Latest news with #CollegeofWilliam&Mary
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Harrison Ruffin Tyler, grandson of 1840s president, dies at 96
Mr. Tyler suffered a series of small strokes starting in 2012 and was later diagnosed with dementia. In recent years, his son William Bouknight Tyler oversaw the James River plantation that had been his family's ancestral home. Mr. Tyler, a retired businessman, and his older brother, Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr., who died at age 95 in 2020, were sons of Lyon Gardiner Tyler Sr. (1853-1935), a longtime president of the College of William & Mary. Their grandfather was the U.S. president who pushed for the annexation of Texas as American expansion moved west, but he is perhaps best known for the Whig Party's memorable 1840 presidential campaign slogan, 'Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up In a remarkable instance of successive longevities and late-in-life paternities, the Tyler family produced a genealogical marvel, if not a singularity: three generations that spanned nearly the entire history of the American experience. Advertisement Successive longevities over centuries are not uncommon, although they are not easily documented in ordinary families. But that was hardly the case with the former president and his academically distinguished son. And in 2012, when the website Mental Floss reported that two grandsons of President Tyler were still alive, the news -- 'an amazing, seemingly impossible piece of American trivia,' as New York magazine put it -- went viral. Advertisement Yahoo, The Huffington Post, Fox News and Politico all rushed to publish articles. There were interviews with the grandsons, who told of other famous ancestors, including a great-grandfather, John Tyler Sr., born in 1747, who was a roommate of Thomas Jefferson at William & Mary, served in the Continental Army, became governor of Virginia and had eight children, including the future president. 'I heard too much about presidents growing up,' Lyon Gardiner Tyler Jr. told the Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in Dyersburg, Tennessee, in 2013. He recalled family anecdotes about Patrick Henry, Andrew Jackson, Daniel Webster, the American Revolution, the Civil War and, especially, President John Tyler, his grandfather. Born in 1790, less than a year after Washington's first inauguration, John Tyler became the governor of Virginia, a United States representative and a senator. In the election of 1840, the Whig Party chose William Henry Harrison, a former governor of the Indiana Territory and senator from Ohio, as its presidential candidate, and John Tyler as his vice-presidential running mate. Historians say John Tyler, a lifelong slave owner and advocate of states' rights, was selected to balance the ticket and attract Southerners who feared Harrison might harbor abolitionist leanings. Harrison, known as Old Tippecanoe, had led American forces that defeated Native Americans at the Battle of Tippecanoe in Indiana in 1811. The Whigs attacked Martin Van Buren, the Democratic incumbent, with a bandwagon campaign featuring the 'Tippecanoe and Tyler Too' slogan. Harrison and John Tyler won handily and were sworn in on March 4, 1841. But Harrison died of pneumonia after only a month in office. John Tyler, the first vice president to succeed a dead president, quickly took the oath of office, moved into the White House and assumed the full powers of the presidency. Advertisement His claim to the presidency was disputed by many in Congress and never accepted by some, who referred to him as 'His Accidency.' But his forceful grasp of the office set a precedent and served as a model for successions until the issue was clarified by the 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967. John Tyler, who regarded much of the Whig platform as unconstitutional, vetoed legislation and bypassed Whig leaders, who expelled him from the party and tried, unsuccessfully, to impeach him. Most of his Cabinet resigned. His most notable achievement was his advocacy for the annexation of Texas, which became the nation's 28th state in 1845. Robert Seager II, in a 1963 biography, 'And Tyler Too,' called John Tyler 'one of America's most obscure chief executives,' adding, 'His countrymen generally remember him, if they have heard of him at all, as the rhyming end of a catchy campaign slogan.' After leaving the presidency, John Tyler retired to his Virginia plantation and withdrew from politics. When the Civil War began in 1861, he sided with the Confederacy and was elected to the Confederate legislature, but he died in 1862, at age 71, before taking office. He fathered 15 children, the most of any American president, with two wives: Letitia Christian, who died in 1842, and Julia Gardiner, a 24-year-old debutante who married him in 1844, when he was 54. The 13th child, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, who lived to 81, served as president of William & Mary, the nation's second oldest college (chartered in 1693), from 1888 to 1919. He had three children with his first wife, Anne Baker (Tucker) Tyler, who died in 1921. In 1923, he married Sue Ruffin, and they had three more children: Lyon Gardiner Jr., Harrison Ruffin and Henry, who died in infancy. Advertisement Harrison Ruffin Tyler, who was born in Virginia on Nov. 9, 1928, earned a degree in chemistry at William & Mary in 1949 and a chemical engineering degree at Virginia Tech in 1951. In 1968, he was a founder of ChemTreat, an industrial water treatment business. He retired in 2000. Mr. Tyler married Frances Payne Bouknight in 1957; she died in 2019. In addition to their son William, he is survived by their daughter, Julia Gardiner Tyler Samaniego; another son, Harrison Ruffin Tyler Jr.; and eight grandchildren. Mr. Tyler and his wife helped to restore his ancestral home, Sherwood Forest Plantation, a 1,600-acre National Historic Landmark on the James River in Charles City County, Virginia, and lived there for many years. The plantation was built around 1730 and bought by the family in 1842. In 2001, Mr. Tyler donated $5 million and 22,000 books to the College of William & Mary history department, which was renamed in his honor in 2021. In 2012, he told New York magazine that he was not much interested in modern politics. 'Oh, my family's conservative,' he said. 'I served as the chairman of the Republican Party here, but I'm sorry, I've sort of lost interest. They're killing each other, on both sides. The campaigns are just horrible. It has nothing to do with what we really need.' Advertisement This article originally appeared in
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
How to plan the perfect trip to Williamsburg, Virginia
Established in 1699 as the capital of the Virginia colony, Williamsburg is an internationally recognized hub of American colonial history. Its historic center features hundreds of 18th-century buildings along cobblestone streets, presenting a charming juxtaposition of past and present as one of the country's earliest planned cities. Williamsburg forms an integral part of Virginia's Historic Triangle, alongside Jamestown and Yorktown. The city has been the site of pivotal events in American history, from the early discussions leading to the Declaration of Independence to the Civil War's Battle of Williamsburg. It's also home to the College of William & Mary, established in 1693, the nation's second-oldest university. (Related: Historical interpreters share their sides of the story.) Museums and interactive exhibits abound, making history accessible for all who visit. However, Williamsburg isn't just about the past. Its vibrant community, bustling markets, and contemporary dining options make it a multifaceted destination not only for history buffs but also for families, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts. Spring: Notable spring events in Williamsburg include the Annual Garden Symposium, Historic Garden Week, and the Williamsburg Flower & Garden Expo. The city is home to beautiful gardens like the Williamsburg Botanical Garden at Freedom Park and the arboretum and gardens at Colonial Williamsburg, the city's restored and reconstructed historic area that bursts into life with spring flowers, including tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms. Summer: Busch Gardens Williamsburg has more than 50 rides and attractions, including the Loch Ness Monster, the world's first interlocking loop roller coaster, and themed areas inspired by European countries like Germany, France, and Italy. Adjacent to the theme park is Water Country USA, Virginia's largest water park. A favorite for summer family fun, this 43-acre park has various water rides, a wave pool, and the 1,500-foot-long Hubba Hubba Highway lazy river. For a slower-paced water adventure, consider a scenic day or sunset cruise with companies like Yorktown Sailing Charters. Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing shopping district provides free outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings during summer. Autumn: Every October, Williamsburg comes alive with An Occasion for the Arts, which celebrates local visual, culinary, and performing arts. Another festival, the Yorktown Market Days Fall Festival, brings together more than 40 local vendors and provides free, family-friendly activities such as hayrides, pumpkin painting, and a petting zoo with miniature animals. For a spooky experience, several companies like The Original Ghost Tours present eerie tales of Williamsburg's haunted past. Winter: During the holiday season, Busch Gardens transforms into 'Christmas Town,' with more than 10 million lights and special events like the Christmas Town Express and Santa's Workshop. Music lovers can revel in the Winter Blues Jazz Fest at the College of William & Mary. The Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade is perfect for families, featuring live music and boats decorated with Christmas lights. (Related: 11 things to love about Williamsburg.) Merchants Square: Built in the 1920s as one of America's first planned shopping districts, Merchants Squareis the heart of Williamsburg. The area is buzzing all year with events that include art fairs, farmers markets, and holiday celebrations. It has more than 40 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including the historic Kimball Theatre and the Colonial Williamsburg Bookstore. Colonial Williamsburg: This 300-acre living history museum recreates the colonial capital with interpretations of 18th-century life by staff dressed in period attire. Engaging programs, special events, and reenactments, such as historical debates, military drills, and traditional dances, are held throughout the year. Jamestown: Founded in 1607, Jamestown is the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Jamestown Settlement allows visitors to explore life-sized replicas of the settlers' fort, the Powhatan Indian Town, and the three ships that transported English settlers across the Atlantic. Nearby Jamestown Rediscovery at Historic Jamestowne adds an archaeological layer to the visit with ongoing excavations uncovering artifacts and ruins of the original settlement. Yorktown: The town is best known as the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, commemorated in the American Revolution Museum. On Saturday mornings, local vendors at the Yorktown Market Days Food and Artisans Market sell various items, including fresh produce and handmade crafts. Williamsburg Premium Outlets: For a wide range of upscale shops, the Williamsburg Premium Outlets contains more than 120 stores, including high-end brands and popular retail chains like Coach, Kate Spade, and J. Crew. (Related: Unearth hidden gems and unexpected experiences in Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.) Accommodations in Williamsburg range from charming bed-and-breakfasts to modern hotels. Williamsburg Inn: The luxurious colonial-style inn contains 62 stately rooms with period antiques, fine fabrics, and modern amenities. Among the inn's amenities are manicured gardens, outdoor terraces, an upscale spa, fine dining at the Rockefeller Room, and access to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club's championship courses. Kingsmill Resort: Overlooking the James River, this 2,900-acre resort contains various room types ranging from comfortable guest rooms to luxurious riverfront cottages. On-site amenities include the Kingsmill Spa, four restaurants, two championship golf courses, a full-service marina, tennis courts, and three pools. Williamsburg's eclectic restaurant scene offers everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. In Colonial Williamsburg, the historic King's Arms Tavern—an 18th-century reproduction tavern with colonial decor, staff in period attire, and live violin music—serves distinctive dishes such as peanut soup, Cornish hen, and game pie. Food For Thought Restaurant is a quirky dining destination featuring American cuisine alongside thought-provoking quotes, discussion cards on the tables, and biographical pictures of inventors, scientists, and social leaders on the walls. One of the city's top restaurants, Fat Canary, has received the AAA Four Diamond award each year since opening in 2003. The restaurant's menu includes enticing items like crispy Rappahannock oysters, pan-seared duck breast, and ginger shortcake. Another popular spot is The Cheese Shop, known for its extensive selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and house-made sandwiches. Visitors can explore the shop's wine cellar, stocked with more than 4,000 wines. Along Yorktown's waterfront, the Yorktown Pub and the Water Street Grille are fantastic spots for delicious cuisine and scenic views. (Related: 9 foodie favorites in Williamsburg.) On foot: Williamsburg's historic center is a pedestrian-friendly district with numerous dining and entertaining options. While there are multiple benches to rest on, you should wear comfortable shoes to roam freely and take your time taking in the city's historical sights. By bus: Use the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's free Route 15 bus to travel around Colonial Williamsburg. Additional bus and shuttle services, such as the Yorktown Trolley, connect to the Yorktown Battlefield. By car: Although the shuttle services and pedestrian-friendly areas make local travel convenient, renting a car allows you to visit at your pace and can be beneficial for exploring the broader Historic Triangle. For those with an electric vehicle, the city has 69 public charging stations. Wildlife awareness: The 3.5-mile Greensprings Interpretive Trail near Jamestown provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife, including beavers, box turtles, squirrels, and deer. It's also one of Virginia's premier woodland birding destinations. LGBTQ+: While no specific LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood exists in Williamsburg, bars, restaurants, and hotels are very welcoming. Several longstanding organizations like PFLAG can assist in finding local LGBTQ+ events and resources in the area. There is also a Pride Day at Busch Gardens every July. Beach: Yorktown's two-acre public beachfront is ideal for relaxation and recreation. It contains an ADA-accessible pier and is one of the only beaches in the Hampton Roads region with a Mobi-Mat and Mobi Chair. The beach offers free public parking and a complimentary trolley service. (Related: How to explore the wild, wonderful side of Williamsburg.) Outdoors: Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides a wide range of amenities and activities, including biking, boat access, camping, canoe and kayak rentals, and fishing. The park also has a pool, sand volleyball court, basketball half-court, and a splash pad. One of the best ways to explore the region is to bike the 23-mile Colonial Parkway linking Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Part of the National Park Service's Colonial National Historical Park, the iconic parkway is closed for renovations until 2026. Shopping: The city has a variety of eco-friendly shops and independent shops with upcycled and vintage clothing, including Fill Happy. Attending an art festival or local market allows you to connect directly with producers, learn about their inspiration and techniques, and take home unique items that resonate with you. Dining: Look for eco-friendly restaurants, such as Waypoint, which incorporates Chesapeake ingredients, including items grown at local farms and caught in regional waters. Transportation: Limited parking in historic areas can be a challenge. Use the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's free Route 15 bus to travel around Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Trolley. Taryn White is a DC-area travel and food writer and founder of The Trip Wish List, whose work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, and other outlets.
National Geographic
14-04-2025
- National Geographic
How to plan the perfect trip to Williamsburg, Virginia
A fife and drum band perform in Virginia's reconstructed colonial captial of Williamsburg, where American Revolution history is brought to life in the 21st century. A fife and drum band perform in Virginia's reconstructed colonial captial of Williamsburg, where American Revolution history is brought to life in the 21st century. A fife and drum band perform in Virginia's reconstructed colonial captial of Williamsburg, where American Revolution history is brought to life in the 21st century. A fife and drum band perform in Virginia's reconstructed colonial captial of Williamsburg, where American Revolution history is brought to life in the 21st century. This hub of American colonial history features cobblestone streets, botanical gardens, theme parks—and a 300-acre living history museum. Here's our guide to where to stay, what to eat, and what to do. How to plan the perfect trip to Williamsburg, Virginia Established in 1699 as the capital of the Virginia colony, Williamsburg is an internationally recognized hub of American colonial history. Its historic center features hundreds of 18th-century buildings along cobblestone streets, presenting a charming juxtaposition of past and present as one of the country's earliest planned cities. Williamsburg forms an integral part of Virginia's Historic Triangle, alongside Jamestown and Yorktown. The city has been the site of pivotal events in American history, from the early discussions leading to the Declaration of Independence to the Civil War's Battle of Williamsburg. It's also home to the College of William & Mary, established in 1693, the nation's second-oldest university. (Related: Historical interpreters share their sides of the story.) Some tours of Colonial Williamsburg include a carriage ride past historic landmarks like the Governor's Palace. Photograph by Jared Soares, Nat Geo Image Collection Museums and interactive exhibits abound, making history accessible for all who visit. However, Williamsburg isn't just about the past. Its vibrant community, bustling markets, and contemporary dining options make it a multifaceted destination not only for history buffs but also for families, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts. Best time to visit Williamsburg Spring: Notable spring events in Williamsburg include the Annual Garden Symposium, Historic Garden Week, and the Williamsburg Flower & Garden Expo. The city is home to beautiful gardens like the Williamsburg Botanical Garden at Freedom Park and the arboretum and gardens at Colonial Williamsburg, the city's restored and reconstructed historic area that bursts into life with spring flowers, including tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms. Summer: Busch Gardens Williamsburg has more than 50 rides and attractions, including the Loch Ness Monster, the world's first interlocking loop roller coaster, and themed areas inspired by European countries like Germany, France, and Italy. Adjacent to the theme park is Water Country USA, Virginia's largest water park. A favorite for summer family fun, this 43-acre park has various water rides, a wave pool, and the 1,500-foot-long Hubba Hubba Highway lazy river. For a slower-paced water adventure, consider a scenic day or sunset cruise with companies like Yorktown Sailing Charters. Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing shopping district provides free outdoor concerts on Thursday evenings during summer. A costumed interpreter portraying President George Washington speaks to visitors at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va. Interpreters are encouraged to break character to explain the research behind the famous colonists they portray. Photograph by Matt Eich, The New York Times/Redux Autumn: Every October, Williamsburg comes alive with An Occasion for the Arts, which celebrates local visual, culinary, and performing arts. Another festival, the Yorktown Market Days Fall Festival, brings together more than 40 local vendors and provides free, family-friendly activities such as hayrides, pumpkin painting, and a petting zoo with miniature animals. For a spooky experience, several companies like The Original Ghost Tours present eerie tales of Williamsburg's haunted past. Winter: During the holiday season, Busch Gardens transforms into 'Christmas Town,' with more than 10 million lights and special events like the Christmas Town Express and Santa's Workshop. Music lovers can revel in the Winter Blues Jazz Fest at the College of William & Mary. The Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade is perfect for families, featuring live music and boats decorated with Christmas lights. (Related: 11 things to love about Williamsburg.) Key areas to explore in Williamsburg Merchants Square: Built in the 1920s as one of America's first planned shopping districts, Merchants Squareis the heart of Williamsburg. The area is buzzing all year with events that include art fairs, farmers markets, and holiday celebrations. It has more than 40 shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including the historic Kimball Theatre and the Colonial Williamsburg Bookstore. Colonial Williamsburg: This 300-acre living history museum recreates the colonial capital with interpretations of 18th-century life by staff dressed in period attire. Engaging programs, special events, and reenactments, such as historical debates, military drills, and traditional dances, are held throughout the year. Jamestown: Founded in 1607, Jamestown is the site of the first permanent English settlement in North America. The Jamestown Settlement allows visitors to explore life-sized replicas of the settlers' fort, the Powhatan Indian Town, and the three ships that transported English settlers across the Atlantic. Nearby Jamestown Rediscovery at Historic Jamestowne adds an archaeological layer to the visit with ongoing excavations uncovering artifacts and ruins of the original settlement. Visitors can expect to see reenactors wearing tailored 18th-century clothes when visiting the Jamestown Settlement. Photograph by Ira Block, Nat Geo Image Collection A woman demonstrates the Native American technique of using a sea shell to clean deer skin. Photograph by Daniella Nowitz, Nat Geo Image Collection Yorktown: The town is best known as the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, commemorated in the American Revolution Museum. On Saturday mornings, local vendors at the Yorktown Market Days Food and Artisans Market sell various items, including fresh produce and handmade crafts. Williamsburg Premium Outlets: For a wide range of upscale shops, the Williamsburg Premium Outlets contains more than 120 stores, including high-end brands and popular retail chains like Coach, Kate Spade, and J. Crew. (Related: Unearth hidden gems and unexpected experiences in Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.) Where to stay Accommodations in Williamsburg range from charming bed-and-breakfasts to modern hotels. Williamsburg Inn: The luxurious colonial-style inn contains 62 stately rooms with period antiques, fine fabrics, and modern amenities. Among the inn's amenities are manicured gardens, outdoor terraces, an upscale spa, fine dining at the Rockefeller Room, and access to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club's championship courses. Kingsmill Resort: Overlooking the James River, this 2,900-acre resort contains various room types ranging from comfortable guest rooms to luxurious riverfront cottages. On-site amenities include the Kingsmill Spa, four restaurants, two championship golf courses, a full-service marina, tennis courts, and three pools. Taste of Williamsburg Williamsburg's eclectic restaurant scene offers everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine. In Colonial Williamsburg, the historic King's Arms Tavern—an 18th-century reproduction tavern with colonial decor, staff in period attire, and live violin music—serves distinctive dishes such as peanut soup, Cornish hen, and game pie. Food For Thought Restaurant is a quirky dining destination featuring American cuisine alongside thought-provoking quotes, discussion cards on the tables, and biographical pictures of inventors, scientists, and social leaders on the walls. One of the city's top restaurants, Fat Canary, has received the AAA Four Diamond award each year since opening in 2003. The restaurant's menu includes enticing items like crispy Rappahannock oysters, pan-seared duck breast, and ginger shortcake. Another popular spot is The Cheese Shop, known for its extensive selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and house-made sandwiches. Visitors can explore the shop's wine cellar, stocked with more than 4,000 wines. Along Yorktown's waterfront, the Yorktown Pub and the Water Street Grille are fantastic spots for delicious cuisine and scenic views. (Related: 9 foodie favorites in Williamsburg.) Getting around in Williamsburg Located in Colonial Williamsburg, Merchants Square is home to more than 40 shops and restaurants. Photograph by Mark Summerfield, Alamy Stock Photo Merchants Square has art galleries, including this one on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg. Photograph by Mark Summerfield, Alamy Stock Photo On foot: Williamsburg's historic center is a pedestrian-friendly district with numerous dining and entertaining options. While there are multiple benches to rest on, you should wear comfortable shoes to roam freely and take your time taking in the city's historical sights. By bus: Use the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's free Route 15 bus to travel around Colonial Williamsburg. Additional bus and shuttle services, such as the Yorktown Trolley, connect to the Yorktown Battlefield. By car: Although the shuttle services and pedestrian-friendly areas make local travel convenient, renting a car allows you to visit at your pace and can be beneficial for exploring the broader Historic Triangle. For those with an electric vehicle, the city has 69 public charging stations. Here's what you should know Wildlife awareness: The 3.5-mile Greensprings Interpretive Trail near Jamestown provides an excellent opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can spot a variety of wildlife, including beavers, box turtles, squirrels, and deer. It's also one of Virginia's premier woodland birding destinations. LGBTQ+: While no specific LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood exists in Williamsburg, bars, restaurants, and hotels are very welcoming. Several longstanding organizations like PFLAG can assist in finding local LGBTQ+ events and resources in the area. There is also a Pride Day at Busch Gardens every July. Beach: Yorktown's two-acre public beachfront is ideal for relaxation and recreation. It contains an ADA-accessible pier and is one of the only beaches in the Hampton Roads region with a Mobi-Mat and Mobi Chair. The beach offers free public parking and a complimentary trolley service. (Related: How to explore the wild, wonderful side of Williamsburg.) How to visit Williamsburg sustainably Outdoors: Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides a wide range of amenities and activities, including biking, boat access, camping, canoe and kayak rentals, and fishing. The park also has a pool, sand volleyball court, basketball half-court, and a splash pad. One of the best ways to explore the region is to bike the 23-mile Colonial Parkway linking Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. Part of the National Park Service's Colonial National Historical Park, the iconic parkway is closed for renovations until 2026. Shopping: The city has a variety of eco-friendly shops and independent shops with upcycled and vintage clothing, including Fill Happy. Attending an art festival or local market allows you to connect directly with producers, learn about their inspiration and techniques, and take home unique items that resonate with you. Dining: Look for eco-friendly restaurants, such as Waypoint, which incorporates Chesapeake ingredients, including items grown at local farms and caught in regional waters. Transportation: Limited parking in historic areas can be a challenge. Use the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority's free Route 15 bus to travel around Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown Trolley. Taryn White is a DC-area travel and food writer and founder of Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, and other outlets. is a DC-area travel and food writer and founder of The Trip Wish List , whose work has appeared in, and other outlets.
Atlantic
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Atlantic
One Word Describes Trump
What exactly is Donald Trump doing? Since taking office, he has reduced his administration's effectiveness by appointing to essential agencies people who lack the skills and temperaments to do their jobs. His mass firings have emptied the civil service of many of its most capable employees. He has defied laws that he could just as easily have followed (for instance, refusing to notify Congress 30 days before firing inspectors general). He has disregarded the plain language of statutes, court rulings, and the Constitution, setting up confrontations with the courts that he is likely to lose. Few of his orders have gone through a policy-development process that helps ensure they won't fail or backfire—thus ensuring that many will. In foreign affairs, he has antagonized Denmark, Canada, and Panama; renamed the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America'; and unveiled a Gaz-a-Lago plan. For good measure, he named himself chair of the Kennedy Center, as if he didn't have enough to do. Even those who expected the worst from his reelection (I among them) expected more rationality. Today, it is clear that what has happened since January 20 is not just a change of administration but a change of regime —a change, that is, in our system of government. But a change to what? Graeme Wood: Germany's anti-extremist firewall is collapsing There is an answer, and it is not classic authoritarianism—nor is it autocracy, oligarchy, or monarchy. Trump is installing what scholars call patrimonialism. Understanding patrimonialism is essential to defeating it. In particular, it has a fatal weakness that Democrats and Trump's other opponents should make their primary and relentless line of attack. Last year, two professors published a book that deserves wide attention. In The Assault on the State: How the Global Attack on Modern Government Endangers Our Future, Stephen E. Hanson, a government professor at the College of William & Mary, and Jeffrey S. Kopstein, a political scientist at UC Irvine, resurface a mostly forgotten term whose lineage dates back to Max Weber, the German sociologist best known for his seminal book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Weber wondered how the leaders of states derive legitimacy, the claim to rule rightfully. He thought it boiled down to two choices. One is rational legal bureaucracy (or 'bureaucratic proceduralism'), a system in which legitimacy is bestowed by institutions following certain rules and norms. That is the American system we all took for granted until January 20. Presidents, federal officials, and military inductees swear an oath to the Constitution, not to a person. The other source of legitimacy is more ancient, more common, and more intuitive—'the default form of rule in the premodern world,' Hanson and Kopstein write. 'The state was little more than the extended 'household' of the ruler; it did not exist as a separate entity.' Weber called this system 'patrimonialism' because rulers claimed to be the symbolic father of the people—the state's personification and protector. Exactly that idea was implied in Trump's own chilling declaration: 'He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.' In his day, Weber thought that patrimonialism was on its way to history's scrap heap. Its personalized style of rule was too inexpert and capricious to manage the complex economies and military machines that, after Bismarck, became the hallmarks of modern statehood. Unfortunately, he was wrong. Patrimonialism is less a form of government than a style of governing. It is not defined by institutions or rules; rather, it can infect all forms of government by replacing impersonal, formal lines of authority with personalized, informal ones. Based on individual loyalty and connections, and on rewarding friends and punishing enemies (real or perceived), it can be found not just in states but also among tribes, street gangs, and criminal organizations. In its governmental guise, patrimonialism is distinguished by running the state as if it were the leader's personal property or family business. It can be found in many countries, but its main contemporary exponent—at least until January 20, 2025—has been Vladimir Putin. In the first portion of his rule, he ran the Russian state as a personal racket. State bureaucracies and private companies continued to operate, but the real governing principle was Stay on Vladimir Vladimirovich's good side … or else. Seeking to make the world safe for gangsterism, Putin used propaganda, subversion, and other forms of influence to spread the model abroad. Over time, the patrimonial model gained ground in states as diverse as Hungary, Poland, Turkey, and India. Gradually (as my colleague Anne Applebaum has documented), those states coordinated in something like a syndicate of crime families—'working out problems,' write Hanson and Kopstein in their book, 'divvying up the spoils, sometimes quarreling, but helping each other when needed. Putin in this scheme occupied the position of the capo di tutti capi, the boss of bosses.' Until now. Move over, President Putin. To understand the source of Trump's hold on power, and its main weakness, one needs to understand what patrimonialism is not. It is not the same as classic authoritarianism. And it is not necessarily antidemocratic. Patrimonialism's antithesis is not democracy; it is bureaucracy, or, more precisely, bureaucratic proceduralism. Classic authoritarianism—the sort of system seen in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union—is often heavily bureaucratized. When authoritarians take power, they consolidate their rule by creating structures such as secret police, propaganda agencies, special military units, and politburos. They legitimate their power with legal codes and constitutions. Orwell understood the bureaucratic aspect of classic authoritarianism; in 1984, Oceania's ministries of Truth (propaganda), Peace (war), and Love (state security) are the regime's most characteristic (and terrifying) features. By contrast, patrimonialism is suspicious of bureaucracies; after all, to exactly whom are they loyal? They might acquire powers of their own, and their rules and processes might prove obstructive. People with expertise, experience, and distinguished résumés are likewise suspect because they bring independent standing and authority. So patrimonialism stocks the government with nonentities and hacks, or, when possible, it bypasses bureaucratic procedures altogether. When security officials at USAID tried to protect classified information from Elon Musk's uncleared DOGE team, they were simply put on leave. Patrimonial governance's aversion to formalism makes it capricious and even whimsical—such as when the leader announces, out of nowhere, the renaming of international bodies of water or the U.S. occupation of Gaza. Also unlike classic authoritarianism, patrimonialism can coexist with democracy, at least for a while. As Hanson and Kopstein write, 'A leader may be democratically elected but still seek to legitimate his or her rule patrimonially. Increasingly, elected leaders have sought to demolish bureaucratic administrative states ('deep states,' they sometimes call them) built up over decades in favor of rule by family and friends.' India's Narendra Modi, Hungary's Viktor Orbán, and Trump himself are examples of elected patrimonial leaders—and ones who have achieved substantial popular support and democratic legitimacy. Once in power, patrimonialists love to clothe themselves in the rhetoric of democracy, like Elon Musk justifying his team's extralegal actions as making the 'unelected fourth unconstitutional branch of government' be 'responsive to the people.' Nonetheless, as patrimonialism snips the government's procedural tendons, it weakens and eventually cripples the state. Over time, as it seeks to embed itself, many leaders attempt the transition to full-blown authoritarianism. 'Electoral processes and constitutional norms cannot survive long when patrimonial legitimacy begins to dominate the political arena,' write Hanson and Kopstein. Even if authoritarianism is averted, the damage that patrimonialism does to state capacity is severe. Governments' best people leave or are driven out. Agencies' missions are distorted and their practices corrupted. Procedures and norms are abandoned and forgotten. Civil servants, contractors, grantees, corporations, and the public are corrupted by the habit of currying favor. To say, then, that Trump lacks the temperament or attention span to be a dictator offers little comfort. He is patrimonialism's perfect organism. He recognizes no distinction between what is public and private, legal and illegal, formal and informal, national and personal. 'He can't tell the difference between his own personal interest and the national interest, if he even understands what the national interest is,' John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in Trump's first term, told The Bulwark. As one prominent Republican politician recently told me, understanding Trump is simple: 'If you're his friend, he's your friend. If you're not his friend, he's not your friend.' This official chose to be Trump's friend. Otherwise, he said, his job would be nearly impossible for the next four years. Patrimonialism explains what might otherwise be puzzling. Every policy the president cares about is his personal property. Trump dropped the federal prosecution of New York City Mayor Eric Adams because a pliant big-city mayor is a useful thing to have. He broke with 50 years of practice by treating the Justice Department as ' his personal law firm.' He treats the enforcement of duly enacted statutes as optional—and, what's more, claims the authority to indemnify lawbreakers. He halted proceedings against January 6 thugs and rioters because they are on his side. His agencies screen hires for loyalty to him rather than to the Constitution. In Trump's world, federal agencies are shut down on his say-so without so much as a nod to Congress. Henchmen with no statutory authority barge into agencies and take them over. A loyalist who had only ever managed two small nonprofits is chosen for the hardest management job in government. Conflicts of interest are tolerated if not outright blessed. Prosecutors and inspectors general are fired for doing their job. Thousands of civil servants are converted to employment at the president's will. Former officials' security protection is withdrawn because they are disloyal. The presidency itself is treated as a business opportunity. et when Max Weber saw patrimonialism as obsolete in the era of the modern state, he was not daydreaming. As Hanson and Kopstein note, 'Patrimonial regimes couldn't compete militarily or economically with states led by expert bureaucracies.' They still can't. Patrimonialism suffers from two inherent and in many cases fatal shortcomings. The first is incompetence. 'The arbitrary whims of the ruler and his personal coterie continually interfere with the regular functioning of state agencies,' write Hanson and Kopstein. Patrimonial regimes are 'simply awful at managing any complex problem of modern governance,' they write. 'At best they supply poorly functioning institutions, and at worst they actively prey on the economy.' Already, the administration seems bent on debilitating as much of the government as it can. Some examples of incompetence, such as the reported firing of staffers who safeguard nuclear weapons and prevent bird flu, would be laughable if they were not so alarming. Eventually, incompetence makes itself evident to the voting public without needing too much help from the opposition. But helping the public understand patrimonialism's other, even greater vulnerability—corruption—requires relentless messaging. Patrimonialism is corrupt by definition, because its reason for being is to exploit the state for gain—political, personal, and financial. At every turn, it is at war with the rules and institutions that impede rigging, robbing, and gutting the state. We know what to expect from Trump's second term. As Larry Diamond of Stanford University's Hoover Institution said in a recent podcast, 'I think we are going to see an absolutely staggering orgy of corruption and crony capitalism in the next four years unlike anything we've seen since the late 19th century, the Gilded Age.' (Francis Fukuyama, also of Stanford, replied: 'It's going to be a lot worse than the Gilded Age.') They weren't wrong. 'In the first three weeks of his administration,' reported the Associated Press, 'President Donald Trump has moved with brazen haste to dismantle the federal government's public integrity guardrails that he frequently tested during his first term but now seems intent on removing entirely.' The pace was eye-watering. Over the course of just a couple of days in February, for example, the Trump administration: gutted enforcement of statutes against foreign influence, thus, according to the former White House counsel Bob Bauer, reducing 'the legal risks faced by companies like the Trump Organization that interact with government officials to advance favorable conditions for business interests shared with foreign governments, and foreign-connected partners and counterparties'; suspended enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, further reducing, wrote Bauer, 'legal risks and issues posed for the Trump Organization's engagements with government officials both at home and abroad'; fired, without cause, the head of the government's ethics office, a supposedly independent agency overseeing anti-corruption rules and financial disclosures for the executive branch; fired, also without cause, the inspector general of USAID after the official reported that outlay freezes and staff cuts had left oversight 'largely nonoperational.' By that point, Trump had already eviscerated conflict-of-interest rules, creating, according to Bauer, 'ample space for foreign governments, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to work directly with the Trump Organization or an affiliate within the framework of existing agreements in ways highly beneficial to its business interests.' He had fired inspectors general in 19 agencies, without cause and probably illegally. One could go on—and Trump will. Corruption is patrimonialism's Achilles' heel because the public understands it and doesn't like it. It is not an abstraction like 'democracy' or 'Constitution' or 'rule of law.' It conveys that the government is being run for them, not for you. The most dire threat that Putin faced was Alexei Navalny's ' ceaseless crusade ' against corruption, which might have brought down the regime had Putin not arranged for Navalny's death in prison. In Poland, the liberal opposition booted the patrimonialist Law and Justice Party from power in 2023 with an anti-corruption narrative. In the United States, anyone seeking evidence of the power of anti-corruption need look no further than Republicans' attacks against Jim Wright and Hillary Clinton. In Clinton's case, Republicans and Trump bootstrapped a minor procedural violation (the use of a private server for classified emails) into a world-class scandal. Trump and his allies continually lambasted her as the most corrupt candidate ever. Sheer repetition convinced many voters that where there was smoke, there must be fire. Even more on point is Newt Gingrich's successful campaign to bring down Democratic House Speaker Jim Wright—a campaign that ended Wright's career, launched Gingrich's, and paved the way for the Republicans' takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. In the late 1980s, Wright was a congressional titan and Gingrich an eccentric backbencher, but Gingrich had a plan. 'I'll just keep pounding and pounding on his [Wright's] ethics,' he said in 1987. 'There comes a point where it comes together and the media takes off on it, or it dies.' Gingrich used ethics complaints and relentless public messaging (not necessarily fact-based) to brand Wright and, by implication, the Democrats as corrupt. 'In virtually every speech and every interview, he attacked Wright,' John M. Barry wrote in Politico. 'He told his audiences to write letters to the editor of their local newspapers, to call in on talk shows, to demand answers from their local members of Congress in public meetings. In his travels, he also sought out local political and investigative reporters or editorial writers, and urged them to look into Wright. And Gingrich routinely repeated, 'Jim Wright is the most corrupt speaker in the 20th century.'' Today, Gingrich's campaign offers the Democrats a playbook. If they want to undermine Trump's support, this model suggests that they should pursue a relentless, strategic, and thematic campaign branding Trump as America's most corrupt president. Almost every development could provide fodder for such attacks, which would connect corruption not with generalities like the rule of law but with kitchen-table issues. Higher prices? Crony capitalism! Cuts to popular programs? Payoffs for Trump's fat-cat clients! Tax cuts? A greedy raid on Social Security! The best objection to this approach (perhaps the only objection, at this point) is that the corruption charge won't stick against Trump. After all, the public has been hearing about his corruption for years and has priced it in or just doesn't care. Besides, the public believes that all politicians are corrupt anyway. But driving a strategic, coordinated message against Trump's corruption is exactly what the opposition has not done. Instead, it has reacted to whatever is in the day's news. By responding to daily fire drills and running in circles, it has failed to drive any message at all. Also, it is not quite true that the public already knows Trump is corrupt and doesn't care. Rather, because he seems so unfiltered, he benefits from a perception that he is authentic in a way that other politicians are not, and because he infuriates elites, he enjoys a reputation for being on the side of the common person. Breaking those perceptions can determine whether his approval rating is above 50 percent or below 40 percent, and politically speaking, that is all the difference in the world. Do the Democrats need a positive message of their own? Sure, they should do that work. But right now, when they are out of power and Trump is the capo di tutti capi, the history of patrimonial rule suggests that their most effective approach will be hammering home the message that he is corrupt. One thing is certain: He will give them plenty to work with.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Duolingo Owl Is Dead — And One Star Is Particularly Sad
Duo the Duolingo owl's life may be over, but his memory lives on. The popular language app announced the death of its mascot on Tuesday, prompting both grief and relief from aspiring language learners across the world. 'It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead,' the company shared in a statement on social media. Suggesting foul (fowl?) play may have led to the avian avatar's tragic end, Duolingo added, 'Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death and we are cooperating fully.' 'Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know,' the announcement continued. While memorializing its mascot, the app acknowledged many people's disdain for its dearly departed Duo, who was known for his persistent, often desperate and at times passive-aggressive lesson reminders. an important message from Duolingo — Duolingo (@duolingo) February 11, 2025 'We're aware he had many enemies, but we kindly ask that you refrain from sharing why you hate him in the comments,' Duolingo's statement went on. 'If you feel inclined to share, please also include your credit card number so we can automatically sign you up for Duolingo Max in his memory.' 'We appreciate you respecting Dua Lipa's privacy at this time,' it concluded. After getting name-checked, the 'One Kiss' singer had to pay her respects to her longtime friend. 'Til' death duo part,' she wrote in a repost on X. While Duo may have had a hard time convincing some users to commit to their language lessons, business experts have called the company's commitment to the character a masterclass in marketing. Matt Williams, a visiting professor at the College of William & Mary, told NPR, 'They've done an amazing job at doing what brands are all trying to do, which is creating a personality that breaks through this hugely cluttered media landscape that we live in, that people either love or hate. 'And that polarization is part of the point because that's what gets people talking about this,' he added. Duolingo Sees 216% Jump In Mandarin Learners As TikTok Users Migrate To RedNote Dua Lipa's WTF Diet Coke Recipe Could Be The Drink Of Your Nightmares You Can Now Learn A 'Game Of Thrones' Language For Free On Duolingo
