Time to reclaim politics as a force for the common good

By Josephine Garnem
Pax Christi USA National Council

Global consciousness is shifting, and with it comes an urgent call to reclaim politics as a force for the common good. What should be the norm — ethical leadership, service to those who are vulnerable, and stewardship of justice and peace — has too often been replaced by corrosive trends that threaten the very fabric of our societies.

Across the world, we are witnessing a troubling phenomenon that resembles a kind of political “Stockholm syndrome.” Citizens are becoming desensitized, even resigned, to destructive patterns: corrupt and self-serving politics, racism and xenophobia, anti-immigrant sentiments, greed, war, financial irresponsibility, the erosion of humanitarian aid, disinformation, and the deepening polarization that leaves people who are the most vulnerable increasingly marginalized. What was once unthinkable has begun to feel routine.

Unless we deliberately and strategically shift the tide, this downward spiral will continue. What we need is a new generation of leaders — young, courageous, and principled — who believe in the promise of democracy and the possibility of decent politics. Leaders who recognize that power is not merely to be wielded but harnessed for service, for the protection of those who are marginalized, and for the pursuit of justice and peace.

As a woman shaped by Franciscan tradition, a member of Pax Christi USA, and a student of the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Living School, I carry both the weight and the hope of this call deeply. Over the past few years, I have found renewed hope in the works and witness of the late Pope Francis. And now, after holding my breath in anxious anticipation during the papal process, that hope is being strengthened by the leadership of Pope Leo. Yet I know the responsibility of shifting global consciousness cannot rest on the shoulders of one individual, one faith, or one institution alone. The task is far too great.

We need leaders, communities, and peoples across all faith traditions, political spectrums, and civil society movements to believe again in the power of good governance — that decency is not only possible but the best path forward. Only when this belief is shared, combined, and lived out across the world will it be strong enough to transform the spiral of chaos into a movement toward justice, peace, and human dignity.

Good governance is not naïve; it is necessary. Decency in politics is not weakness; it is strength. To stay the course of integrity, transparency, and service is to build a legacy of hope rather than chaos, of order rather than disorder. Without such a shift in mindset and leadership, we risk handing over to future generations a fractured world defined by division and despair.

The urgency is clear: time is running out. We cannot afford the indulgence of petty politics or destructive governance. The world needs leaders who embody wisdom, compassion, and courage — leaders who will insist that politics can be a noble calling, and that through it, humanity can chart a course toward peace, justice, and shared flourishing.

As St. Francis taught, peace is not merely the absence of war but the active presence of justice and love in our public life. That is the vision we must claim together — for the sake of our future and for the generations yet to come.