Why Nations Fail is a popular title of a book and study in the field of economic growth and development literature. It goes that good institutions like the courts, schools, universities, etc are essential to strong democracies and a well-functioning state that can resist the constant minority elite attack on institutions. The authors study throughout history why institutions collapsed, like the Roman Empire, or why resource-rich countries in South America and Africa are so prone to elitist groups corrupting and looting the state. Strong democracies are associated with strong institutions. When weakness infiltrates the institution, it slowly decays and rots, eventually collapsing a once strong institution. Midday Mass at Notre Dame of Paris Cathedral, 4 May 2026 South Africa is known as a young democracy but with a well-formulated constitution. In recent years our democracy has been tested and continues to endure attacks on the state, with much emphasis from a small minority elite grou...
I travelled to Paris for a work trip earlier this month and, from there, I was a stone’s throw away from Ireland. I spent two days visiting my cousin and her family, who have lived there for over three years. They took me to visit a very special place in Ireland called Knock. We had the wonderful opportunity of making a pilgrimage to the most profound Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. Apparition Chapel, 9 May 2026 The Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, and its surroundings are home to the Shrine of Our Lady at Knock in Cnoc Mhuire, Ireland. This is the official account listed on the Shrine site: “On 21 August 1879, 15 people of varying ages witnessed, over a period of two hours, the apparition of Our Lady, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist on the gable of the Church. To the right, in the centre of the gable, was a plain altar on which stood a lamb. Behind the lamb a large cross stood upright. Angels hovered around the lamb for the duration of the apparition, which was enveloped in a...