Perils of division

The murder of Jo Cox, a member of the British Parliament and a vocal advocate of Britain remaining in the European Union, as she prepared to meet with constituents in Birstall, near Leeds, on Thursday, highlights the dangers posed by division, polarization and hatred in politics.

Regrettably, you can never be sure that some deranged fanatic out there will not be driven by such sinister forces into committing a horrible act. [British media yesterday cited locals as saying that the 41-year-old Labour deputy had been shot and stabbed by a man shouting “Britain first.”]

Greece is no stranger to periods of tension and polarization. In fact, it was not so long ago that this country was on the brink of tumbling into an abyss of violence and civil struggle.

Politicians of all stripes have a responsibility to steer society away from dangerous division and extreme behavior, which are the surest path to national tragedy.