In ‘The Deadline,’ Jill Lepore uses her deep historical knowledge to ground the reader in truthful analysis, synthesizing complex ideas into their most digestible form.
US Politics
Posted inArts & Culture, Books
Review: Walter Brueggemann on what the Bible really says about our political culture
In ‘Ancient Echoes,’ the highly respected Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann provides a provocative set of essays that provides a useful treasury of biblical texts potentially relevant to contemporary political discussion.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa has taken Israel to international court on genocide charges. What comes next?
For many in South Africa, there is a symbolic significance in the decision to pursue the genocide charge. In 2024, South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, yet vast injustices still permeate South African society because of its traumatic history.
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
After Christmas attacks on Christians, Nigerian bishops raise concerns of Islamist agenda—and government complicity
As many as 295 people were killed in a series of apparently coordinated raids on some 30 villages in Nigeria’s Plateau State that began on Dec. 23 and continued through Christmas Day.
Posted inOf Many Things, Politics & Society
Trump’s threat to democracy won’t be stopped by court cases alone
Whatever the court decides, Mr. Trump’s brazen refusal to accept the will of the voters or constitutional limits on presidential power still needs to be confronted and rejected.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Is politics bad? It depends on your view of human nature.
The headlines suggest that our political systems are incapable of solving big problems. What if we temper our expectations and realize that politics can bring out both the best and worst of humans?
Posted inFaith, Faith and Reason
Trump, the ‘religious right’ and white Christian nationalism
With an important election coming in 2024, white Christian nationalism is emerging as a serious threat to our democracy.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Want to fix democracy? Learn from the Catholic Church and hold a conclave on Capitol Hill
Congress could learn something from the way cardinals elect popes in conclaves.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
The 7 political works of mercy Catholics should practice in a democracy
The corporal works of mercy have long guided Christians in helping those suffering from poverty and oppression. Politics can also be a holy activity if we pursue certain works of mercy.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Migrants are not ‘just another story’—or just another political football
The notion that the flow of migrants will be stemmed by closing asylum “loopholes” is grotesque. Sometimes it’s hard to believe anyone in Congress sees migrants as human beings.