Alan Greenspan understood power and was not afraid to wield it

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Democracy Dies in Darkness

Opinion

The former Fed chairman’s style offers a lesson in how Washington functions and how institutions grow.

Alan Greenspan in his downtown D.C. offices in 2008. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

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When he was in his heyday — when all of Washington seemed to hang on his advice — Alan Greenspan imagined Congress inventing a new game, called Zipswitch, and inviting him to preside. “What? I don’t know what the rules are,” Greenspan envisioned himself objecting; but Congress would insist, so convinced were lawmakers of his omniscience.

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