The recent impact of far-right political parties in Greece is often attributed to broad-based internal cultural and social attitudes rooted in intolerance and populism. With this perception in mind, Vassilis Paipais writes that Greece’s current predicament is better understood as a result of a leadership deficit in addressing the deep economic crisis which the country is facing and the stresses of a half decade of recession. He argues that the Greek political elite, which has remained largely unchanged and unchallenged since the advent of the crisis, is hindering any hope for genuine political and economic progress in the country.
Respected commentators of domestic politics in Greece often point to the rise of extremism in the country in the form of radical right-wing formations, such as the infamous Golden Dawn, by citing the lack of a deep culture of tolerance in the country, its incomplete democratisation or the deeply entrenched populist sentiments of the average Greek. The argument here tends to be that there is something profoundly rotten in the Greek collective psyche, something that cannot simply be reduced to the dire social and economic conditions caused by the austerity measures and their prolonged recessionary effects. Other countries are experiencing similar circumstances, the argument goes on, including rising debt levels, dismal or negative growth and high unemployment, but have not witnessed such an upsurge in right-wing extremism. The explanation provided here is that Greece represents a peculiar case of a backward country with weak institutions, an embedded culture of intolerance and third-world levels of populism, corruption and clientelism.
I would have no quarrel with such claims, if only they were not running the risk of offering simply a symptomatic reading of the situation and thus becoming involuntarily complicit to the very evils they would like to eliminate. What is often neglected or insufficiently acknowledged in such kind of modernist analyses is that the uniqueness of the Greek case does not arise from the ‘arrested development’ of the Greek political culture but from the sustained practices of specific (not nameless) political forces that have governed the country over the last 40 years.
One should not forget (although it is not openly admitted) that the Greek republic has practically gone bankrupt without the culprits (through deeds or omissions) of the country’s disgraceful collapse having ever been convicted, let alone prosecuted. Indeed, to add insult to injury, some of the prominent political figures that share a great deal of responsibility for the country’s current woes are still in power or remain unaccountable, enjoying the protection and respect of a political class that seems to have lost touch with reality.
It is often said about the Greek case that the real problem of the country is not economic but political. A demoralised political elite has been called upon to deliver a grand scale programme of reforms that involves changes the mainstream parties do not believe in or begrudgingly carry out. The existing coalition between PASOK (centre-right party) and ND (centre-left party) is under constraints by its European partners to fulfil its promises for structural reforms, i.e. liberalisation of the labour market, changes in the tax system and further cuts in public spending through the restructuring of a not necessarily overbloated but surely dysfunctional public sector.
Yet, the Greek political system seems to be playing a game of cat and mouse with the troika, essentially fighting rear guard battles in order to avoid hurting the clientelistic networks that have sustained it for so long. This is undeniably a short-sighted strategy, but few would expect more from political parties characterised by inertia, regime-like mentality and a sense of immunity and unaccountability.
The Greek population, frustrated by five consecutive years of depression, the repeated refutation of reform pledges and the pathetic chorus of media propaganda that sounds increasingly hollow to their ears has developed a growingly eerie feeling of entrapment and despair. The opposition represented by the leftist party SYRIZA does not seem able to capitalise on the poor performance of the government policies nor build a wider coalition on the basis of a reliable roadmap out of the crisis. Voters seem almost instinctively reluctant to trust the nebulous promises and obscure proposals of the leader of the opposition Alexis Tsipras. What is often lamented by political commentators is that, despite its rhetoric, SYRIZA has not until now convinced a critical mass of the population that it stands for a true ‘anti-systemic’ party able to offer a viable alternative to the present stalemate rather than a reproduction of past impasses.
As far as the forces of the so-called ‘moderate Centre’ or ‘the pro-European coalition’ is concerned, they equally seem to be in disarray. PASOK is confronted with the prospect of utter disaster in the next elections, as its electoral appeal seems to be steadily dwindling, while ND is worried that, after the next elections, there will be no responsible centre-left partner to form a government with. The anxiety from the lack of a viable third pole between SYRIZA and ND is so intense at the moment that several experiments are under way, such as the recent ‘Manifesto of the 58’ signed by a number of moderate and reform-minded luminaries of the centre-left.
Despite the good intentions and the line-up of eminent personalities, the declaration still seeks a compromise with the existing uninspiring elite, which is unwilling to sever links with a tainted past. It is hardly accidental, for instance, that the document was positively received by the current PASOK leader and other former party cadres that enjoy very low popularity and convey limited confidence, not necessarily because they harbour anti-populist feelings but, more likely, because they have been tried before in positions of power and have failed to deliver any significant changes. A political system in despair regurgitates the same disqualified structures, recycling the same discredited individuals in the hope that society won’t notice.
This is the true political predicament or, one might say, the tragedy that has propelled Golden Dawn up to 13 per cent in the polls before the arrest of its leaders, and which is currently sustaining it in the third place, even after the revelations of its criminal activities. Greek society is witness to the chameleonic transformations of a blocked and unrepentant political system that impedes genuine political change while not taking full responsibility for the country’s stagnating productivity, skyrocketing unemployment, surging social crisis, lack of accountability and world-wide defamation.
The majority of reform-minded, progressive Greeks can hardly be duped by the tricks and opportunism of an ailing establishment that refuses to step down and let the corrupt entanglements that hold the country captive be dismantled. Let us not forget that populism in itself can be either forward-looking, if it turns against rigid structures and articulates progressive political demands, or regressive, as in the case of the Greek political establishment’s endemic attachment to practices that sustain clientelism and crony capitalism.
Rather than the lack of education and cultural capital or some inherent Greek predilection to racism and intolerance (if one has a look at the composition of Golden Dawn’s electoral appeal, one may regrettably discover that it is largely supported by middle-class, relatively well-educated, usually jobless young adults), it is the absence of genuine political alternatives that fuels the desperation of the electorate. Unless the channels to an authentic, non-manipulated political change in the country are unblocked, egregious phenomena such as the rise and activities of Golden Dawn should not surprise anyone. Not least of all the European creditor countries that not only seem to insist on an austerity programme that defeats its own purpose, but have a willy-nilly reliance on a lame duck for its implementation, i.e. the same elite which is responsible for the country’s demise.
This article originally appeared at LSE’s Euro Crisis in the Press blog
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Note: This article gives the views of the author, and not the position of EUROPP – European Politics and Policy, nor of the London School of Economics.
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Vassilis Paipais – University of St Andrews
Vassilis Paipais is Lecturer in International Relations at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the LSE. He has published in the Review of International Studies and International Politics and held various teaching posts at the LSE, SOAS, UCL and the University of Edinburgh. His work focuses on International Relations theory and international political theology. He is a co-founder of Euro Crisis in the Press and Associate to the LSE IDEAS Southern Europe International Affairs programme.
Thank you for an interesting article. I would like to note that we are facing a phenomenon that requires further explanation. Why do the disaffected turn to the extreme right? Why the social dynamics of Greece have not created yet a new political system? It is rather alarming that although both options were open a priori, only one, the extreme right, was chosen and followed. Unless we consider the initiative of the 58 as something credible. In my view it may very well be, but it is too little, tool late.
Let be honest, many of Greece’s problems are of its own making, corruption, politicians offering lots of jobs to the state sector just to secure getting re-elected. People not paying their taxes and state money being wasted with gross inefficiency
All this was going on for many, many years long before the euro crisis erupted. Now the Greeks want some one to blame and try to blame the ECB, IMF, and Merkel for all their economic problems?
Maybe these are some of the reasons why Greeks are turning to the extreme right.
I believe the rise is also due to the large influx of legal and illegal immigrants, from 3rd world countries, that burden the country’s infrastructure.
Greece is a gateway, with a porous border, into the EU, and shoulder’s the brunt of immigrants from 3rd world countries with cultures very foreign to Greek and Western values – do not forget that Greece is the ‘Cradle of Democracy’ and ‘Christianity’.
There is a fear of “Ethnic Cleansing” of the endogenous population/Culture. Greece is not a multi culture State and the Greeks feel a threat to their way of life coming from out
History teaches us lessons: The ‘Barbarians’ felled Roman Empire and with it, its civilization; the Saxons essential ethnically cleansed the Briton’s when 200,000, in a population of 7 million, of them invaded and the endogenous men where either forced to leave or killed; today 90% ofEnglish male DNA is Saxon (Germanic) cleansing out the earlier ethnic Briton DNA.
Greece is a sovereign Christian country that is suffering economically and yet the EU dictates that tax payers must build a mosques for the mostly illegal muslims entering the country; that tax money is needed to feed its children and fuel its schools.
There should be no surprise at the backlash toward foreigners and support for a party that mirrors these views but unfortunately, the only party that reflects the sentiment of the Greek people, is the Golden Dawn.
Ms Yvette Jarvis, a black American from Brooklyn who came and lived in Greece had the gall to actively campaign for citizenship for these folks living in Greece, especially for African’s; she is quoted as saying it is a ‘Human Rights’ issue to be granted Greek citizenship. It is NOT. It is a Human Right’s issue to be treated with dignity, not be exploited, maltreated, etc. but there is NO ENTITLEMENT, to citizenship, Unlike other European countries that had modern day empires and colonized others, modern Greece has no obligations to accept outsiders. Greece is a small nation wanting to keep its sovereignty. Visitors are welcome as long as long as they DO NOT try to impose upon their host country, demand rights not entitled to, impact the host countries resources and infrastructure, displace Greeks in welfare benefits, increase crime, etc.
Unfortunately, immigration trends in Greece is from 3rd world countries, with little western civilization values, and it undermines the host country’s ethnic fabric.
Is there a wonder that a party like Golden Dawn has risen, with its Nazi like behaviors? The other political parties should ‘read’ the causes of Golden Dawn’s popularity and implications and implement a sound policy in dealing with the immigration and sovereignty concerns with the problem.
Greece has a right to Ethnic Sovereignty and has no obligations to these hoards of 3rd world immigrants, that provide little benefit to the host country, but is an economic burden, clamoring at its borders.
When I visited Lebanon in the 1960’s it was a a Christian nation. The country was as Western as any European country with history, culture, beautiful hotels, clean wide streets, etc. It also had an incredible education system with the ‘American University’ ranked as one of the top in the world. Beirut was named the ‘Paris of the Middle East’. You could go up to the mountains and fine state of the art ski resorts. It slowly got infiltrated by the islamist and turned Lebanon into a mostly muslim country and with it the demise of its standing as a first world country into somewhat of a 3rd world country. Beware of the influence and impact that immigration poses on the host country.
Look at what ‘immigration’ (colonization) from the Europeans on the New World and wits impact on the endogenous Native Americans. It ‘ethnically cleansed’ them into a minority status. The only redeeming factor was that at least the influence was from a ‘civilized’ area that could provide some benefits bringing the idea of Democracy and Constitutional rights (eventually) to the New World. It does not excuse what it did to the endogenous people. There are other examples in history where the ‘invaders’ spread civilization in ancient times, such as the spread of Hellenism by Alexander the Great into Egypt and other countries. It spread literature, philosophy and science, etc. The Roman Empire did a lot of atrocious acts but it also spread benefits such as roads, aqueducts, language, etc within its empire. The point is whether the spread of cultures have a positive of negative impact on the endogenous population.
The main stream parties should address the fears of Greeks (who have a ‘Right’ to their Cultural and Ethnic Sovereignty, IN A HUMANE WAY, and Golden Dawn will disappear.