The hollowed-out state: Can the church reinspire public service?
From Matters of Life and Death by Premier Unbelievable?
April 22, 2026 · 42 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the decline of healthcare systems and the potential role of the church in inspiring public service amidst modern challenges.
Our conversation today begins with a report into the significant deterioration of healthcare systems across the Western world in the six years since the covid pandemic. Regardless of billions being poured into them, public satisfaction and health outcomes are steadily declining in hospitals around the world in the aftermath of the covid crisis, as a “doom loop” of waiting lists, more sick patients, and burned out staff cycles round. And it’s not just healthcare: large parts of the modern state seems fragile or crumbling under the strain prompted by our series of geopolitical shocks in recent years, from pandemics and trade wars to shooting wars and energy crises. We then reflect on why it might be harder to encourage people into working for their government or local council these days, and if the church has a role to reinspire interest in public service. Or has the church too become trapped in the hyper-individualism and grasping obsession with self-fulfilment which characterises 21st century culture? Read The Economist article which inspired our conversation here: https://www.economist.com/international/2026/04/09/hospitals-are-stuck-in-a-deadly-doom-loop • You can send in your…
Topics covered
- healthcare systems
- public service
- church role
- geopolitical shocks
- individualism
Keywords
- healthcare
- public satisfaction
- covid pandemic
- geopolitical shocks
- church
- public service
- individualism
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Economist
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