2017
December
27
Wednesday

Monitor Daily Podcast

December 27, 2017
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It’s rare that a single word serves as a precise societal mirror. But this year’s most looked-up word in the United States, according to Merriam-Webster, does a pretty good job. It’s feminism.

What does that word say about America in 2017?

The spike in searches started in January with the Women’s March on Washington and the debate over whether it was a liberal “feminist” march – or for women of all political stripes.

You may recall that women constitute slightly more than half of the population but hold only 20 percent of the seats in the US Congress. But this year, we saw a stirring of determination as women decided they could be political problem-solvers. That’s fueled a record number of women (417, mostly Democrats) who are now officially running for Congress.

Since October, we’ve also seen a wave of women challenging concepts of manhood by publicly exposing sexual harassment and abuse, forcing dozens of high-profile men to step down.

Merriam-Webster defines feminism as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.” In 2017, you and I witnessed gender equity go well beyond theory. And we saw feminism manifested as leadership, courage, and integrity. It makes you wonder what 2018 will bring.

Now to the five stories we’ve selected today that show justice, progress, and empathy at work.


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Today’s stories

And why we wrote them

KCNA/Reuters
Party and nation citations are presented to scientists, technicians, and workers who contributed to the successful launch of intercontinental ballistic rockets in this photo released by North Korea's Central News Agency in Pyongyang Dec.13.

We’ve seen a lot of attention this year on North Korea’s quest for greater security via long-range missiles and nuclear bombs. But this story notes that the “hermit kingdom” is also quietly taking that effort under the sea.

In recent years, fewer states have carried out the ultimate punishment for illegal behavior: the death penalty. If you want to understand what’s driving that judicial trend and shifting moral attitudes, what better place than Harris County in Texas?

The Sunni-Shiite balance of power has shifted dramatically in Iraq. Some Sunnis see it as a calamity. Others see it as an opportunity to make progress on unifying a nation that has long been marked by ethnic and religious divisions.

Our next story goes beyond the sad statistics to paint a moving portrait of a young female soccer star, who, like so many other Africans, chose to leave home. Part of what drew us to this story is that it’s told from the perspective of those left behind.

Sara Miller Llana/The Christian Science Monitor
Pilar Fraile says sales of 'jamón ibérico' are down this holiday season because prices are up by 20 percent from last holiday season.

Holiday meals often evoke warm memories or feelings. But imagine if your favorite Christmas dish was now simply too expensive. Spaniards don’t have to imagine. We look at why Spain's prized delicacy – ham made from pigs that dined on acorns – is now in short supply.


The Monitor's View

Jakub Wlodek/Agencja Gazeta via Reuters
A demonstrator holds a Polish Constitution during a protest in Krakow, Poland, Dec. 8. Polish lawmakers approved an overhaul of the judiciary that gives parliament de facto control over the selection of judges in defiance of the European Union.

The European Union has drawn a line in the sand with Poland. The issue is whether that country, which, along with nine other mostly Eastern European countries, joined the EU in 2004, must abide by certain democratic values to keep its membership in good standing.

More than Poland’s future is at stake. So is the very nature of the EU. While it now largely functions as an economic and trading union, many members envision a future of deeper cooperation in areas such as foreign policy based on common, democratic values.

Article 2 of the EU’s governing treaty, for example, speaks of broad standards of behavior. “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities,” the article states. “These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail.”

But Poland is now moving in a troubling direction over the values of justice and rule of law. The ruling nationalistic Law and Justice party has taken steps to undermine the nation’s independent judiciary, including its Supreme Court, and bring its courts and judges under the control of the parliment, which the party controls.

“Within a period of two years, 13 laws [in Poland] have been adopted which put at serious risk the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers in Poland,” says Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s first vice president. “The entire structure of the justice system is affected ... thereby rendering the independence of the judiciary completely moot.”

As a result, for the first time, the EU has invoked Article 7.1 of its treaty, starting a process that could strip Poland of its voting rights as a member.

Some see Poland’s move as no more than the legitimate exercise of its sovereignty. In a visit to Warsaw earlier this month, British Prime Minister Theresa May refused to take the side of the EU (which Britain is going to leave). The United States hasn’t weighed in either. President Trump, who made a cordial visit to Poland in July, has been silent on the issue.

EU critics cite other instances in which the Union has failed to intervene in the domestic affairs of members, from the Spanish government’s handling of its Catalan separatist movement to Greece’s treatment of refugees. Austria’s government now includes a far-right party with neo-Nazi roots in its ruling coalition. No EU protest has been made.

So why pick on Poland? For one thing a corrupted judicial system means trouble for any trading bloc: The rule of law must be applied fairly and consistently for cross-border commerce to flourish. An independent judiciary plays a key role in making that happen.

Invoking Article 7.1 was among the few choices the EU had available to show displeasure with Poland’s antidemocratic drift. 

The US and Poland have developed close ties since the fall of communism more than a quarter-century ago. If it wished, Washington could easily – and most likely effectively – nudge Warsaw to not wander any farther from democratic values.


A Christian Science Perspective

About this feature

Each weekday, the Monitor includes one clearly labeled religious article offering spiritual insight on contemporary issues, including the news. The publication – in its various forms – is produced for anyone who cares about the progress of the human endeavor around the world and seeks news reported with compassion, intelligence, and an essentially constructive lens. For many, that caring has religious roots. For many, it does not. The Monitor has always embraced both audiences. The Monitor is owned by a church – The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston – whose founder was concerned with both the state of the world and the quality of available news.

At this time of year, it can be nice to step back and take stock of how we may have improved ourselves a bit over the past year. This forward growth includes steps to overcome undesirable traits. Today’s contributor has found that when we make it a priority to let God’s infinite goodness inspire our thoughts and actions, we see that impure qualities of all sorts are truly no part of us as God’s creation. In fact, through the powerful, purifying action of God’s presence, we can do more than temporarily repress traits we’re wrestling with. They can be permanently washed away, through spiritual growth that reveals more of our true nature – reflecting the bright gold of God’s goodness and love.


A message of love

Ma Jianquan/Reuters
Herdsmen tame horses on a snow-covered pasture in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, on Dec. 26.
( The illustrations in today’s Monitor Daily are by Jacob Turcotte. )

A look ahead

Thanks for joining us. Come back tomorrow: We’re working on a story about four Latin American countries that closed loopholes to child marriage this year – and what continued progress looks like from Guatemala.

More issues

2017
December
27
Wednesday

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