Summary: It’s not that things are so terribly bad right now, it’s that circumstances have failed to keep up with expectations. So says <a href="https://twitter.com/EdwardGLuce">Edward Luce</a>, chief U.S. columnist for the <a href="https://www.ft.com/"><em>Financial Times</em></a>, whose new book surveys the ensuing crisis of confidence in liberal democracies. Luce’s book is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0802127398/?tag=slatmaga-20"><em>The Retreat of Western Liberalism</em></a>.<br><br>In the Spiel, Bridgegate winds down. <br>Join <strong>Slate Plus</strong>! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at <a href="http://www.slate.com/gistplus">slate.com/gistplus</a>.
