Again, we have got some populist powerplayers in charge of our country. This is normal. It is due to a deficient recruitment system which is lacking approriately structured selection criteria in order to identify the right person for the right job. And this is a serious error in emerging Europe. A continent with the ambition to play a leading role in spreading the idea of a good balance between freedom and welfare across the globe.
We should not oversimplify such difficult issues. We should be honest. Europe needs its well educated and informed elite. But Europe in some respect surprisingly antielitist when it comes to accepting progress on the arena of competence integration. Let's see what happens now. The Swedish Social Democrats have recently been replaced by a liberal coalition led by Fredrik Reinfeldt. I met him in Waxholm a sunny Saturday in the Stockholm archipelago where he had a wide audience. Swedes were tired of socialist mismanagement and failure to target their action towards the real cause of the problem that they were hiding, the high unemployment rate at the point of a strong economy. A system failure due to rigidity not too difficult to diagnose. Why this fatigue of the old government? Natural causes? Instead a young vibrant group around Reinfeldt seemed able to address the real concerns of people, to overcome the collectivist chimera (a formula for remedy of any ailment) and focus on the individual. And they won the game, despite considerable inexperience in governance. We'll see how it works. The initial enthusiasm was cooled off quickly once he faced reality: the disclosure of the defects of Reinfeldt's chosen ministers. Actually this was to be expected. Although his ideas are strong and resonant they may prove more difficult to actually make the program of the Alliance come to life within the scope of only a four year mandate. That is their key problem, but it is only one among many.
Who can listen? That is the key. The new Alliance was admirably adaptive running for the election. But it takes another kind of gut to lead the country. You have to have the capacities both as an attentive conductor listening to the whole orchestra and an analytic doctor skilled in diagnose and surgery. To combine both analytic and integrative skills with a populist antielitism based on fear does not provide the best recipe for successful government. We will see.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Saturday, October 29, 2005
The Nordic Arena for a Caring Eurostyle takes Passion and Intellect
This is in fact what Maurizio Ferrera suggests in his discussion paper on "The Caring Dimension of Europe", a handout to the convening EU ministers at Hampton Court recently: "To make it more visible and more vigorous" he suggests - and this is an important point - the focus should be on children who are our promise and the key to any forthcoming European future. Indeed so. This is foresight. And more. But there is a far distance to cross until we (and especially the children) approach the rosy playing garden of the Northern Eden promised by Joakim Palme, in "Why the Scandinavian Experience is Revelvant for the Reform of ESM". Perhaps I am wrong and utopia is here. I need to return to that issue.
My title is a compilation. It essentially states that The present Nordic Arena for a Caring Eurostyle would take more Passion and Intellect than we currently see to convince our neighbors as the most widely espoused European model par préférance. A synergy, yes, composed from the great Eurostyle paper by Johan P Olsen at the Oslo ARENA and the symposium on Passion and Intellect for Björn Wittrock 60th birthday at SCASSS in Uppsala. I do not draw so many news from "The Nordic Model - a Recipe for European Success?" by Carlos B Schubert and Hans Martens at the Brussels policy think tank (EPC), perhaps somewhat more conventional as a report of the issue at stake on the agenda for ministers at Hampton Court. Perhaps I need to reconsider this, elaborate my opinion and come back to it also.
A few notes from the Dag Hammarskjöld Symposium at the Royal Library in Stockholm and briefly on the talk by Chris Patten at Stockholm School of Economics on invitation by SIPRI:
Contributors at the Hammarskjöld centennary recently pointed to the lack of great leadership in our time. My interpretation is that it is getting increasingly hard to find people who are able and willing to reconcile (on a personal plane) the inherent incompatibility between adherent loyalty to populist ideals and the sacrifice required on the prefabricated career ladder. The prospect of becoming chopped up by news hunters who feed the roaring media beast with fresh meat does not attract everyone. There is a void of expressive ideals that manifest what people are capable of feeling. We suffer a deficit of emotional mobilization which means we cultivate a denial of feelings- it can be seen as a sign or symptom of the disease that afflicts Europe. Something that moves her out of her comfort zone is lacking. Thus her lethargy. Making policy an attractive career for talents seems to be the really great challenge for society today.
Humans are not machines and physiology is more complex than mechanics. To convince yourselves, take a look at the richness of their underlying models and patterns of interaction. Neither do we remain in the stoneage. This is part of what I meant to say there, in Symphony for Peace for choir and orchestra with a poem from Markings (W.H. Auden's translation of Vägmärken) by Dag Hammarkjöld. Someone might have noticed that. And understood the significance of his Credo among other self-explanitory implications needless to state.
After Chris Patten's brilliantly focused lecture on European peace policy I asked him about what a lack of common values might mean to the cohesion of a European identity. Just in the event of increased pressure during some of the many possible global crises that might turn up around next corner this might be a relevant question. He replied "I believe we need to preach tolerance". I agree, at least as an external policy in reference to the issue of Turkey, but persist in worrying about the internal shakiness of any European union that fails to reinforce and cultivate its very ground. It needs to get more anchored in the cultural identity and values that we share. My stance is quite pragmatic, and, at this point, with a glance at the viability and stress resilience which is the true test of the whole EU project. And the fear among our leaders to respond to the need for a much more central and constitutive role of cultural values at the bottom of the continental construct. That is not incompatible with the open foreign policy that Chris Patten advocates. Foreign countries need to get to know clearly what Europe stands for, what in fact the core European values are, so they can position themselves in relation to their own strategies (and relate to those of ours).
It might appear as a surprise to you but the choice of Beethoven 9th symphony as the European hymn might well prove to be seen as the best decision made until today by the Brussels bureaucracy. We need a stronger Europe where people feel eager to mobilize their passion for the core ideal that formed us. If they share it they'll defend it. Chris Patten thinks it is impossible or, at least will not take place in his lifetime. Neither mine. I think it would be possible. With passion and intellect. A rare combination indeed. And a badly needed antivirus against an epidemic that arrived already long ago.
Part of the key to the problem might not, however, reside so far from Oxford as one might have thought. Don't forget that sources of cultural inspiration are not needed only as entertainment but can also be converted to energy and mobilized as resources when building imaginary architectures such as symphonic organisations. I guess Beethoven knew something that the administrators of Europe would need someone to help them understand down there in Brussels. To learn to listen. It is the real art among arts, also between humans. And interpret what you hear sensitively and with sense. To feel the harmony out of a web of voices, a mark of quality in the chorus of all societal integration.
Chris Patten talked convincingly and with a warm emphasis about his working relation with Anna Lindh, about her commitment and devotion to get things done. Until next, let me consult the bookshelves of the new Anna Lindh library in Stockholm to see if I find any variations on this theme. I think the answers are more likely to appear on the processing side because it all hinges on the way we bring our observations into context, integrate our views across programs and disciplines, and anchor our ideas in values while attending to their roots in both ourselves and others. In their lives and in mine. Just to make that key identification happen. We miss her. Once she liked my idea, but had little time, due to her obligations on an full agenda. This was a sign of her true dedication. Thank you.
My title is a compilation. It essentially states that The present Nordic Arena for a Caring Eurostyle would take more Passion and Intellect than we currently see to convince our neighbors as the most widely espoused European model par préférance. A synergy, yes, composed from the great Eurostyle paper by Johan P Olsen at the Oslo ARENA and the symposium on Passion and Intellect for Björn Wittrock 60th birthday at SCASSS in Uppsala. I do not draw so many news from "The Nordic Model - a Recipe for European Success?" by Carlos B Schubert and Hans Martens at the Brussels policy think tank (EPC), perhaps somewhat more conventional as a report of the issue at stake on the agenda for ministers at Hampton Court. Perhaps I need to reconsider this, elaborate my opinion and come back to it also.
A few notes from the Dag Hammarskjöld Symposium at the Royal Library in Stockholm and briefly on the talk by Chris Patten at Stockholm School of Economics on invitation by SIPRI:
Contributors at the Hammarskjöld centennary recently pointed to the lack of great leadership in our time. My interpretation is that it is getting increasingly hard to find people who are able and willing to reconcile (on a personal plane) the inherent incompatibility between adherent loyalty to populist ideals and the sacrifice required on the prefabricated career ladder. The prospect of becoming chopped up by news hunters who feed the roaring media beast with fresh meat does not attract everyone. There is a void of expressive ideals that manifest what people are capable of feeling. We suffer a deficit of emotional mobilization which means we cultivate a denial of feelings- it can be seen as a sign or symptom of the disease that afflicts Europe. Something that moves her out of her comfort zone is lacking. Thus her lethargy. Making policy an attractive career for talents seems to be the really great challenge for society today.
Humans are not machines and physiology is more complex than mechanics. To convince yourselves, take a look at the richness of their underlying models and patterns of interaction. Neither do we remain in the stoneage. This is part of what I meant to say there, in Symphony for Peace for choir and orchestra with a poem from Markings (W.H. Auden's translation of Vägmärken) by Dag Hammarkjöld. Someone might have noticed that. And understood the significance of his Credo among other self-explanitory implications needless to state.
After Chris Patten's brilliantly focused lecture on European peace policy I asked him about what a lack of common values might mean to the cohesion of a European identity. Just in the event of increased pressure during some of the many possible global crises that might turn up around next corner this might be a relevant question. He replied "I believe we need to preach tolerance". I agree, at least as an external policy in reference to the issue of Turkey, but persist in worrying about the internal shakiness of any European union that fails to reinforce and cultivate its very ground. It needs to get more anchored in the cultural identity and values that we share. My stance is quite pragmatic, and, at this point, with a glance at the viability and stress resilience which is the true test of the whole EU project. And the fear among our leaders to respond to the need for a much more central and constitutive role of cultural values at the bottom of the continental construct. That is not incompatible with the open foreign policy that Chris Patten advocates. Foreign countries need to get to know clearly what Europe stands for, what in fact the core European values are, so they can position themselves in relation to their own strategies (and relate to those of ours).
It might appear as a surprise to you but the choice of Beethoven 9th symphony as the European hymn might well prove to be seen as the best decision made until today by the Brussels bureaucracy. We need a stronger Europe where people feel eager to mobilize their passion for the core ideal that formed us. If they share it they'll defend it. Chris Patten thinks it is impossible or, at least will not take place in his lifetime. Neither mine. I think it would be possible. With passion and intellect. A rare combination indeed. And a badly needed antivirus against an epidemic that arrived already long ago.
Part of the key to the problem might not, however, reside so far from Oxford as one might have thought. Don't forget that sources of cultural inspiration are not needed only as entertainment but can also be converted to energy and mobilized as resources when building imaginary architectures such as symphonic organisations. I guess Beethoven knew something that the administrators of Europe would need someone to help them understand down there in Brussels. To learn to listen. It is the real art among arts, also between humans. And interpret what you hear sensitively and with sense. To feel the harmony out of a web of voices, a mark of quality in the chorus of all societal integration.
Chris Patten talked convincingly and with a warm emphasis about his working relation with Anna Lindh, about her commitment and devotion to get things done. Until next, let me consult the bookshelves of the new Anna Lindh library in Stockholm to see if I find any variations on this theme. I think the answers are more likely to appear on the processing side because it all hinges on the way we bring our observations into context, integrate our views across programs and disciplines, and anchor our ideas in values while attending to their roots in both ourselves and others. In their lives and in mine. Just to make that key identification happen. We miss her. Once she liked my idea, but had little time, due to her obligations on an full agenda. This was a sign of her true dedication. Thank you.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
What options for a Nordic identity do we have?
With the British backing off from a referendum on the EU constitution people around Europe, from north to south and east to west, ask themselves what dimension of their sense of European identity can provide the supportive base for the shared constitution. A constitution for a continent is not a political or administrative producte. It should be anchored in the depth of the minds and touch the innermost feelings of what we are and what it means to be European. It is also a necessary vision for the future - about how we want to see the world develop and how we feel we want to help it evolve. Not only the directions and dimensions needs to be addressed and manifested by cultural symbols - as we see today in Sweden and Norway. Carl Bildt gives you the details behind today's celebration in his comments "June 6 and Sweden" at http://bildt.blogspot.com . And Björn Lindahl presents - in Svenska Dagbladet June 7 - an important analysis of the economic synergy that both countries can enjoy by a closer exchange. The article also covers the role of the Swedish Wallenberg family in financing major infrastructure investments at a time when Norway had to recover from deep problems.
The point is that you can cut the cake in two ways: there is the north-south dimension but also the 'transversal' east-west dimension, an alikeness in latitude and perhaps mentality - if due to history and climate alike I leave it to you to decide. And that it would be useful and give a more sustainable result to keep much more of these delineations on the cultureal map in mind when drawing the constitution for Europe. The jerk reflex that ministers fear most is notheing but a natural reaction against a premature proposal and a development driven by agendas beyond peoples' sense of all too hastily constructed and too grandious identity. A constitution must be a solution to problems so specific and concrete that they are felt as a reality in the tiniest corners of citizens' kitchen. This is why grand visions are dangerous if not really supported by the powerful emotions that a sense of identity can provoke.
The point is that you can cut the cake in two ways: there is the north-south dimension but also the 'transversal' east-west dimension, an alikeness in latitude and perhaps mentality - if due to history and climate alike I leave it to you to decide. And that it would be useful and give a more sustainable result to keep much more of these delineations on the cultureal map in mind when drawing the constitution for Europe. The jerk reflex that ministers fear most is notheing but a natural reaction against a premature proposal and a development driven by agendas beyond peoples' sense of all too hastily constructed and too grandious identity. A constitution must be a solution to problems so specific and concrete that they are felt as a reality in the tiniest corners of citizens' kitchen. This is why grand visions are dangerous if not really supported by the powerful emotions that a sense of identity can provoke.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Nordic values and European (dis)integration
The rejection of a shared EU constitution by French and Dutch voters is not a surprise. At last, public discontent evokes some suspended self-reflection on what kind of identity Europe should build and further develop. The public mood injects some fresh blood in the blue veins of an anemic bureaucracy. The French people are known in many's perception to act emotionally. And their intuition guide them to express the critique in a way that they feel would protect their interests as far or narrow as they see them. The scope needs to broaden. Or the problem will spread to the Nordic countries where barely a majority would support the idea if asked.
The Swedish government has decided not to ask its people. How can this be explained. Is the system of policy-making no longer a real democracy in its original sense of the word? Or, one could reveal the truth about the ambiguousness of Scandinavian mentality - that it is both egalitarian ("folkligt") and at the same time very hierarchic. This is partly due to our Nordic historical heritage. Hierarchy has often been the glue that holds elitism so firmly together. Good or bad?
The radicalness of political movements in Sweden is always somehow held back by a very deep sense of historical anchorage. After all the Scandinavian countries are all (except Finland) old kingdoms. How can this fact play a role in modern society? There are always many alternatives and we need to select carefully the system of governance and its value criteria for our emergin Europe - as longa as we want it to keep together. And the alternative to that proved catastrophic!
The focus of EU has been very much on the enlargement of the Union to comprise the whole European continent and more. But this proved a dangerous play. Meanwhile, emotions are aired that work against integration because the political leaders have not seen the need for local anchorage in tradition. Even worse, the lack of a deeply felt European identity is a core problem.
There is a great cultural tradition which has formed European identity. But this tradition is not addressed by modern policy-makers. It is an imbalance. But there is a remedy. It will take a lot of time to forge that mentality and make the cohesive forces to dominate over disruption.
It is not an easy equation at a point when Europe is lagging behind in economic growth and challenged by the tiger economies in China and Asia including India.
I need to add some specific items to illustrate my general idea of the special Nordic contribution to the European ideals. What are these? Where do they, the ideals come from? What prompted their evolution, how can they be developed further? How can new connections of old phenomena create new paths? What complicates/facilitates cohesion and empathy? Imperialism and colonialism are failed projects of the past. In the interest of a new Europe, what view of the human being might be drawn up?
But there are solutions. For those who see them. Or hear and listen to them, should it be a matter of social cognition where music helps you attain the insights needed to arrive at and reach a better conclusion. This is not just oldfashioned idealism which imparted its ideas onto a resistant reality. This is a way to listen to hear the vibration we share from inside to outside and sense the symphony our lives create as we go along in the world.
I invite you to come back to that issue.
The Swedish government has decided not to ask its people. How can this be explained. Is the system of policy-making no longer a real democracy in its original sense of the word? Or, one could reveal the truth about the ambiguousness of Scandinavian mentality - that it is both egalitarian ("folkligt") and at the same time very hierarchic. This is partly due to our Nordic historical heritage. Hierarchy has often been the glue that holds elitism so firmly together. Good or bad?
The radicalness of political movements in Sweden is always somehow held back by a very deep sense of historical anchorage. After all the Scandinavian countries are all (except Finland) old kingdoms. How can this fact play a role in modern society? There are always many alternatives and we need to select carefully the system of governance and its value criteria for our emergin Europe - as longa as we want it to keep together. And the alternative to that proved catastrophic!
The focus of EU has been very much on the enlargement of the Union to comprise the whole European continent and more. But this proved a dangerous play. Meanwhile, emotions are aired that work against integration because the political leaders have not seen the need for local anchorage in tradition. Even worse, the lack of a deeply felt European identity is a core problem.
There is a great cultural tradition which has formed European identity. But this tradition is not addressed by modern policy-makers. It is an imbalance. But there is a remedy. It will take a lot of time to forge that mentality and make the cohesive forces to dominate over disruption.
It is not an easy equation at a point when Europe is lagging behind in economic growth and challenged by the tiger economies in China and Asia including India.
I need to add some specific items to illustrate my general idea of the special Nordic contribution to the European ideals. What are these? Where do they, the ideals come from? What prompted their evolution, how can they be developed further? How can new connections of old phenomena create new paths? What complicates/facilitates cohesion and empathy? Imperialism and colonialism are failed projects of the past. In the interest of a new Europe, what view of the human being might be drawn up?
But there are solutions. For those who see them. Or hear and listen to them, should it be a matter of social cognition where music helps you attain the insights needed to arrive at and reach a better conclusion. This is not just oldfashioned idealism which imparted its ideas onto a resistant reality. This is a way to listen to hear the vibration we share from inside to outside and sense the symphony our lives create as we go along in the world.
I invite you to come back to that issue.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)