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‘Amor mundi’, love of the world, is a basic tenet of Hannah Arendt’s philosophy of life and closely related to her idea of republican (i.e., democratic) politics. Currently, Western democracies have strayed far from the ideals stressed in this view.

Our leaders seem more preoccupied with self preservation and personal aggrandizement than public service, sometimes leaning heavily toward authoritarianism. Our supposed political priorities seem wildly out of whack with the public interest or good. “Contemptus mundi,” scorn for the world, appears to be winning. Democracies would benefit from an Arendtian rebirth of principles.

Key to Arendt’s ideas are the complex concepts of plurality, natality and action based on responsibility — the very premises upon which democracy is built. In their simplest forms, plurality means acknowledging that human reality rests on living respectfully with others. Natality implies that the uniqueness each new birth brings into the world offers hope for original beginnings and societal renewal. Action means political participation based on shared responsibility for making the world better.

By the world, Arendt envisaged the relationships formed by the interactions between people. The love she imagined is not self-serving, manipulative, abusive or exclusionary. Absent are the racial and gender discrimination, religious divisiveness, coercion and control that presently dot our political landscapes.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I’m currently living out my worst nightmare. My husband bought a business without telling me, and I’m essentially stuck running it. He acts like he’s busy all the time, but I know for a fact he’s avoiding the real work — and just wants to shmooz with customers.

I thought I’d be spending my 60s enjoying my grandkids, and finally getting a break from long workdays. Now I find myself working 10 hours or more every single day, trying to make my husband’s dream business come true — and without much real help from him.

What can I do? The only way out I can see is divorce. I used to love the guy, but now the feeling is starting to ebb away

— Retired No More! River Heights

Manitoba got top marks from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for internal trade barrier reduction.

The business entity released its annual interprovincial co-operation report card earlier this month. Manitoba scored an “A” and was top of the class compared to fellow provinces.

The CFIB noted Manitoba has introduced legislation to improve the exchange of goods and services between reciprocating jurisdictions.

Manitoba and New Brunswick led the way in implementing direct-to-consumer alcohol sales without extra administrative hurdles or price markups.