Latest from Paul Thomas

COMMENT: 20th century totalitarian ideologies of left and right were quasi-religious movements that replaced an absentee God with flesh and blood messiahs.

COMMENT: We're venturing into the unknown. There have been demagogues in American politics before, but none became a major party's presidential candidate.

COMMENT: Why do some political leaders change their tune on drugs once they're no longer actively involved in politics?

COMMENT: As never before, the international community wishes it had a say in the American presidential election.

COMMENT: Given the sordid, coercive and traumatising nature of most incest, it seems a little reckless to push a "my DNA made me do it" line, even in unusual cases, writes Paul Thomas.

COMMENT: The US President holds mankind's fate in his or her hands, which is why we all have a stake in this election, writes Paul Thomas.

History, they say, is written by the victors. And few victors have relished the opportunity as much as Sir Paul Beresford, MP.

COMMENT: West will never thwart each and every attack, but the power to undermine propaganda is in our hands.

COMMENT: The rich and powerful are manipulating the media and the public in order to increase their wealth and power. Does that matter?

Moral dilemmas often pit narrow self-interest against the greater good, writes Paul Thomas.

It seems most Kiwis fit into at least one of the following categories on the question of whether to stick with the current flag or replace it, writes Paul Thomas.

COMMENT: The barbarian is no longer at the gate. He's inside the castle and heading for the throne room, writes Paul Thomas.

Here's an interesting statistic: since 1840, life expectancy at birth has risen three months each year, come war, epidemics or advances in medical science.

The meaning of the New Hampshire primary is that Americans are in open revolt against the system, fear of the future and rage against economic inequality.

This week the Herald reported that the exodus to Australia, for so long part of our social and political furniture, is officially over, writes Paul Thomas.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Just as England summoned Winston Churchill from the political wilderness in 1939, English rugby in its darkest hour has turned to its black sheep.

Oxford Uni's new vice-chancellor pinned her colours to the mast with a robust defence of the traditional British values of tolerance and free speech.

When you reach a certain age having acquired a degree of worldliness, there aren't many news items that make your jaw drop, writes Paul Thomas.

COMMENT: Unicef comes across as both controlling and ungrateful in their response to All Black's tweet showing dead children, writes Paul Thomas.

Statistics show Americans have a far greater chance of being shot dead in shootings perpetrated by their fellow Christian Americans than in terrorist attacks by Muslims, writes Paul Thomas.

It's a given that plenty of politicians play fast and loose with the truth, especially on the campaign trail, writes Paul Thomas. Trump isn't hyping his policies or exaggerating his opponents' shortcomings, he's slandering an entire community.

Both Key and Malcolm Turnbull have embraced causes not normally associated with conservatism.

Muslim communities have to be more forthright in their commitment to Western values and less indulgent of those in their midst who preach and practice hatred, writes Paul Thomas.

It's a good week to be a New Zealander: we won the Rugby World Cup (again) and were ranked one of the most prosperous nations (again), writes Paul Thomas.

Richie McCaw was at risk of missing the RWC final through being suspended for foul play. Paul writes how media could be the blame for this situation

Unlike the parliamentary system which requires the Prime Minister to be an MP, the presidential system is open to practically all comers, Paul writes.

Russia's presence in Syria under the pretence taking the fight to Isis is a strategic triumph for Vladimir Putin and an embarrassment for Barack Obama, writes Paul Thomas.

For the benefit of recent rugby converts, herewith a guide to the Rugby World Cup tournament thus far, writes Paul Thomas. A is for Australia.

Imagine being David Cameron's public relations adviser, writes Paul Thomas. "How did this come about, according to the book? I mean, was it a dare? Did he trip?"