In the United States we have seen a decline in literacy over the past forty years as the emphasis in education has moved from quality of learning to test taking.   For processes that require a strong grasp of language, many skills and some collecting areas will suffer, books, manuscripts, maps and ephemera among them.  These subjects require both perspective and a strong grasp of language.

 

So one way to view these candidates is about how they value education and critical thinking.

 

In the 19^th century education was understood to be essential to the emerging industrial revolution and nations committed themselves to providing it.  Over the following decades a prosperous middle class emerged.

 

Today the issue is critical thinking and if there is to be a robust middle class and a market for books, manuscripts, maps and ephemera, this skill must be both taught and celebrated.  Democracy needs an educated electorate and of course so do books.