The world, to employ a useful cliche, is not the same place it was a week ago. The problem is, no one is quite certain what shape it will take in the collapse or the propping-up of iconic Wall Street firms and other global banks and insurance companies, and emerging efforts by the US Congress for a broader bailout plan.

Even people not given to gloom fear that the world could be close to a 1930s-type depression that will batter the world economy. But, even if we manage to avoid the extreme event, the world is facing no easy time.

Which brings us to our main point - the role of leadership in a country like Jamaica in a time of crisis, and today's election for the presidency of the People's National Party (PNP).

As we have said before, and insist again, this contest between Mrs Portia Simpson Miller, the incumbent and leader of the opposition, and Dr Peter Phillips, a deputy president, is not merely an internal affair of the PNP. It is something in which all of us have a stake and, in that sense, to influence for the national good.

The fundamental point is that political parties exist primarily to seek state power and thereby, through their representatives, formulate and execute policies for, supposedly, the advancement of the society. The individuals they choose get, eventually, to exercise great authority and have control over large amounts of resources, no one more so than the person chosen as prime minister.

grave importance

It is important, therefore, who we give this job to or is in line to get it, if his or her party gains the majority of members in parliament during an election or because of some other event. Indeed, even filling the constitutional role as leader of the opposition is, in this context, of grave importance.

In fractious Jamaica, with its social dislocations, too many dysfunctionalities and too long a period of economic under-performance, political leadership, particularly in this time of crisis, can't be determined on whim. The person who is called upon to lead has to be clear in vision; must display a capacity for team building; be goal-oriented; has management skills; be able to think clearly and creatively; and must demonstrate the ability to articulate a vision for the country beyond trotting out worn and vapid cliches.

This, clearly, is a big ask. But, the management of any country, and the exercise of enormous power, is serious business, especially in times of crisis.

For leaders in opposition, the best proxy for determining what they might bring to the table is what they do with their parties - how they performed in government when they served and how, generally, they conduct their own affairs.

The question, therefore, facing the 4,500 PNP delegates, as they prepare to choose between Mrs Portia Simpson Miller and Dr Phillips, is which of the candidates is up to the task? As the incumbent, Mrs Simpson Miller, inevitably faces these questions:

Has she articulated a vision for her party and the country?

Has she unified the party?

Is she the leader for a crisis?

Has the PNP developed policies and programmes to execute in government?

And, who, in the context of the times, is the best leader, Mrs Simpson Miller, or Dr Phillips?

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.