The columnist's dilemma: Repetitive analyses and great challenges that demand our attention

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."

I was talking to a reader yesterday who commented, when I asked for his opinion, that to attract readers and reader engagement it would be useful to use new angles and fresh approaches to the subjects of the newsletter, as the columns seem to be dealing with the same things again and again.

That set me thinking.

How can a columnist retain readers’ interest and attention when the same unresolved challenges keep screaming not only for attention but more importantly for effective action?

First, a writer could give up writing columns about current events, and dedicate his or her efforts toward writing books or exploring other themes.

Second, one could seek out more positive stories, and devote more energy to developing perspectives on the positive side of things. Actually, this is an excellent idea. Today, for example, one might counter reports on what Donald Trump is doing and his latest threats to American democracy with stories of democratic triumphs around the world.

The recent triumph of democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan stands out as a shining example to the world. This weekend’s democratic elections in Ghana offer another, highlighting the fact that many countries hold regular elections pursuant to established electoral laws and procedures.

The successful opposition to the president’s decree of martial law in South Korea offers a recent example where democracy and the rule of law have been effectively defended by a population devoted to democracy.

Even in France and Germany where political leadership is at the moment uncertain, events are proceeding within a lawful constitutional framework. Emmanuel Macron, a strong leader, is holding the center despite the cynical collusion of extreme-left and extreme-right parties to bring down the government of prime minister Michel Barnier in a vote of no-confidence this last week. Macron is a skilled politician who still has two years left as president, which under the 1958 constitution gives him great powers.

In Germany, SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to not survive a vote of confidence in the coming days, with elections expected on February 23. All in accordance with the constitution.

Finally, in Syria, the rapid fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in recent days demonstrates that freedom from dictatorship has enormous appeal, and that the democratic hopes of the Arab Spring are not entirely dead despite the horrific costs paid by the Syrian people over the last 13 years.

At times it seems that we take democracy for granted.

Few people make the case for democracy, which younger voters in particular need to hear. The case for democracy is extraordinarily strong.

Returning to the columnist’s dilemma, we need to resist our fetish for whatever is new. New is not necessarily good. Old is not necessarily bad. So, at a certain level, I resist the suggestion that I find new angles or approaches to deal with persistent challenges.

Nonetheless, despite this resistance, I will use any new angles and approaches which seem promising that occur to me. I remain open to suggestions from readers on how to make my columns more interesting and more attractive to new and current readers.

There are certain subjects of continuing great importance. Climate change. The Russian war on Ukraine and civilization. The threat of Donald Trump and his fascist supporters to democracy in America.

These threats at the most basic level have not changed. Yet we must continue addressing them. We’ll try to keep it interesting.

Please send me your suggestions either in the Comment box below or by email to jrowles93@gmail.com.

FURTHER READING

James Rowles, “Repetitive arguments and decision making in the Ukraine war,” Trenchant Observations, April 15, 2023.

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James Rowles is a former Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School and professor of international law at other universities.

Recent Books by the Author

The Rape of American Democracy: Republican Actions and Democratic Failures, 2016-2021 (September, 18, 2024). Available on Amazon and soon to be available from IngramSpark, either directly or through bookstores.

Don’t Be Stupid. Pay Attention, Damn It! Advice for Undecided Voters and Voters Leaning Toward Trump (November 11, Available on Amazon and soon to be available from IngramSpark, either directly or through bookstores..

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