Letters - 28 October 2011
From political engagement to spiritual language
Political engagement
Janet Quilley’s article (23 September) is correct in emphasising the Quaker statements in the past and in the present, and also the need for ‘advocacy plus.’
Overemphasising the role of politicians is very prevalent, albeit understandable. Any political development is very complex. It involves a myriad of internal and external pressures which are not in the control of even the most powerful politician. It is unlikely that it can be predicted by any politician. Cases in point are the fall of the Berlin Wall; the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor; and the tsunami in Japan. Politicians invariably deal with events retrospectively. A case in point is the Charter of the UN that was negotiated in 1945. Had it been in existence before the Second World War, one might have avoided the upheaval. Also, at present, the secretary of education is simply trying to remedy the large number of failing schools, which came into existence over many years. These are examples where politicians are subject to great uncertainties that are not in their control.
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