Is Democracy dying?

When I was an undergraduate student of history, I studied the bedrock institutions of our democratic governments in Canada, Europe, the United States and elsewhere.  I had great hope in the creation of the United Nations and was young enough and untested enough to believe that they would last and although not perfect, they were strong enough to meet the challenges of days ahead. 

Many years later, we are living through a seismic shift of populist nationalism – in the United States and in many European countries.  Even here in Canada, we are not immune to the anti-immigrant rage.  The conversations are changing and not in a way that is good. It may be the result that we think we are affluent enough that we can put up walls of protectionism closing doors, building walls and turning us against each other.  This is disturbing because that is not the bedrock of our democratic countries.  The challenges of our global world touch every country.  We need leaders to take us into global co-operation.  After all, the future of our one home (our planet) is at stake.

Probably rooted in fear, we may want to turn away because we do not know how to address any perceived ensuring threat.  However, I want to say that we should host more conversations that inspire each other to be inclusive, and practice our active citizenship and celebrate our collective diverse cultures.   Our very lives and our future depends on it.  None of us should opt out!

Sister Joan Atkinson, CSJ

Office for Systemic Justice