HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

As masterly Alexander Pope proclaimed in An Essay on Man:

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed:

I have received some flak for my Panglossian optimism, believing It'll be Alright on the Night and generally seeing The Sunny Side of the Street, but I am unrepentant and, especially as the New Year dawns, I wish to dispense good cheer to all my readers. In 2017 many of our fondest hopes will be realised, no doubt a few will be disappointed, yet our world will be even better than in 2016.

Voltaire, rationalist creator of optimistic Dr Pangloss

I know that our fate probably depends in part on the antics of the terrible trio of Theresa May, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and some familiar landmarks are probably fading away – Angela Merkel, David Cameron and (at last) Bill and Hillary Clinton. One or two iconic but flawed figures like Fidel Castro, not to mention David Bowie and George Michael, are now history, while lauding the relevance of Jeremy Corbyn and Francois Hollande will strain to breaking point the ingenuity of spin doctors.

Catholic, Muslim and Copt in harmony

  Lifting our eyes from the banalities of politicians and celebrities, what can we dare to hope from 2017?  The top prizes are Toleration, Peace and Progress. Toleration is the blessing conferred on religious, sexual and political minorities throughout the world. Western nations broadly observe this but Chinese and Islamic persecution of Christians appals us. Egypt can be expected to protect her Coptic minority and even Assad gave room to Syria’s scattered and historic Christian communities, now displaced: Buddhist persecution of Royhingya Hindus in Burma or Islamic pogroms of Christians in Aceh, Indonesia or in Northern Nigeria are abhorrent. Strong and enlightened central governments have a vital role to play and Europe and America are good but not perfect. Discrimination of all kinds should be pushed back everywhere in 2017.   

Recent years have seen an upsurge in nationalism, that notorious curse of the 1930s, but often too a strong unifying force. In part this is due to the remoteness and policy errors of supra-national bodies like the EU, the IMF and the UN who tend to ride rough-shod over opposition. There was undoubtedly a nationalistic element in the Brexit decision made sharper by the influx of alien immigrants. The dangers of this element are exaggerated: the British will always be scrupulously fair to those who observe the law.

The pronouncements of Donald Trump on international politics and on trade matters can sound alarming yet the US has a civilised bedrock and an established history of alliance and generosity, which will not be discarded – her self-interest requires no less. The 2016 election delivered a strong Republican government and Congress – let them work together fruitfully and rationally for the benefit of all Americans.

The various groups participating in the dreadful Syrian civil war have fought themselves to a standstill; it is time the Security Council and local players like Turkey and Iran imposed a settlement. This would end this conflict which has sickened the world. The only maniac left to threaten us is Kim-Jong-un of North Korea and a 2017 palace coup there to depose him cannot come too soon. Africa and the Middle East are inherently unstable and we can but hope they will not threaten world peace.

At least we do not live under this charmer!

 The March of Progress is often invisible but remember that every day a clinic opens where none was before, a sickness is overcome or a condition treated where help was once absent. New schools bring literacy and hope to the poorest, new roads open up new horizons, clean water can be a great boon. All these things are apolitical, simply a demonstration that people can live together in harmony, indeed at last in equality too, as women are increasingly given precisely the same opportunities as men.

Closer to home our prosperity will also be shared. A growing British economy, boosted by the Living Wage, slowly closes the earnings gap. Brexit will give us new perspectives and rich opportunities. I hope in 2017 the Remainers cast off their sulks, their gloating at any national misfortune and their sour-pusses – it is unnatural and ugly, as basically they are talented high achievers who simply backed the wrong horse. Their positive contribution could be game-changing. I expect we will know the main features of a deal with the EU or any counter-option during 2017. Let’s get on with it!

Progress is a quicksilver concept upon which few people are in total agreement. To my mind progress consists of better educational attainment at all levels, better nutrition for everyone, 24/7 access to competent medical assistance, a government responsive to its electorate and public money carefully spent to benefit all the people. I expect all those to deliver in 2017 and if in addition the SNP foul up and lose support and Arsenal wins the Premiership, so much the better!

A lot less of this lady, please, in 2017

 

We will face the challenges of 2017 with valiant hearts, clear heads and blithe spirits.

SMD

30.12.16

Text Copyright © Sidney Donald 2016