There’s a fascinating profile of Roberto Mangabeira Unger in today’s New York Times. He’s the Brazilian minister for strategic affairs. I enjoyed this snippet:

Some of [president Lula ] da Silva’s top advisers view Mr. Unger as a political wild card, somewhat awkward and eccentric. He speaks Portuguese with a decidedly American accent. During a tour of Africa last summer with the president, Mr. Unger could often be seen engrossed in Milton’s “Paradise Lost.”

I think the world would be a better place if more ministers were engrossed in Paradise Lost.