Introduction: Moments of Crisis, Decision and Critique

‘Crisis’ is as old as European history. The origin of the term is the classical Greek word κρίσις (krisis), which meant ‘fight’ and ‘divorce’, but also ‘decision’. Krisis was used in politics to refer to a decisive moment that occurred in ‘the reaching of a crucial point that would tip the scales’ (Koselleck & Richter, 2006, p. 358). It also was used by Greek physicians to refer to the point at which it will be determined whether the patient will live or die (Starn 1971, p. 4). Since then, throughout its long usage, the term retained its connection to ‘life‐deciding alternatives’ (Koselleck & Richter, 2006, p. 361). A crisis is a turning point, a time that might precipitate drastic structural reorganisation or a rupture that demands a decisive response (Redfield, 2005, p. 336). It indicates the ‘transition towards something better or worse or towards something altogether different’ (Koselleck & Richter, 2006, p. 358). Perhaps it might even mark a moment of truth (Starn, 1971, p. 4).