All The Monitor's View
- Germany's test of generosity and identity
After welcoming 1 million fleeing people, Germans now struggle to integrate them. They are being forced to look deep at what binds their country.
- An express lesson for Wells Fargo and other banks
Reform of the world financial system since 2008 has made it stronger, yet a massive scandal at Wells Fargo highlights the ongoing need to build ethical resilience into the industry.
- A judge’s insight on how to care for students
A Connecticut judge orders reform of the state’s public schools to help poor students. But unlike similar court rulings, he focuses less on money and more on how to achieve student success. Other states should take notice.
- Reason to pause on pot legalization
In Colorado, the first state to start selling legal marijuana, an anti-pot rebellion has begun in Pueblo County. Other states that will vote on legalization in November should take notice.
- For those who paint dark futures, the past offers a different palette
Nearly half of Americans see no hope of a better future, a mood that politicians easily prey on. Yet new books by scholars comb history to show why progress in ideas marches on.
- A hard lesson for China’s soft power
An election in Hong Kong shows how much Beijing must improve on being a power known for attractive ideals, not its coercion of others.
- Poor democracies that aren't poor in demanding honesty
In ousting a president who symbolized a corrupt elite, Brazil joins many other developing nations whose citizens have demanded honesty in elected government. Brazil can take lessons from anti-graft successes in India, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
- Goodnight, pre-K gap
A study pops an inequality myth in finding American kids are not only better prepared for early schooling but those from lower-income or minority homes saw a reduced gap with white kids. One probable cause: better qualities of character.
- Iraq’s opportunity in the battle for Mosul
As Iraq prepares to retake its second-largest city from Islamic State, it can use the expected victory to renew efforts to restore an historic harmony between Sunnis and Shiites.
- Europe’s post-Brexit identity search
A Sept. 16 summit of the remaining EU leaders must start a deep search for what binds the European Union other than economic convenience and preventing war and atrocities.
- Britain’s audit of injustice
A society’s first step to reduce inequality is to make sure government provides services without bigotry. Britain’s new prime minister is trying a novel approach: an audit of government injustice.
- How humility won Colombia’s peace deal
As Colombians prepare to vote on a carefully crafted peace proposal that would end a long war, they must remember how each side in the talks had to learn humility, helped along by a focus on those who suffered most in the war.
- Muslims and Europe, swimming chic by chic
Bans in France on wearing ‘burkini’ swimwear only alienates Muslims. Europe must find better ways to encourage integration, not feed into Islamic State’s playbook.
- A jihadist’s cultural redemption
A former leader in an Al Qaeda affiliate admits guilt – and regret – in a world court for destroying ancient artifacts in Timbuktu, Mali. His advice to jihadists: Save all of humanity’s cherished culture rather than destroy it.
- Pulling kids from war’s rubble
Global reaction to children in conflicts – as soldiers, refugees, or among the injured – has improved as more nations presume innocence for the youngest and most vulnerable.
- A new approach to ending terrorism
In a TV speech, Morocco’s king appeals to the millions of Moroccans living in the West to counter the false arguments of Islamic State that might appeal to disaffected young Muslims and lead them to violent acts.
- Fishing for peace in Asian waters
A court ruling against China’s claims on islands has helped fuel military tensions in Asia. To get off the path to conflict, the region must pursue its common interests, starting with fisheries.
- Kids today, what do they know? Turns out, a lot
Fewer young people are engaging in risky behavior than only a quarter century ago. Why this moral shift in the next generation?
- Who says voters are ‘polarized’?
A study of voters who read news articles about political polarization finds they tend to soften their views. Democracy relies less on division than a respect among fellow citizens.
- Refugee team adds luster to the Olympic ideal
Ten athletes forced to flee their homelands have sent an inspiring message to the world