In its report on the threats and dangers that our planet faces (2011 Global Risks Report), the World Economic Forum confirmed a paradox: The problems that transcend national borders and which make global cooperation so inherently necessary (ecological disasters, conflicts of interests between the great powers, shift of political power towards the East) are also those that make cooperation so difficult.

By Nikos Chrysoloras

A similar paradox exists in our country: The same problems that need to be faced immediately if Greece is to overcome the crisis (lack of production, corruption and nepotism, public sector inefficiency) are the same factors that make any implementation of a solution, impossible. Therefore, any reform efforts either never materialize or end up in fiasco.

Equally paradoxical, if not ridiculous, is the fact that the same media and political system (tolerated by a large percentage of Greek society) which has led the country into ruin, is now being called upon, to act as its savior. As to why this is the case, the answer is based on the fact that the government’s institutional framework, as imprinted by the Constitution and our laws, prevents new forces emerging and protects the political and media system from criminal prosecution. Perhaps the most glaringly obvious example of this Greek paradox, is the two major shareholders in the Greek media, who despite the fact that they have let their employees literally starve for months, denounce, through the same media, the same cruel policies of the government, the Troika, Europe etc.

Under these circumstances, it is only natural that the whole country finds itself in a state of nonchalance. Despite the events of the past two years, you can still go to a (private!) hospital and the surgeon operating on you openly will openly state two prices, “one with taxes, the other without”, tax collectors, who are aware of the situation in this country better than anyone else continue unabated in their practices, the government continues to fight to keep useless organizations and bodies open (using our money). And all of this, whilst George Papandreou continues to meditate. It is therefore disturbingly apparent that very few have understood how much is at stake for our future in these hours. 

The Troika therefore is justified in its latest report: reducing per capita GDP in Greece will in fact have permanent implications. For with the absence of loans and the lack of awareness regarding the problems that we have brought upon ourselves, it is impossible that production levels in this country will ever increase. Ever!