德國經歷了1871年統一立國, 1871-1919年的君主立憲管治, 1919-1933的威瑪共和民主政制,1933-1945希特勒的極權管治, 1945-1949年的四強管治, 1945年至今天的民主憲政管治。這百多年的歷史, 見證著民主制度並不一定是一條單程路, 而是有走向獨裁的機會, 每一個民主社會的公民, 都要珍惜並維持自己的權利, 不能讓管治者,無限制地擴展權力。

今天特朗普成為美國總統,上任不到一個月, 已經顯示了他利用世界最強大國家領導人的權力, 要改變世界秩序的決心。每一個國家都在他以「使美國再次強大」的口號下實施各項政策,直接或間接受到影響。對澳洲來說,美國向全球鋼鐵徵收關稅,卻可以因為與澳洲的特殊關係而作出豁免考慮, 就影響到澳洲政府對美國以霸主姿態, 欺凌其它國家人民的回應。

在沒有徵詢巴勒斯坦人的意願下, 美國要重建飽受戰火摧殘的加沙地帶而不讓巴勒斯坦人回歸,明顯是行使種族滅絕政策。但總理阿爾巴尼斯只是重申澳洲仍然維持支持聯合國一貫兩國自治的決議,而不明確反對特朗普個人剝奪了數百萬人在這片土地生活的權利。這一種沒有原則的「政治智慧」令人心寒,這和二次大戰前英國首相張伯倫實施「綏靖主義」本質上沒有兩樣。

當時民主政制的威瑪共和德國可以選出極權管治的領袖希特勒, 而世界各國對極權者的寬容, 最後導致第二次大戰。今天得到國民支持要「復興美國」的特朗普, 可以提出收回巴拿馬運河的控制、也可以公開叫囂強迫購買地方大資源多人口少卻具備戰略價值的格陵蘭、並可以要求加拿大成為美國第51個州, 甚至把遠在巴勒斯坦地區的加沙地帶看成為美國土地來發展重建, 並視之為完成「美國第一」的必須過程。這一種行為, 除了激發民族主義者的瘋狂情緒外, 更是世界和平的威脅。

澳洲作為太平洋的中等實力國家, 我們如何面對中國堀起、美國強權管治、及其它國家蠢蠢欲動的狀況, 確是值得關注。我們沒有能力改變世界的走向,但如何能在這紛亂世代中, 降低國家與國家之間的直接衝突, 並且不被捲入, 有頼於政治領袖的識見和魄力。

在將要進行的聯邦政府選舉, 我們將要選出的政治領袖, 能給我們希望嗎? 只盼望神能在澳洲興起合適的領袖吧。

周偉文，社長

Leaders in a turbulent world

Germany has undergone significant political transformations throughout its history. It was unified as a nation in 1871, followed by a constitutional monarchy from 1871 to 1919. From 1919 to 1933, it experienced the democratic governance of the Weimar Republic, which was later replaced by Hitler’s totalitarian rule from 1933 to 1945. After World War II, from 1945 to 1949, Germany was under the control of the four Allied powers before transitioning to democratic constitutional governance from 1949 to the present day. This history of over a century serves as a testament that democracy is not necessarily straight forward; there is always the possibility of a shift towards dictatorship. Every citizen in a democratic society must cherish and uphold their rights, ensuring that those in power do not inflate their authority without limits.

Today, as Trump has become the President of the United States in less than a month, he has already demonstrated his determination to use his power as the leader of the world’s most powerful nation to reshape the global order. Every country is directly or indirectly affected by the policies he implements under the slogan “Make America Great Again.” For Australia, the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on global steel imports—while considering exemptions for Australia due to their special relationship—has influenced the Australian government’s response to America’s dominating stance and its treatment of other nations and their people.

Without consulting the will of the Palestinian people, the United States plans to rebuild the war-ravaged Gaza Strip while barring Palestinians from returning—an act that clearly constitutes a policy of ethnic cleansing. However, Prime Minister Albanese has merely reiterated Australia’s continued support for the United Nations’ long-standing two-state solution, without explicitly opposing Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to strip millions of people of their right to live on this land. This kind of unprincipled “political pragmatism” is deeply disheartening. In essence, it is no different from the “appeasement policy” implemented by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain before World War II.

At the time when the democratic Weimar Republic in Germany elected a totalitarian leader like Hitler, the world’s tolerance of authoritarian rulers ultimately led to World War II. Today, Donald Trump, backed by popular support for his vision to “revive America,” has made bold proposals, such as reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, openly yelling to force on the purchase of resource-rich yet sparsely populated strategic territories like Greenland, and even suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. Furthermore, he views the war-torn Gaza Strip, far away in Palestine, as land for American-led redevelopment—considering it a necessary step to achieve “America First.”. Such actions not only fuel the fanaticism of nationalists but also pose a direct threat to global peace.

As a mediocre nation in the Pacific, it is indeed soul-searching on how should Australia navigate China’s rise, America’s assertive dominance, and the growing ambitions of other nations?  While we lack the ability to change the course of global events, our ability to reduce direct conflicts between nations—and avoid being drawn into them—depends on the vision and ability of our political leaders.

With the upcoming federal election, will the leaders we choose offer us hope? One can only pray that God will raise the right leaders for Australia.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher