Blog

By Major General Konstantinos Argyropoulos (ret.)

The reason for democracy in general. The subject is inexhaustible. We, its devotees, will try to delve into the concept of democracy as well as the perspective from which we observe and interpret it. Our exclusive compass is common sense. With this premise - as we believe - we will acquire an image, which without a doubt contributes mainly to our cognitive necessity.

Democracy is a political expression, which - from the facts - proves to have two sides. That is, it not only promises to solve our problems but also creates others. Of course, we need politics. However, along the way, we discover that in its application it is unpleasant to us - if not hateful. Even the most virtuous democratic leader speaking "on behalf of the people" is opposed to us the people and to our inclinations to disagree, to accuse and to abstain from any responsibility. Despite any differences in our perception of things and in our assessments of the course of the country, we ultimately converge, agreeing on the concepts of democracy, equality, solidarity, security, prosperity, as well as on a number of concepts with minor identification and therefore minimal consensus.

Here, of course, we detect various traps in the implementation of the above uncompromising and welcome concepts. And this is because, believing in democracy, which according to its statute expresses the will of the people, we ultimately find that in essence, the "will of the people" does not exist or is ignored.

Theoretically, we know and agree that democracy has advantages over other forms of government. In this regard, let us recall Winston Churchill's saying that "..democracy is the worst form of government, with the exception of all the others that have been tried over time." This saying acknowledges the disadvantages and weaknesses of democracy. Nevertheless, it emphasizes that it has the elements that make it advantageous over alternative forms of governance.

As advantages of democracy, we distinguish freedom and human rights, accountability and transparency, citizen participation, the peaceful transfer of power, equality and adaptability to the evolutionary course of society, with its needs and demands.

Of course, a common sense understands that everything is fine in theory. Its negative aspect appears in the fields of application of the advantages. The disadvantages, those that question democracy, are found in the slow decision-making, due to the slow operation of the consultation/suggestions system, mainly in crisis situations, and requiring immediate actions. The risk of populism is a disadvantage when politicians promise prosperity on issues beyond estimated success and which results in indefinite instability. Similarly, misinformation is a disadvantage when the media obey orders aimed at social disorientation. Destabilization and conflicting interests do not contribute to correct political decisions. Bureaucracy also means government rigidity and inefficiency.

A disadvantage of democracy, a dangerous and ominous determinant of the future of our own country, is when the leader overlooks the importance of the national dimension. When he disregards rationality and moral foundations. When he prioritizes his politics as an end in itself, as a practical art, aimed at strengthening his personal power due to position, seeking by all means his survival, supposedly as the democratically superior, as the supreme and indispensable leader of a mass of subjects. He is the one who considers himself the supreme ruler and final judge of all. He avoids referendums, in which the people with their democratic judgment constitute a popular interjection to be avoided.

What does the absence of people's participation entail? It entails the surrender of Macedonia to foreign formations and those who are impudently plotting against Greece. The same dangerous "democratic" disadvantage is the surrender to the Northern Epirus case, as well as the implied and unspoken traditions of our sovereign rights over Islands, exclusive economic zones and therefore maritime, sub-marine and airspace national space.

The lack of citizen participation, as well as their indifference, plays a significant role in negativity. When citizens are indifferent, then democracy is weakened, as it is unresponsive to the real needs of the people.

On the subject of "indifference", we would say that the collective interest is preferable to the individual, because stability, prosperity, social peace and security are achieved, which ultimately benefits the individual, as a result of a harmonious environment. Collective intelligence allows for more innovations and technological development, resulting in the improvement of everyone's standard of living. Collective sustainable practice protects the environment, the economy and social structures for today and for the future. Finally, collective effort is the fundamental factor that reduces -in a positive way- the effects of threats, risks and crises.

On the contrary, if an individual acts exclusively based on personal interest, because he feels insecure, does not trust others and believes that the world is a "zero-sum" game, where the success of one implies the failure of another, then this indicates individualistic behavior and which is clearly unacceptable. The "on corpses" obvious way to achieve individual interests is also considered unacceptable. When the individual is distinguished by an individualistic culture and lack of moral barriers, then the factor of the rule of law is weakened. Especially in our Greek society, this phenomenon causes dissatisfaction and ominous collective consequences.

In general, in this country of ours, we lack a timeless strategy. We operate bureaucratically, we follow a clientelistic system with consequent corruption, we fall into political polarization, a lack of cooperation, without professionalism, without meritocracy, without trust in the political system. And worst of all(?) we depend on foreign factors.

What a humiliating condition for a nation, once proud!

All of this does not indicate a country that is moving in the right direction, as a proper democracy promises.

All of this points to us, its silent citizens, as the tolerant ones for everything and for everything. The quality of this silence is painful for those governed by a certain mindset, envisioning a world as our ancient ancestors had placed it in the consciousness of advanced minds everywhere.

The destruction of Greece is proportional to our cowardice in openly publicly highlighting those who are in trouble, for a desirable Greek re-establishment.