Barbarians at the Gates: A Picture of World Politics and Attitudes

Over the past year, the political landscape in Europe has taken a series of twists and turns. Center-right and center-left parties have been "beaten up" by angry voters, the United Kingdom is working on its plans to withdraw from the European Union, and Italy is also skeptical about staying in the huge trade group.

Right-wing parties - some of them openly courting a Nazi philosophy - are on the rise. In Sweden, formally a bastion of progressive social democracy, an extreme-right party made major gains.

What has happened? How did this come to be? And why is it happening in certain countries but not others such as Britain and Portugal? Thereby hangs a tale that, as we watch and listen to our own varieties of news, has as much to say for Americans as it does for Europeans. We get a picture in Europe of "barbarians at the gates", but if we look closer, we might come to the realization that they are our barbarians.

As the U.S. leads in so many aspects of politics and social customs, it is hard not to theorize that the present occupant of the White House has helped create a tolerance for extreme views in different directions.

With the idea of exploring how this dynamic occurs around the world, retired journalist Dr. Conn Hallinan will be the speaker at PASMC'S next meeting, taking place on Sunday evening, October 14. Conn will talk about the shifting political winds on both sides of the Atlantic, and how they affect our country's relationship with both Europe and Russia. Conn is an analyst for Foreign Policy in Focus, which is part of the Institute for Policy Studies.

The October 14 event begins at 7 PM at the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo, 300 E. Santa Inez Avenue in San Mateo. Admission is free, contributions will be welcome. The UUSM is wheelchair accessible.

We hope you'll join us for an interesting look at changing world attitudes and their implications for current politics.

Free, contributions welcome.