Can we ever hope to solve 21st century problems with old preconceptions and established practices? Or should we grasp the magnitude of change that technology, globalization and corresponding social trends bring, in order to evolve?
The emergence of global powers that challenge the economic supremacy of the West, the interconnectivity that makes almost everybody a citizen of the world, albeit often a disgruntled one, the rifts that begin to appear in the social fabric of even the most developed countries, have already answered this question.
The underlying social, economic and geopolitical currents of the world are changing, yet the so called “establishment” seems to lag behind. Citizens, in many cases middle class citizens, the pillar of any democracy, increasingly appear to believe that the establishment is corrupt and practically deaf to their needs and aspirations. Discontent and uncertainty, fuel the rise of extremist political factions and populists.
Can democracy’s values and the tolerant culture that inspired generations all over the World, survive these disturbing trends? History gives a positive answer. Since its inception in ancient Greece, democracy has endured, evolved and prevailed, despite the ebbs and flows that occurred in certain eras.
The key lies with evolution. The need for ever increasing economic competitiveness can be combined with more efficient redistribution of wealth. Technology can be used to enhance transparency in governance and to directly involve constituencies in important issues. Full inclusion of every segment of society to the educational and cultural process, can bolster the foundations of our democracies. The powers of globalization could be harnessed in ways that do not undermine important tools of national governance.
In short, we have to find a new equilibrium not just between the developed countries and their emerging counterparts, but also within our societies that are becoming more and more unbalanced.
Greece, the cradle of democracy, is far from invulnerable to these wide reaching trends. In fact, the prolonged economic crisis and the immigration problem to which it is directly exposed have created tensions previously unseen in its society, although it remains a pillar of stability in the broader region.
I hope that the ideas and opinions, the experience contained in this special edition, will provide every reader with adequate “food for thought” and optimism, for a future of enhanced democracy, despite the challenges that lie ahead.
* Editor in Chief at Euro2day.gr