Mr Cotterill indeed talks sense, but sadly I'm pessimistic about the willingness of any groups of politicians to put aside partisan views and agree on almost anything. It could work if we're right at the brink of a dystopian catastrophe with nowhere to go . . .
You are spot-on about the myths and stories that inform a country's culture. However our present experience seems to tell us that when a country has several conflicting cultures clamouring for expression, that simply leads to division and they who shout loudest win the day.
Having sounded such a negative note I have to say that I don't have any answers - I wish I did. Perhaps it's a consequence of having just read Why War? by historian Richard Overy, an excellent overview of the motivations contributing to warfare made by evolutionary biology, psychology, anthropology, ecology and social science. Not an easy or cheerful read but most illuminating.
Good stuff, thank you.
Mr Cotterill indeed talks sense, but sadly I'm pessimistic about the willingness of any groups of politicians to put aside partisan views and agree on almost anything. It could work if we're right at the brink of a dystopian catastrophe with nowhere to go . . .
You are spot-on about the myths and stories that inform a country's culture. However our present experience seems to tell us that when a country has several conflicting cultures clamouring for expression, that simply leads to division and they who shout loudest win the day.
Having sounded such a negative note I have to say that I don't have any answers - I wish I did. Perhaps it's a consequence of having just read Why War? by historian Richard Overy, an excellent overview of the motivations contributing to warfare made by evolutionary biology, psychology, anthropology, ecology and social science. Not an easy or cheerful read but most illuminating.
Thanks Aroha - I am gathering material for developing these themes in future posts next month
Thanks Aroha. There will be developments on this theme in forthcoming posts next month