What could be better for the future of American politics than rational problem-solving?

ECONOMIST: A declaration on independents

That was at once a perfectly rational reading of British domestic politics, and a decision that pushed Germany into the arms of the French.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

My hope is that, at least on this issue, we can move beyond politics and return to rational discourse about our previous, current, and future actions in Iraq.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

These are all relatively modest measures. (We centrists always try to balance idealism with realism.) Unfortunately, the larger opportunities for broad tax reform or a grand bargain on long-term deficits and debt are unlikely to come until after the election -- and there's no rational reason to expect that the hyperpartisan politics will end then.

CNN: 3 bipartisan bills that could get the economy moving

However, we also need to consider politics, the usual bugbear of any rational plan.

FORBES: Vodafone and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism

That is, our new economics is terribly useful if we assume that politics and politicians (or even public policy making) can be made rational, perfect and efficient.

FORBES: Traditional Economics And The New Economics

European politics - particularly as they relate to the Middle East - are not informed by rational interests so much as they are defined by attitude.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The rigged game

Euro-zone politics could indeed again bring the euro low, but that is not an option any rational policy maker would choose.

WSJ: Euro's Recovery Not Without Pain for Some