Word: papandreou
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...state, if it is not to be those who know most about the principles of good government and who have other rewards and a better life than the politician's?" asked Socrates on the sunny shores of ancient Athens. Last Thursday, 2,000 years after Socrates, George A. Papandreou, the Greek minister of foreign affairs, made us think about this very same question at the John F. Kennedy School of Government...
...Papandreou began his speech in Boylston Hall by describing the general trends that are shaping the current global environment. The audience struggled with the weighty disappointments that have been the hallmark of Greek-Turkish clashes. The audience also grappled with the conception of Papandreou as a leader. For one thing, he lacks the charisma of a shepherd, the traditional leader. For another, he does not come across as the most impressive orator...
Last Thursday night Papandreou appeared, however, to confirm that he is a leader of the educated and inquiring minds. Profound politicians like him could advance the conflict of cultures to another level of peace and prosperity. He reminded us that the two chronic fighters could embrace the potential of a region that has historically been blessed with the winds of trade and culture between the east and the west...
...Papandreou humbly refused to discuss implementation details. He avoids the petty praise of his policy decisions while in office, as per other politicians. Instead, he spoke of a vision that resonates with Plato's theory of the form. The impetus behind this drive was catalyzed by "the earthquake relief aid that we sent to Turkey," said Papandreou. "My telephone lines got jammed. People from all over Greece were calling to ask where they could send monetary help, food and how to even volunteer to go to the damaged region...
...Papandreou's speech was the 17th in the Spaak Lecture Series, sponsored by the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs...