WHAT are we to make of the tumultuous political changes sweeping our world at this time? With the rise to power of such populist leaders as Putin in Russia, Erdogan in Turkey, Trump in the USA, Modi in India and Duterte in the Philippines, familiar values are being called into question.
Concern for the most vulnerable in society, an internationalist approach to global justice and peace-making, hospitality towards strangers, scrupulous commitment to being truthful, care for the environment – all of these long-cherished values now appear to be in jeopardy.
Deep questions arise about the nature of power and the exercise of power.