country with, by global standards, a stunningly successful political system.

How often during this election campaign have you heard people say that the parties are the same, that money has corrupted democracy, that the pols are shysters, that voting doesn’t change anything?