Reflections on Statesmanship
A series of essays
- The Role of Opposing Viewpoints in the Decision-Making Process of the Statesman October 9, 2019The Role of Opposing Viewpoints in the Decision-Making Process of the Statesman King Solomon left for us the benefit of his wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Let us look at some of his advice as it relates to making decisions within government: Plans fail when there is no counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs ...
- Statesmen are seldom appreciated in their own time August 26, 2019Statesmen Are Seldom Appreciated in Their Own Time Often Statesmen are only truly appreciated after their service is over, perhaps even departed this life. This is understandable because the Statesman operates on a longer time-frame, The Statesman is proactive rather than reactive. In democratic governance, the people ─ the electorate ─ tend to be more concerned ...
- What the Statesman Can Learn from King David’s Insights on Governing August 2, 2019What the Statesman Can Learn from King David’s Insights on Governing King David provides us with invaluable perspective when it comes to governing a nation within God’s current-day system. Who is David? Is he King? Or is he the man who loved God as much as any man who ever walked on this earth? He is both. Is ...
- Statesmen Drawing the Politicians into the Vision July 8, 2019Statesmen Drawing the Politicians into the Vision We have already defined a Statesman as a leader who is unique in terms of vision and character, as for example, expressed by Edmund Burke: The great difference between the real statesman and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; ...
- The Statesman operates on high moral principles June 17, 2019The Statesman Operates on High Moral Principles Edmund Burke, the respected British political figure in the late eighteenth century, had provided the following insight into the character of the Statesman: The great difference between the real statesman and the pretender is that the one sees into the future, while the other regards only the present; the one ...
- The Statesman is willing to take risks (political risks) in order to do the right thing and achieve his/her vision May 28, 2019The Statesman is Willing to Take Risks (Political Risks) in Order to do the Right Thing and Achieve Their Vision When the Statesman gains an understanding that our Creator has a plan that is knowable by His creation and that we may participate in, it provides a confidence that gives the strength to act boldly and ...
- The statesman has a vision for making our nations better than we found them May 6, 2019The Statesman Has a Vision for Making Our Nations Better Than We Found Them A former President of Columbia University commented: Our world is made up of three kinds of people: the few who make things happen, the many who watch things happen, and the great majority who have no idea what is happening. 1 We cannot rely ...
- Characteristics of a Statesman: The statesman displays the heart of a shepherd April 10, 2019Characteristics of a Statesman: The statesman displays the heart of a shepherd a. Compassion toward the people, especially the most disadvantaged King Solomon provides a good example. Early in his reign when he clearly had the heart of a statesman, he said to His Creator (paraphrasing and transposing from the third person to the first): I will rescue ...
- The View the Statesman Holds of Government and His/Her Responsibilities. March 20, 2019The View the Statesman Holds of Government and Their Responsibilities. The starting point is there is a Designer who created the universe with a purpose. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. (John 1:3) God, the Designer, actively reigns over His creation. God continually tells us: ...
- How Do You Wish to be Remembered as a Leader – as a Statesman or as a Politician? January 30, 2019How Do You Wish to be Remembered as a Leader – as a Statesman or as a Politician? I believe it is essential for those serving in Government to continually reflect on what motivates us and what we hope to achieve with our lives. Let me pose these questions: What kind of a leader do you ...