The devastating shooting of a young student, and the string of violent episodes that followed it, has brought Greece to its knees and laid bare a deeper feeling of discontent and anger that has been simmering among Greeks for quite a while.
Much of the international focus on the crisis has been limited to the familiar territory of recession. Yet attempting to trace the root of the unrest in the economic slowdown is a rather simplistic approach that cannot entirely explain or justify the level of the events. Similarly, the drawing of parallels with other cases, such as the riots in Paris in 2005, are no better at helping us understand the causes, since the conditions surrounding each situation are different.
It is easy to assume that the street battles, the biggest the country has experienced in decades, are able to stir Greece's political situation. To what degree though? And are they capable of producing substantial change?
The first signs that have emerged do not look very encouraging. The majority of the political forces across the entire ideological spectrum seem to be trapped within their short-sighted self-delusional agendas, embarking on just another vote-collecting mission while lacking the will or the capacity to bring forward truly brave changes. The flag of reform has been waved repeatedly and rather light-heartedly in Greek politics in the last decades, especially in connection with the educational and health systems, but the constant failures in applying it have caused great frustration. The scarcity of alternative policies, in combination with an inefficient and disappointing media, distances even further the prospect of a real response to the accumulated discontent of the population.
The street violence and the plundering that have tormented Greek cities should not be identified as the platform that conveys this mounting disenchantment; at least, maybe not right now. Similar incidents, although of smaller scale, are not uncommon in modern Greek history. Furthermore, they can be seen as part of a wider behavioural approach in which the population tends to react and not to act, largely because this is what it has been guided to do.
It is important however not to forget that frustration and lack of faith prevail among Greeks, especially among the Greek youth, most of whom are highly educated. Such feelings can easily be identified with several aspects of every day life. The majority of those entering the productive age, with two or three degrees and foreign language certificates already under their belt, come across the sad realisation that they have to face a corrupt and complex jumble of failed policies that affects their lives in fundamental ways; abuse of official authority - expressed either by scandal-ridden politicians, citizen-hostile police or disrespectful civil servants, accompanied by a lack of jobs, low salaries, untrustworthy justice and poor educational and health systems.
And then there is the most discouraging realisation of all: that this system is being depicted as an invincible social de facto that preaches in all directions that the road to success can only be reached by passing through it. When viewed in this light, it is no surprise that Greeks are Europe's most pessimistic people, according to a study by Eurostat.
Speaking on the BBC's ‘World, Have Your Say' programme, Professor Kevin Featherstone, director of the Hellenic Observatory at the London School of Economics, said the recent events have raised the question of whether Greece is capable of delivering reform. He identified as a possible source of the problem the country's lack of direction; Greece speaks with two voices and its people have "contradictory divergent demands."
Such contradictions tend to be a common phenomenon in Greece, as they seem to be deeply embedded in the population's actions, only adding to the complexity and confusion of the situation.
The debate over the shape of the Greek democracy is dominating the country's political life, with Greeks frequently and multilaterally engaging their democratic rights, as the country's record of demonstrations also suggests. Yet, that plethora of voices and opinions is rarely transformed into a concrete political act, as three political families have been voted almost consecutively to run the country in the last three decades. They look likely to carry on doing so as new members of these political dynasties are now seen as the favourites to take centre stage. The country is clearly experiencing a political crisis as the two-party system, with its almost steady rotation after the passing of two terms, does not seem to offer realistic alternatives.
Opposite the collective demands for a cleaner state with less corruption, stands the common place practise of nepotism and the use of favours, which prevails at all levels of society, from the pettiest social interaction to the most important public affairs. As mentioned before, the situation is exacerbated by the fact that those seeking an alternative way usually end up hitting an impassable wall. It is apparent that the eradication of such entrenched practices can only be brought about by a competent political leadership that will set new guidelines in order to restore trust and respond to the calls for meritocracy.
It has yet to be seen how the accumulated discontent of the Greek population will choose to deliver its message and if it will manage to trigger substantial and profound structural changes. The only certainty so far seems to be the need for new heroes and leaders. Once they are found, one can only hope that inner determination will collectively emerge too.
Comments
This is a normal reaction of people that feel qualified and not being having acces to a job or a position in the system where they can fulfill their objective.
The political system in Greece and many other countries especially in the Southern Europe have been dominated by extreme nepotism and favoritism. This status extends in all aspects of public contracts, job allocation and even to the most trivial jobs like a security guard's position in a bank or a cleaner's position in a hospital.
At the same time the educational system becomes harder and harder for young people to get in an their families have to pay huge amounts of money monthly for add on tutoring courses and foreign language private schooling.
Therefore there exists a highly qualified middle class educated youth cast that at the same time feels outcasted as the jobs available are not sufficient for all.
Therefore we have a strange phenomenon seing young people whose parents are part of the middle class supporting the governement and probably have voted for the right wing government ruling currently.
Then there is another group of highly politicized and intellectual people that have turned extreme left wing activists out of long term frustration going back in the 70's. These highly intellectual people had great expectations of the followed up democratization after the 1973 student's movement "the age of Polytechnion " that deposited the American installed Junda in Greece and caused the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Things started great with the left wing movement of PASOK that promised social equality, justice for all independent foreign policy and "Social Change"
Unfortunately the deep roots of GReek Nepotism and personal favoritism eroded this movement after few years and caused a great disapointment to the new generations when they saw the "Revolutionaries" becoming corrupt and living confertably along the right wing "burzuagie". I personally saw one of the most notable personallities of the Polytechnion movement ex-PM elected with the Communist Party currently with PASOK negotiating the purchase of a multimilion apartment in Kolonaki, even though she has never worked in her life.
Threfore we started seeing the "apolitical" class of intellectuals turning into drugs and acts of frustrution.
These are the people that could have been the future of a progressive Greek democracy turning against the most visible fundamentals of this foundation which include Multinational companies, Banks, the middle class business and the police.
They are frustrated to hear the Greek Banks raising interests against business while the international Banks are lowering interests and the Government is giving them huge hand-outs.
They are frustrated to see no future for their new generation of educated people that want to live with respect and decency.
They are frustrated to see their grand parents or aging parents losing their dignity with the starvation pensions that exist and having to pay bribes to the doctors of public hospitals. The same age doctors that were the leading revolutionaries in "Polytechnio".
I freaked to meet a "friend" of mine from this 1973 period, that during the Ioannides "Coup De Etat" we were stranded in his house in Ambelokipoi Athens frustrated with the situation and now now a Director of a major Greek hospital.
After a long period abroad I met him again during a return visit for my ailing mother in the hospital.
With horror I heard him apologizing for being late because he was negotiating the "fakelaki deal" with one aged farmer patient. The same patient he wanted to protect thirty years ago as a leftist medical student with the synthem "Ergates-Agrotes- Foitites" ( Workers-Farmers-Students (together)"
I felt the frustration these new generation feels and left while he could not understand why I rejected his invitation for dinner.
I see and I can feel the frustration of the young people in the streets not. Unfortunately I am frustrated knowing what they will become as they will "settle themselves" eventually.
I expect pretty soon these people will also realize the role of the totally corrupt Greek Religious Class which is the biggest holder of wealth in Greece and will also turn against it as well.
It is significant to realize that most of these demonstrations started as the scandal of Batopedion in Mount Athos was in its peak through out the Greek media.
Greeks are highly respectful and religious and the Greek history books have exagerated the role of religion to our society even with lies on its way of being established in Greece and its role during the Byzantium era in Greece.
As a result it is a "taboo" so far but when we see top level officials and ministers of the Government and the other political parties involved in these religious scandals the frustration will reach this peak as well.
The Greek public life, including politics, business academics and all aspects of social life is a maze, a labyrinth, of dark connections based on mutual financial interests encapsulated under the term "DIAFTHORA".
This influences the correct and independent functionality of the legal system, the medial and the politician's behaviour. The Greek political system and the greek social values have been distorted. The laws exist but are applied with great discrimination. There is not "Eunomia" the fundamental ingredient of democracy.
Greeks have to go back to their roots and follow their DNA. We need the old Philosophical analysis of democracy and not all the crap we are dished out daily by all types of sons and decendants of other incapable politicians that create a branding of political families.
Greece will move on as it has in the past. It needs the sparkling personalities and the leadership (that is missing unfortunately, in order to capitalize in this recent shake ups.
I am not scared of some broken glass fronts of banks but I care for the independent middle class businessman, however it is his own kid that does this therefore the kid know better his family and the way they conduct their business. May be this is another expression of a social fundamental revolt against their own families as well.
Whatever it is we will find out eventually. Fire scares but it is also the fundamental power of progress.
Keep your cool and thing constantly do not lose control of your emotions and constantly improve yourselves and everyone around you.
Friendly Regards
Teo, you are right to trace the current problems to something beyond simply recession, with historical roots. But, I would say there are other historical roots you have not identified. For example, the historical roots of uprising. Greeks understand their history as being one of a serious of glorious rebellions, uprisings, revolutions. Being a revolutionary is seen as a wonderful thing. The kids blowing up banks (it's not just a bit of broken glass, Dimitri) have been fed since birth on a diet of how wonderful it is to rebel against authority, to take up arms and be a warrior. Being a revolutionary is a Greek cultural ideal, hence the kids want to uprise and wider Greek society is very tolerant of such behaviour.
Both Teo and Dimitri are wrong in another aspect, when they claim that the young (and other) people are very good quality workers. No they are not! Yes, some people are, but that's a minority. The standard of "human resources" in Greece is appalling. The workforce is completely lacking in so many skills necessary for a creative, functioning and effective economy. Yes, we might expect that in the public sector in Greece. But why in the private sector, such as it exists? I'm not sure to what extent Greeks have realised that being a good employer or employee means sticking to deadlines, being honest with your customers, having a good and novel product, being able to deal with problem situations and anticipating them in advance, encouraging a creative environment where ideas are exchanged, paying people on time (that so rarely happens!), having communication channels, acting in a speedy and responsible manner, creative thinking and foresight to develop new products and strategies and general all-round efficiency. I'm sorry, but I really don't think the demonstrators - the violent ones and the non-violent ones - have a clue what they need to offer an employer. And they don't have to work for others, they could start their own businesses. Where are the creative new enterprises? Greece is lacking in so many services and so many of its economic sectors are underdeveloped. Sure, the government needs to reform a lot of the way in which business is done in the private sector. But, who is actually demanding this? Where is the "civil society", where are the consumer and business groups, the academics and journalists, even the average citizen in this whole debate? In over a decade of living in Greece I've never heard "civil society" come out with any coherent, well-thought through plans that they can put to the political parties and say "this is what we expect you to do". Instead, it's just a serious of national strikes, crude, polemical and ignorant rhetoric from the unions, chaos being caused in the city by demonstrations (usually with only just a handful of people) that were only decided the day before closing off the whole of downtown Athens.
Yes, the political system is dirty, tired, inefficient, collapsing. But, the political system is a reflection of society. Real reform is needed. But, my suspicion is, even if the most brilliant, wonderful leader was elected with the smartest and most efficient government, eager to implement a brilliant reform package, there would still be strikes and demonstrations against it. Because the Greek people would be shocked by the changes that they would need to make in their own behaviour and mentality in order to make Greece a thriving, forward-looking, economically sound country. Yes, the state needs drastic changes. But, so do the citizens. Just as the state is inept, fossilised, rotting, so is the citizen body.
‘ A view from Athens,’
Thank you for your comments.
Your observation that both the state and the citizens need “drastic changes” is exactly what the last part of the article was trying to communicate. As it was argued, a series of contradictory demands are embedded in the population’s actions; the widespread public demand for less state corruption is not echoed by the common place practise of prevailing favouritism, spread across all levels of society. In a similar way it can be seen the fact that most of the people have been voting in the last decades for almost the same political families to run the country, despite the tradition of “uprising” that you mentioned. As it’s also been argued, the future bet involves both the emergence of competent leaders and citizens’ determination to change.
Your comments on the quality of the work offered by the Greek employees have to take into consideration that as many of the country’s brightest people enter the productive age, they come across a mighty and corrupt system of failed policies that projects itself as an unshakable reality. All the incidents you described reflect that system, which is primarily sustained by the state. At the same time we must acknowledge what most of these employees are getting in return; in Greece, the “700-euros generation” is a sad and ubiquitous reality which unavoidably prompts great frustration, especially among well-trained young people.
Yes, the media have been disappointing while the unions, directly controlled by the political parties, have failed in their fundamental task. But, let us distinguish the role of the youth, as for many years it is being told to work and study hard, both in Greece and abroad, only to comprehend later that it has to face the frustrating reality of a failed system which promotes nepotism and corruption.
The first institution that needs to be blamed for all this mayhem is the church. It is a great shame that Greece and Iran are the only theocratic Indo-European states.
The church in Greece has all the power.....there is no way any politician can oppose this powerful body. Unless people start dispansing with the church all together, and take away the money from it, there will be no real progress. Nowhere else in Europe can a person who claims to be an atheist get so much wrath.
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