Greek society is in need of some seriously deep soul-searching and self-evaluation. Cultural barriers have to be crossed and ethical values have to be re-assessed as fiscal responsibility in a free and democratic society lies in the hands of the voting public and not just in its elected representatives.It is this long look-into-the-mirror approach which every Greek citizen has a moral responsibility to undertake individually. It's time...
for every Mitso, Spyro and Maria to understand that they form the social, cultural and economic backbone of Greek society and it is their actions which determine the direction of such a society.
Isocrates had argued that the democracy established in Athens was designed to be impartial and create better citizens: “For those who directed the state in the time of Solon and Cleisthenes did not establish a polity which in name merely was hailed as the most impartial and the mildest of governments, while in practice showing itself the opposite to those who lived under it, nor one which trained the citizens in such fashion that they looked upon insolence as democracy, lawlessness as liberty, impudence of speech as equality, and license to do what they pleased as happiness, but rather a polity which detested and punished such men and by so doing made all the citizens better and wiser.” (Speech 7 Areopagiticus par. 20)
Are the Greek people up to the task? Or are they willing to be corralled by the cut throat policies of the IMF insensitive to individuals' rights and fundamental freedoms?
It's not too late. The EU-IMF mechanism can be used to Greece's advantage. Greeks have to step-up and control it. Or it will control them.
Georgios Gialtouridis
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