Declaration for the Defense of Society and Democracy
Call for the Defense of Society and Democracy in Greece
We are a group of citizens who have come together from a variety of
political backgrounds with a common purpose: the pressing need to
articulate a coherent and persuasive critical voice that will be heard
loudly both inside and outside Greece. In the context of a contemporary
moment in which the central dilemma “austerity or bankruptcy” has given
way to the entirely nihilistic formula “austerity and bankruptcy”, our
initiative aims to make a powerful intervention in Greek and European
public opinion, highlighting three major issues:
1. The collapse of the welfare state and the intensification of social inequalities
2. The undermining of democratic institutions and civil rights
3. The waning of the European vision and the dismantling of European unity
The goal of this initiative is not just to produce another statement
about the ‘crisis’ or to collect signatures for an online petition, even
though it started that way. We plan to form a broad network to spread
the message everywhere that the so-called ‘Greek problem’ merely
presages the dangers at stake for fundamental European social and
political values. Therefore the ‘Greek problem’ concerns us all.
Our hope is that all who choose to sign this petition will become
involved, if they so desire, in social action, ideally in collaboration
with other groups who know firsthand what is going on in Greece today
and who are interested in working together for a social and democratic
Europe. In a time of crisis, no one is alone. Participation is our
response to exclusion. Action is our answer to defeatism and pessimism.
Α CATASTROPHIC MOMENT IN EUROPEAN HISTORY
Greek society is suffering both from the crisis and from the
responses to it, which have reached a dead end. Major social and
political institutions that were created with enormous struggles and
sacrifices in post-war Greece – collective bargaining agreements, social
security, the public health system, public education, public transport,
the natural and urban environment, the right to live a safe existence –
are being destroyed. The welfare state is being dismantled and public
services are disintegrating due to lack of funding and personnel cuts.
According to Eurostat, almost one third of the population are at the
risk of poverty and numbers are increasing rapidly. Essential public
goods are no longer available. Households are going bankrupt one after
the other. Society is being led to suffocation.
The people are being blackmailed: they face the dilemma of austerity
or bankruptcy? Yet, this is hardly a dilemma – it is rather a negative
aggregate: austerity and bankruptcy. Instead of saving the country and
correcting the chronic illnesses of the Greek political and economic
system, the policies that are being implemented are plunging Greece into
recession and increasing its debt. All predictions by the EU, the IMF
and of the Greek government have been proven blatantly wrong. In 2011,
the recession reached -6.8% of GDP (compared to the original prediction
of -2.6%!). The tri-monthly threat of Greece’s expulsion from the
eurozone is economically catastrophic, as it strengthens the
recessionary dynamic, transforming Europe into a central factor of
instability and deepening the crisis. The EU itself shapes the
conditions so that Greece is not able to fulfil its debt-related
obligations.
Those who had hoped that the crisis would be an opportunity for
rationalization and institutional renewal have by now realized that the
“reforms” help contribute to the dismantling of an already inefficient
state and, at the same time, lead to the disintegration of society. The
crisis does not affect those who have exploited the state and public
interest for decades, but the wage and salary earners (who always paid
their taxes) and the most vulnerable social strata. We are confronted
with an unprecedented process of upward redistribution of wealth and
power that undermines the European social model by exacerbating the most
extreme economic and social inequalities. The dominant discourse, both
in Greece and in Europe, is moralistic, guilt-ridden and punitive. This
strengthens nationalism, racism and xenophobia.
Both Greece and Europe are sinking into a co-dependent crisis which
illustrates not only the institutional weaknesses of the EU, but also
the dead end of neoliberal recipes. The continuation of failed policies
is not in the interest either of Greek society or of the EU and the
European taxpayers. It is only in the interest of financial capital and
of the speculators, Greek or foreign. Without growth, the repayment of
the public debt (or, at least, of its largest part) is simply
impossible. The combination of new loan packages and violent austerity
is the same as throwing money into a bottomless pit. It will lead to a
disorderly default which will affect the low and middle classes in
Greece (the rich have already sent their money abroad) as well as the
European taxpayers (who will be expected to pay the bill of resulting
destabilization of the European bank system). The rescue operation has
proven to be a farce. It is becoming a crime.
Greece and Europe are caught up in a vicious economic circle. Policy
change is necessary in order to exit it. No matter how difficult, we
must work towards a social and democratic Europe, a Europe that will
reconfirm its best historic and political values, and give a new
orientation to globalization. The solution today cannot be at the
national level, but must correspond to the scale of our continent. The
Greeks are humiliated today, and perhaps tomorrow this will be the case
for other peoples; already mistrust and hatred threaten the process of
the creation of a common European identity. This is a catastrophic
moment in European history.
The Greek crisis has significant Greek causes. Yet, it is part of a
broader crisis that is changing the foundations of the historic epoch we
live in. In this period of historical juncture the ideas of social
justice, of democracy and of human rights are at stake. The undersigned
Greek citizens invite you to join us in the creation of a strong common
front for the defense of society and of democracy. Solidarity with
Greece is a political challenge for the whole of Europe.