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Curated by Project Syndicate

Desmond Tutu, 1931-2021

18 commentaries

The work of the Anglican archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate did not end with apartheid. His unwavering commitment to human rights, social justice, and environmental sustainability was amply demonstrated in the 19 commentaries he wrote for PS over two decades.

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  1. The Climate Categorical Imperative
    Coal fired power plant Guy Gorek/Flickr

    The Climate Categorical Imperative

    Jun 12, 2015 Desmond Tutu & Trevor Manuel argue that efforts to combat global warming are both morally right and economically beneficial.

  2. Vaccination’s Lifetime of Blessings
    ve903c.jpg Chris Van Es

    Vaccination’s Lifetime of Blessings

    Apr 24, 2013 Desmond Tutu on efforts to stamp out polio and other preventable diseases.

  3. The Fire in the Monastery
    pa1508c.jpg Paul Lachine

    The Fire in the Monastery

    Jun 13, 2012 André Glucksmann, et al.

  4. Climate Justice
    2b392c0346f86f400ca18902_pa3439c.jpg Paul Lachine

    Climate Justice

    Nov 30, 2011 Mary Robinson & Desmond Tutu

  5. The Devil in the Tar Sands
    pa2592c.jpgae477e0246f86f6804546f01

    The Devil in the Tar Sands

    Nov 7, 2011 Jody Williams & Desmond Tutu

  6. Ukraine Loses Its Way
    tb3432c.jpg Tim Brinton

    Ukraine Loses Its Way

    Aug 31, 2011 Václav Havel, et al.

  1. vaheesan2_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_gigworkersprotest Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    The Gig Economy vs. America’s Workers

    Sandeep Vaheesan warns that proposed ballot initiatives in Massachusetts would legalize exploitative employment practices.
  2. sherwin13_CURTIS MEANSPOOLAFP via Getty Images_repubicans trump trial CURTIS MEANS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    King Trump on Trial

    Richard K. Sherwin

    High-ranking Republican politicians have lately been turning up at Donald Trump’s New York City trial to demonstrate solidarity with the former president. But their attendance also serves a more alarming purpose: to validate Trump as a competing source of sovereign power, independent of the US Constitution and the rule of law.

    explains why a parade of Republican leaders have made appearances at the former president’s trial in New York.
  3. spence173_ Joe RaedleGetty Images_power Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Crunch Time for the Power Sector

    Michael Spence argues that developing flexible, stable, and resilient smart grids requires an expanded industrial policy.
  4. op_janeway16_SAUL LOEBAFP via Getty Images_bidenchips Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    The Rise of Mesoeconomics

    William H. Janeway

    A growing body of literature focusing on the domain between the microeconomic and the macroeconomic has become increasingly relevant in a world beset by supply shocks. Armed with such insights, those designing industrial policies will have a better chance of achieving their overlapping economic- and national-security goals.

    details how a long-neglected field of economic study can be applied to today's most pressing policy challenges.
  5. strain27_Philipp von Ditfurthpicture alliance via Getty Images_AIeducation Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images

    What the AI Pessimists Are Missing

    Michael R. Strain points out that the technology will help to address many of the risks it creates.
  6. ito37_Spencer PlattGetty Images_columbiaprotests Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    The Innocent Bystanders of College Protests

    Takatoshi Ito laments that a radical minority can disrupt the lives of so many in the broader university community.
  7. lacamera1_Wang DongzhenXinhua via Getty Images_COP28 Wang Dongzhen/Xinhua via Getty Images

    Only Public-Private Cooperation Can Accelerate Decarbonization

    Francesco La Camera & Bruce Douglas explain how to translate political commitments into actual wind turbines and solar panels.
  8. haass167_ANATOLII STEPANOVAFP via Getty Images_ukrainesoldiers Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images

    Defining Success in Ukraine

    Richard Haass calls for a shift to a defensive posture and efforts to bring about a long-term ceasefire.
  9. aslund75_Pierre CromGetty Images_ukraineconflict Pierre Crom/Getty Images

    A Unified Western Strategy for Ukraine

    Anders Åslund proposes a maximalist approach to military aid to replace the current piecemeal injections of old weapons.

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