Add Jonathan Haidt to your list of contemporary nonfiction writers that know how to stay on top of topical subjects (Malcolm Gladwell, Michael Lewis, Stephen Dubner, et al.).
In this TED Talk – “The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives” – he introduces an idea that’s become very hot in the last year or two: that the differences between liberals, conservatives, and Libertarians have their basis in fundamental notions of morality. LINK
I have a lot to say on this subject. More to come in future essays…