The banality of politics Become
I.
Hannah Arendt made clear good and evil is banal (1964, The Banality of Evil, trans. Com. Feltrinelli, Milano, 1964 (Rest. 2009)) showing that the active participation in great atrocity does not stem from some kind of "diversity" of the human soul, but by common mode of appeasement to the psychological power. In fact even before Arendt's tendency to irrational submission to authority, by people who grew up in families normally insensitive " was the subject of psychological studies (see Wilhelm Reich, 1946-reprint, corrected and expanded, Script 1933 - Mass Psychology of Fascism , trans. com. Sugar, Milan, 1972, cf. also various studies of the Frankfurt School and several American psychologists on the "authoritarian personality"). The evil is so banal and cruelty is, unfortunately, normal. Is not determined by archangels "fallen" seducing some exceptional human beings, but derives from a widespread fear against deep emotions (especially, of course, of those painful). This normal and mundane "lack of emotional contact" means in human relations not "authentic", poor empathy and this translates, in turn, easily, in forms of cruelty.
The "evil" is not, therefore, represented only by professional killers or torturers of a police state, but from the fathers who "work hard" and that "do not have time to think about certain things" and mothers living hating husbands and demolishing their image before the eyes of children. The trouble stems from the fear of feeling deep needs of children in family relations without love and generally "poor" on an emotional level. He maintains that these children grow up with the idea of \u200b\u200bnot being able to manage the pain and want to live feeling little. Is strengthened when those who feel they just entered the world of work, or build a family or taking positions of responsibility. End up socially relevant effects when people with a heart now "off" and ambitions appear to be "trustworthy" so many people emotionally obtuse and obtain positions of power in politics.
If we consider the darkest periods of history, characterized by the rise of reactionary forces (as in Nazi-fascism in Europe and South American dictatorships), the bureaucratic authoritarian revolutionary processes (as in Soviet Russia), the institutionalization of theocracies idiotic (as in our historical Papal States and the Islamic fundamentalists were away) we recorded the meeting between the programs openly violent el'ottusa acquiescence of the masses. "If you think many of us, it will be true", "If everybody does it, how can I oppose?", "Honey, trust the teacher."
There is a kind of "Emotional selection" of political figures in addition to selected customers or mafia: the most political figures are "poor" and "trivial", more like the electorate "average." It gloating on TV saying shit and become responsible for the destiny of a nation or become responsible (in fact, "irresponsible") opposition to corrupt governments and indifferent to the dignity of human beings.
If evil is banal because it is a human product "ordinary", the policy operated at the highest levels by people like the "people's TV" is easily a policy trivial, banal producing misery and offenses to human dignity.
What hurts more is the fact that there is social injustice, political corruption and that there are governments who administer the iniquity. This fact is obvious: the presence of evil inevitably becomes injustice Social, political organization and ideology of anything criminal. What does not seem obvious, but unfortunately that is everyday life, the banality of the programs is "alternative" political forces "democratic left."
When they do their best, the "forces of good" leaving initiatives arrogance of power and express their "strongly objected" in a total vacuum of alternative ideas. They do their best, then, according to the trailer of evil (even contradicting). But not always do their best. They also do their worst. And in this respect I am not referring primarily to the "betrayal" of the manifest stated values (Corruption also left or unholy pacts in the name of the "least worst"), but I refer to the "sins of omission" in the prospect of a different society.
Political "banal leftist" alternative perspectives are reduced to a better administration of existing company. Trivially voters are left entirely reasonable such proposals. And so the Left or lose elections or govern in a "generally weak" laying the foundations for subsequent electoral defeats. "The evil that circulates in society often stems from a misunderstanding: it feels right because 'you have not done anything wrong,' because you do not have any responsibility. But the major fault in this: men are hurt not because it hurt but because they remain ignorant of one another. And this attitude leaves no room for those who perpetrate the very evil "(S. Natoli, 2006, The absolute evil - Nihilism in the Twentieth Century and idols , Morcelliana, Brescia, p. 64).
What is lacking in the social, cultural and political "progressive" is in fact the initiative to get involved in imagining a better world, to propose themes of "uncomfortable", not "discounted", in devising a policy to measurement needs deep person. What good is it if the policy does not protect in the social development potential of all people? The policy of "new" Imagine if you need news and whether it will ensure a truly dignified life for all the material level, but above all a decent living on even less coarse.
However, today, the better society prefigured the progressive forces of shit this is a company with less serious injustices.
Even those who reject a society where human life is worth less than the profits of a bank is afraid to imagine a world based on other values: a world as a community of people and as an organization volta a tutelare la dignità di tutti (che include il diritto di fare la spesa, ma che non si riduce a tale opportunità). Un mondo misurato sulla qualità della vita delle persone e non solo sullo stato complessivo dell’economia.
Già Robert Kennedy aveva affermato che il PIL non è un autentico indicatore del benessere. “ Non possiamo misurare lo spirito nazionale sulla base dell'indice Dow Jones né i successi del Paese sulla base del Prodotto Interno Lordo. (…) Il PIL non tiene conto della salute delle nostre famiglie, della qualità della loro educazione e della gioia dei loro momenti di svago (...). Non tiene conto della giustizia dei nostri tribunali, or fairness of relations between us. Measures neither our wit nor our courage neither our wisdom nor our learning neither our compassion. It measures everything except that which makes life worth living "(from speech delivered March 18, 1968 at Kansas University).
More recently the Human Development Reports of the United Nations Development Programme have started to contemplate among the indicators of quality of life of less reductive and partial factors of GDP, and between these various aspects of society in ways that indicate more the appropriate level of development and the quality of life in different countries. "The Care of Children, the elderly and people with mental and physical disabilities are a significant part of the work that needs to be done in every society, moreover, in most societies, they are a source of injustice. Any theory of justice needs to think about these problems from the outset in the planning of basic institutions, especially in his conception of primary goods "(MC Nussbaum, Social justice and human dignity , trans. It . 2002, Il Mulino, Bologna, p. 112). "Often, income and assets are considered the main criterion for assessing the human success. Proposing a radical shift in the center of interest by means to effective opportunities the person, the capabilities approach is to radically change the customary evaluation schemes which uses a large part of economic and social analysis "(A. Sen, 2009, The idea of \u200b\u200bJustice, trans. com. Mondadori, Milan, 2010).
Tap these issues is to attribute responsibility to society generally discharged on families, assign a value to the leisure of the citizens, promote different ways of management of everyday life, protect rights not generally recognized.
What plunges into a deep despair is the fact that if tomorrow, our country could govern in a coalition of democratic parties and the left, we would (as has already happened) with a government without projects. The bureaucrats of progress take a few months to clear all the shame-laws in recent years to restore a modicum of legality, and that this would be a good work, however, would bring us back to the company of shit a few years ago. And then? Any extension of unemployment benefits? Some reasonable deduction? Some incentive to reduce unemployment? All details of that scenario. All adjustments to a present understood as fate, as a reality in which to resign.
II.
There are problems that progressive politicians can to identify (the most obvious): economic crisis, corruption, organized crime, dysfunction in the sphere of justice, health, education and research. These problems are identified, but not connected to an articulated perspective of radical reforms centered on some form of redistribution of wealth. Are presented in vague, including the vague prospect of improvement. Yet such problems require answers and the answers will have costs and these costs should not fall on the shoulders of the usual people accustomed to "sacrifice". The policy responses to economic problems are credible if they include the political will to affect the balance of power and influence on the distribution of wealth, given that today 10% of the population controls half of the wealth of our country ( http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2010/07/05/news/inchiesta_redditi-5392064/?ref=HREC1 -2).
problems, if not reduced to a slogan to pick up votes really serious and difficult to resolve because any policy really geared to a redistribution of wealth undermines the consolidated balance of power. A power that has deep roots and that goes beyond in its most arrogant and destructive boundaries of nation states.
little money who uses his or her income to savings, "enjoy" pleasures and to provide any security. In the middle and upper social strata, middle and low, who is a bit 'more money is thought of buying something that could not afford (a second home or a bicycle, as the case may be) or do you think of putting money part to meet any need. In the higher social strata, however, people can already afford many things and have money to by any circumstance, and maybe even for children and grandchildren. In these cases, therefore, the personal money is used to produce more money and control more aspects of society. Above a certain threshold, the money is simply power and control over the lives of others and this creates problems not only in terms of income distribution, but in terms of quality of life for all and effective functioning of democracy "to arrive at true democracy should dismantle the whole system of capitalist corporations, because it is fundamentally anti-democratic" (Noam Chomski, 2002, Understanding Power, trans. com. Basic Books, Milan, 2008, p. 193).
The concentration of economic power in large companies so as to be more realistic forms of enterprises under the responsibility of specific persons, but elephantine and impersonal reality, has created problems unimaginable at the beginning of last century. To "normal" chance of "injustice" was added as a "structural" of injustice. Corporations in the decisions are actually taken from individuals at various levels of corporate hierarchy, but individuals are easily replaceable and therefore necessarily operate on the basis of impersonal criteria that are "purely business." A levels so far from real life people, the choices are made based on criteria which ignore totally ethical evaluations or simply human. The responsibility for these choices is so "split" or "widespread" that easily single people do not feel responsible leading the project forward. See in this regard the film The Corporation Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott & Joel Bakan (DVD + book), Feltrinelli, Milan).
Since we do not live in a socialist society and no longer even contemplate the possibility of a "tolerance" of capitalism, we must assume that social groups remain low and medium and high social classes. The policy may regulate relations between the classes, but no longer has among its objectives a questioning of the classes. So we must talk about how the policy seeks to "regulate" the relations between classes, since it has a certain margin of action and given that in a democratic system is also controlled by the people who are not rich and who constitute the overwhelming majority). In other words, this vast majority of it has proved historically strong enough to overthrow capitalism, but it could be strong enough to adjust in ways more fair and reasonable social relations and rules of coexistence in society. In this field of possibilities is developed (or at least should develop) the dialectic between left and right, ie between instances to defend privileges and egalitarian and libertarian.
There is only one way to really make a left-wing politics: to hit the big power centers rather than small business owners. Do a fiscal policy that redirects the entire economy on new tracks. Ask a fight against tax evasion qualitatively different: not persecuting the small taxpayers, but rather making them allies and collaborators with a radical simplification of tax and direct and systematic monitoring in large companies and "paths" of financial capital.
Unfortunately, significant segments of the vertices of the left are dramatically affected by the power and then collusion or blackmail. However, something can always change and you can hope for a new leadership from a change in perspective associated with a change of people.
III.
Now, the "big politics" (the one that deals with structural economic problems) is connected by a double thread to the "politics of everyday life" that is, the slope of the policy issues that are only indirectly connected with the balance of power. Both forms of political activity may be trivial and sources of suffering, but both can be an opportunity for the overall improvement of the quality of people's lives. It 'important that the safety of the workers have come to the end of the month and that employers should not be constrained by organized crime. E 'but equally important that children are fed in addition to being adequately cared for, that the elderly, the disabled, minorities do not have to suffer humiliation, that justice, health and school work to serve people and do not constitute factors of further suffering. And so on.
policy of the newspaper is doubly linked to high politics, even if the party representatives "progressives" have not yet figured out is to some extent because of the serious economic inequities are linked to phenomena of irrationality in the relationship between person and society, and because people lose confidence in the policy if the policy takes care of problems "structural" and tramples on their dignity, and violate their privacy and disrupts the quality of their everyday experience. The left and progressive political forces not involve the vast majority of the electorate while never facing structural improvements (however vague) as part of a society that does not respect the dignity of persons.
Against this background, both for reasons of consistency, both for electoral reasons (to obtain involvement by non-believers or even no longer believe in politics) the left-wing forces would face the problems that have always neglected, and should, therefore, address them in ways that are rooted in their mentality.
Although it does not remove nothing to the value of a policy aimed at restarting the economy, therefore, deserves much consideration a nice list of questions which, if properly addressed, would significantly improve the company and generate in people a sense of belonging to the larger community to which they belong.
1. The company did not adequately protect infants and children. Mothers who have an employee can not breast feed and groom their children for the first year of life. After six months must return to work for the benefit of the company and irreparably damage the adults of tomorrow. The human costs of this neglect are devastating. If economists are not blind also include the economic cost of this disaster.
2. The disabled and elderly people are abandoned by society and assigned to families, as if the families were composed by the most suitable and available to play that role, although in many cases this does not happen. Are not adequately serviced by the company's disabled and elderly who do not have families, those who can not count on the support of family and even those who do not want to be a burden to family or do not want to depend on family members.
3. Not only the state delegation to support families of disabled and elderly, but not adequately support the families that they have inside of the disabled or elderly people, even it is clear that in such cases, these families are found to have a daily routine completely altered and incur costs that other families do not support.
4. Are not protected by the company's underage teenagers who are sick in the family and do not want to depend on the family.
5. People who lose their jobs or can not find a job that suits their aspirations can not rely on society: temporarily unable to offer their time and their energy in exchange for a roof and a minimum wage. Are abandoned "the circumstances" (layoffs and if there while it lasts, family, job opportunities precarious or irregular, etc...)
6. The complete equality between men and women's rights, in social relations, in terms of work, and that the development of personal skills has not yet been reached, but it is a goal that can not be postponed.
7. Though animals do not vote, are in the heart of many people. People who have animals but are restricted in their freedom as if they were lepers. Lack both adequate safeguards for the lives of animals in general, adequate safeguards for those animals. Consider the rules applied in public places, condominiums, etc.. People who live with animals suffer discrimination and prejudice, and bearing everything "in the light of the sun." If the owner of a hotel is not racist to say "we do not accept Moroccans." At least he is forced to lie and claim to have no free rooms. However, the rule "no pets" is normally accepted.
8. As soon as a person begins to "move" in the company is embroiled in a jungle of regulations that force them to choose to give up, subject to conditions, or act illegally. Social standards should serve to prevent abuse and injustice, not to persecute those who simply want to live their lives. Needed authorizations, documentation and payments to get things done more simple and this deprives the people or the ability to take initiatives invalid or the pleasure of doing so in a climate of respect.
9. The people, to society, responsibility for the consequences of what they do and are held accountable for their actions to the company where they produce damage. Today, however, are not free to answer only to themselves for their personal choices and habits. In the current state crackdown on the private lives of the people to determine which habits are not good ", perhaps considering the consequences of those habits. In this logic, the State could decide who to listen to rock music does not go well because the music is not as good, or it could decide who should be prohibited because it "stirs the soul" and can lead to antisocial behavior. This state intervention on musical choices people seem bizarre or grotesque, and yet the State regularly makes choices such as prohibiting the use of hard and soft drugs which are a (bad) habit, but simply personal habit. The decriminalization of drugs, as well as clear all criminal behavior related to trade in such substances, facilitate (leading to the police discovered the problem without complications), even the recovery of many addicts. Above is a measure of respect for people who still have the right to live their lives in their own way, until they commit crimes.
A fortiori this is true for those who do not consume "drugs" but cigarettes. E 'in place a systematic persecution of a habit certainly debatable, but deeply rooted in our culture and significant in the daily lives of many people. It 's absurd that they are not authorized or smoking rooms (standard rooms with windows and not with systems that cost tens of thousands of euro) in restaurants, bars, hospitals, and in all public places, or the coaches Smoking in trains. In public places you social life, in public transport will stop for hours they spend in hospitals even hours of tension and discomfort. Who has the mania (and disgusting even harmful) to chew "tires" can do so while those who have the habit of sucking a cigarette must be free or frustrations that are added sometimes difficult situations.
affirm this principle because it feels right, not because I am a smoker: for I say the same principle to the restrictions on the use of alcohol, although not used to drinking. The influence of alcohol is definitely dangerous if you are driving a vehicle, but usually it is not likely to produce damage. The existing restrictions are insane: with two beers, the threshold is exceeded allowable rate alcohol ( http://www.beppegrillo.it/2009/11/chi_mangia_un_boero_finisce_in_galera.html?s=n2009-11-12 ). Obviously, the regulations do not prevent people who are mentally unstable "bad drunk" to drive recklessly and sow death. The restrictions set by law, however, affect so violent and intrusive privacy of other people, that if a party must ask the question of do or not do a toast. Not only that, but anyone, even those who are teetotal, he must submit to the test "balloon" when a patrol decides to do a check.
The same can be said for the rules that regulate the guidance of drivers and motorcyclists. The law does not establish that in the event of an accident, who did not use seat belts or not wearing a helmet does not have the same rights as others. The law provides that you should always use your seatbelt (or helmet). This is absurd, but it's considered perfectly normal. When will the rules for the use of condoms or the pill (because unwanted pregnancies are a real social evil)? O required to carry in your pocket a form approved by the Ministry of Health?
The same can be said for the whole conceptual framework of the road including the maximum speed set in advance, regardless of ability driving, the type of vehicle and weather conditions. It is one thing to take into account the speed and accident is one thing to ruin the lives of all motorists (obsessed with rules set forth by the signs), pillaged and also with sanctions.
10. The relationship between citizens and companies that provide essential services are essentially violent. The bills are incomprehensible, the readings are not carried out, accumulate "predicted consumption and adjustments in case of errors, the jurisdiction is in Rome or somewhere. And the citizen is helpless at times when it sought the support of an association that protects consumers.
11. The company nega alle persone che scontano pene detentive in situazioni di sovraffollamento, il rispetto della loro dignità ed anche la possibilità di scontare la pena in modo socialmente utile.
12. La società non facilita l’integrazione degli immigrati (e di tutte le minoranze) nella società. La mancanza di servizi e di sostegni adeguati aumenta la tensione fra chi ha bisogno di trovare una collocazione nella società e chi rappresenta una parte della società già integrata ma fragile perché afflitta da ignoranza e pregiudizi.
13. La società aggiunge ai carichi di lavoro delle persone la mole incredibile di adempimenti burocratici da effettuare nel tempo libero. Nessuno oserebbe proporre un’ora a day of unpaid work in the factory, but all agree that many free hours to be simply "seized" by the State for the conduct of bureaucratic rituals: rituals tax, road, municipal, regional, and health of all kinds.
14. The company not only claims that people pay taxes, but want to devote hours and hours to verify the correctness of the calculation and payment of their taxes. Does not cooperate with citizens to determine the taxes due and make payments possible, but demands that citizens demonstrate that they have paid taxes in accordance with criteria set out only the accountants include (and require that fees are an extra taxation). Today, in practice, it is wasting time and wasting money to pay taxes. The thing is absurd, but is considered by all normal. If anything, it discusses a percentage point more or less in the calculation of the levies.
15. People have no fear if you meet a guy with a gun in his belt, thinks "why should he be angry with me?". People are afraid if you meet a policeman, a policeman, a traffic policeman. Just see the uniform thinking "WHAT did I do wrong?".
16. The judicial system is not a point of reference for those asking for justice (as the hospital is, to some extent, a point of reference for those seeking medical care). The person who has suffered damage should contact an attorney and start a never-ending process. This leads people not to feel part of the community, as there is one company that does not protect people, but justice is theoretically fair manner.
17. The health service, in each case is reduced to the essential service and does not include among its responsibilities "to take care of people" who need, but only "cure" their bodies. No commitment to make the hospitals of welcoming places for those passing moments of particular vulnerability: it is good if the plates are made on time and if you are admitted to a room with other people.
18. The company does not address adequately the education of the public finances since no reason private schools. The company is not concerned even university education and scientific research because it now sees as the University of Companies.
19. The secular state is severely compromised by both the Lateran Pacts, and other privileges accorded by the church. This disturbs the conscience of the true believers, adversely affect the protection of freedom of thought, would pave the way for similar claims by other religious communities.
If left to stand for election in violation of the usual tabù della politica e affermasse di voler rendere più responsabili ma più liberi i cittadini rispettando la loro la dignità (ora calpestata da tante leggi assurde), stupirebbe tante persone. Se certi partiti reazionari stupiscono le persone più ottuse con idee balorde, la sinistra potrebbe stupire tutte le altre persone con idee intelligenti. Questo però significherebbe fare del bene con la politica e uscire dalla banalità.
Gianfranco