Washington Post political columnist David Broder says that the first issue of Democracy

…is really impressive.

The lead article, by Jedediah Purdy of Duke Law School, explores the demographic trends around the world. It discusses the implications of population decline in Europe and Japan and how the abortion-influenced gender imbalances in China, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan result in a “surplus” of millions of single men in those fragile democracies or authoritarian states.

Purdy ends by suggesting a long-term bargain between Europe and Asia, or maybe between the United States and India, in which the advanced nations pump development money in now, in return for future help in financing their retirees’ pensions.

As Baer and Cherny told me, “this is the kind of idea no politician could put forward now,” but it points to a real problem — and challenges people to think creatively.

Another provocative piece, by Jason Furman of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, focuses on the perverse distributional effects of tax deductions for employer-based health insurance. At present they subsidize the well-to-do and shortchange those struggling to afford health insurance. This article spotlights an important and often-neglected avenue for change whenever Congress decides to get serious about tackling health care in this country.

Read the rest of the column here.