THOUGHT LEADERS
History in Motion
Chris Patten
History lies at the heart of many of the disputes that are sowing fear and conflict in today’s world: Russia’s bullying of its neighbors, fierce clashes over sovereignty from Kosovo to Taiwan, and explosive national and ethnic movements from Turkey to Sri Lanka and Tibet. Some of these historical quarrels are unfamiliar, while others – morally complex and seemingly intractable – are inconvenient. Small wonder that only a few diplomats have the breadth of vision to tackle them.
Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, a former EU Commissioner for External Relations, British Cabinet Minister, and Chairman of the Conservative Party, has built his career around addressing such challenges. Currently Chancellor of the University of Oxford, he is also co-chair of the International Crisis Group, overseeing many international operations.
Lord Patten's struggle to preserve Hong Kong’s decent, liberal qualities and his refusal to cater to the widespread Western desire not to annoy Beijing helped assure the survival of democratic expectations a decade after the colony’s transfer to China. Prior to his appointment to the EU Commission, Lord Patten brought the same skill and integrity to the peace process in Northern Ireland. As chairman of the Patten Commission, he oversaw the transformation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary into an inclusive and genuinely civilian police force.
From the Far East to the Middle East, from Belfast to Brussels, Lord Patten stands out as one of the most experienced and best-informed statesmen of recent decades. Every month, in History in Motion, written exclusively for Project Syndicate, brings his lucid brand of practical wisdom to bear on problems that others would rather avoid.
