All The Monitor's View
Can you tally up world progress?The UN’s latest index on human development reveals ‘impressive’ results in well-being. But it also suggests that immeasurable qualities are necessary for progress.
When ex-offenders deserve forgiveness on their recordsWith nearly a third of adults having criminal records, one study looks at the effects of hiding the records of those who don’t reoffend. The results show the need for further work in offering such forgiveness.
For one war-wracked nation, a path to happinessThe world’s least-happiest country, the Central African Republic, is also one of its most fragile, a result of violent civil strife. Yet it is also the focus of an international effort to disarm and reintegrate its armed groups, bringing some hope.
In conflicts, faith leaders must often stay aboveWith Libya falling into violent chaos and foreign diplomacy failing, one report suggests that some local Muslim clerics serve as trusted mediators, able to attract warring parties through moderation and equality.
Global economy finally hums but needs a purr of innovationThe world has struggled for seven years to create steady growth. Now it needs a spigot of ideas and reforms to improve productivity.
The hope needed to end a hunger crisis of historic scaleWith acute food needs in four countries, the UN faces the worst humanitarian crisis in seven decades. The world must assist its most vulnerable, not only with money but efforts for peace in these conflict areas.
World Bank takes on pernicious beliefsIts development report asks why certain harmful beliefs persist and suggests ways to shape people’s preferences to ensure progress. First task: Challenge the idea of power with the power of ideas.
Finding the voice of voters in IndiaAs Western democracies deal with voter rage and populist parties, India’s leader tries to appeal to poor voters by enlisting them in development, even asking them to think differently.
The importance of the Trump-Merkel dialogueAs the US seeks to close itself off, German leader Angela Merkel may ask Trump to join her in embracing a kind of openness that blesses people and nations rather than hurts them. She knows what a closed society looks like.
In a trustless world, where to find qualities of trustWith trust in institutions at a record low worldwide, a good place to look for success in trust-building are companies with the most satisfied employees.
Trump’s ‘travel ban’ – the question of intentA recent Supreme Court ruling sheds light on how much judges should look at possible bias in government decisions. Does Trump’s executive order on travel from six countries single out Muslims as a class?
China’s source of creative growthThe country’s leaders call for more innovation to boost slowing growth in the world’s second-largest economy, yet they show little faith in the creativity of Chinese researchers. Ideas can be discovered wherever there is freedom of thought.
Ukraine’s suit of moral armor against RussiaThe hot conflict in Ukraine has forced that country to seek legal help from the UN’s highest court. In a suit against Russia, it hopes to expose the truth about the Kremlin’s role in the killing of civilians in Ukraine.
The integrity that roils South Korea’s corruptClean prosecutors who honor equality before the law have been key to a probe of high-level corruption from the presidency to Samsung. A stronger democracy is South Korea’s core defense.
An early test of Trump’s ‘America First’ at the UNIn its first confrontation with Russia, the Trump administration stands up for a long-held American value of protecting innocent life in conflicts.
China’s honesty about its whopping debtThe ruling party admits its difficulty in reining in a credit-fueled economy with too many ‘zombie’ firms and a housing bubble. The truthfulness goes halfway toward making reforms than can drain the red ink.
Norway’s model of prudence in oil wealthAs more nations set up funds for the money earned from natural resources or exports, many also adopt principles of transparency and accountability – and a concern for future generations. They should look to Norway, which runs the largest ‘sovereign wealth fund.’
When a famine points to a deeper needThe UN issued its first famine alert in six years, citing starvation in war-torn South Sudan. While food aid is needed, this new African nation needs the reconciliation skills of its church leaders to end a long conflict.
Who decides on US ground combat in Syria?President Trump may soon seek to send foot soldiers to defeat Islamic State quickly in its stronghold. But he first needs buy-in from Congress.
Meeting hate with love in St. LouisThe Muslim-Christian response to the vandalizing of a Jewish cemetery is yet another example of how the three faiths can use love to counter acts of religiously motivated hate and violence.
