David Schoenbaum

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Second only to Tocqueville in exploring what makes America American, James Bryce’s “The American Commonwealth” made its debut in 1888. One chapter title in particular sticks with us.

A question asked since 1888: Why can’t great men be president?

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The standardized testing craze — and backlash — brings to mind a forgotten masterpiece, 1958’s “The Rise of the Meritocracy.”

“Meritocracy” and the rise of standardized tests

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Why and how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is more equal than all the others.

The Making of the Modern, Muddled, Middle East

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Generation after generation, in locale after locale, it’s true: When people join the modern world, their kids get piano and violin lessons. 