Whatever you think of guard rails, they’re supposed to keep us safe. But what’s the point if the man soon to occupy the most powerful office in the world (for a second time) has been credibly accused of sexual abuse and is a convicted felon? If the rule you followed brought you to this, Cormac McCarthy once wrote, of what use was the rule?

Donald Trump’s re-ascendancy is the story of the year, and closes the book on what already feels a faded era. One where political and business figures nodded towards a consensus, and avoiding shame was a powerful motivator. Where investors convinced us to sacrifice returns for lofty social goals, and shareholders shared primacy with stakeholders.