What buildings better re?ect our societies than those that house our governments? Government buildings are dramatic gestures of how cultures perceive themselves. More than this, they are projections of how they wish to be perceived. Thus, throughout history, government buildings have been expressions of strength, of wealth, and of power. Witness the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, or the Palace of Westminster. Then, over time, these values came to be quanti?ed and expressed in new ways, and contemporary architects responded to the challenge in Tokyo, in Brasilia, in Edinburgh, and around the world. Reflections: Government encircles the globe on a journey that places new states alongside antique empires and contrasts palatial parliaments with modern, sustainable municipal structures. The result is a beautiful, compelling & revealing celebration of the most confident statements of national identity. With a foreword by Ivan Harbour, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.