Comment

The Age Letters

Pygmies adrift in a maze beyond comprehension

Illustration: Matt Golding

Each passing decade since the middle of the 20th century has seen increasing complexity in society, the economy, the environment and in global relationships. As with most changes over time and on this scale, new industries and professions rise and others fail to evolve and are left behind. The evidence seems clear that politicians are in the latter category: an increasingly less diverse group of career politicians unaware of or incapable of adapting to progress and who lack the skills to identify, communicate and tackle the challenges facing the nation and the world.