The road to Asia Minor….

By Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer & Political Scientist)

Ignorance of the past is wrong. Even worse is the systematic misinterpretation of the present for motives untoward and party political gains. The promise of a better future must be accompanied by realistic steps and certainty in its achievement. Current political maneuverings and the politics of hate serve only to retain the established status quo - both that of the major parties that have maintained and abused governmental authority and power but also those in the periphery that have in perpetuity retained parliamentary seats in exchange of hollow rhetoric and unrealistic solutions.

We are in the midst of a tragedy. We must not forget this. By ceding the initiative all political parties are choosing to react to public outcry by placing themselves in a position to maximise future electoral gains. Every decision adopted whether pro-bailout or anti-bailout is reactive and made with the electoral landscape in mind. In doing so, politicians have once again chosen to compromise the future of the Greek people.

The people require the honest truth and the truth of the current situation is simple. Greek society is in deep paralysis. The political parties elected to represent their constituents have refused to unify in the face of adversity. Given the current realities, Greece requires a unified multi-party government. A government that is able to immediately implement some of the beneficial provisions contained in the bailout agreements (i.e. tax reforms, drastic changes to legal system and certain privatisations) whilst simultaneously providing a unified front to renegotiate those measures that are both oppressive and offer no stimulus for growth - measures that have only been included to punish the Greek people for alleged sins of the past (i.e. drastic pension/wage cuts etc.,).

Our elected politicians must not lose sight of Aristotle's belief in "prudence" as a paradigm. They must "visualize" the future when deciding to act. A future that is attainable, that acknowledges and learns from the ills of the past. A future that seeks to strengthen democratic institutions and contribute towards the true prosperity of Greece and its citizens as opposed to fulfilling party political or personal agendas.

The road to Asia Minor has been previously treaded. There is a case to be made for the need not to repeat it.

The Hellenic Revolution: 25 March 1821 - Είμαστε στο «Εμείς» και όχι στο «Εγώ»

by Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer & Political Scientist)

The 25th of March 2012 marks 191 years from the commencement of the Hellenic Revolution against the Ottoman Empire. "Freedom or Death" was the motto of the Hellenic revolution that marked the beginning of prodigious change in the Balkan region and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. 

The Hellenic Revolution was a multidimensional event. It was a national revolution since it sought national independence for all Hellenes and the creation of an independent Hellenic state. But it was also a social revolution since it tried to unite all social classes against Ottoman rule. The Hellenic Revolution encompassed cultural and social renaissance, heroic deeds and collective and individual self-sacrifice by many Hellenes. It encompassed a grass roots movement in support of human dignity, justice and solidarity.

Unfortunately, the Hellenic Revolution was also marred by political upheaval, social discontent and three (3) civil wars. This, amongst other, resulted in the imprisonment and killing of many Hellenes and revolutionary heroes by their political opponents.

However, our very own existence and national independence serves as testimony to the Revolution's success.

Today, we must spare a moment to reflect. A moment to conceptualise and understand the significance of this event and the perilous situation Greece currently finds itself in. Today we must learn from our forefathers and initiate our own revolutionary changes. Changes that will help deal with the current crisis, that will help cement democracy, transform Greece and establish a new Hellenic polity.

Today, more then ever, we must carefully adhere to the words articulated by Greek Revolutionary hero, Ioannis Makrigiannis, in his memoirs of the Hellenic Revolution:

 «Κι όσα σημειώνω τα σημειώνω γιατί δεν υποφέρνω να βλέπω το άδικο να πνίγει το δίκιο. Για κείνο έμαθα γράμματα στα γεράματα και κάνω αυτό το γράψιμο το απελέκητο, ότι δεν είχα τον τρόπον όντας παιδί να σπουδάξω: ήμουν φτωχός κι έκανα τον υπηρέτη και τιμάρευα άλογα, κι άλλες πλήθος δουλειές έκανα, να βγάλω το πατρικό μου χρέος που μας χρέωσαν oι χαραμήδες, και να ζήσω κι εγώ σε τούτη την κοινωνία, όσο έχω τ’αμανέτι του Θεού στο σώμα μου. Κι αφού ο Θεός θέλησε να κάμει νεκρανάσταση στην Πατρίδα μου, να τη λευτερώσει από την τυραγνία των Τούρκων, αξίωσε κι εμένα να δουλέψω κατά δύναμη, λιγότερον από τον χερότερο πατριώτη μου Έλληνα. Γράφουν σοφοί άντρες πολλοί, γράφουν τυπογράφοι ντόπιοι, και ξένοι διαβασμένοι για την Ελλάδα. Ένα πράμα μόνο με παρακίνησε κι εμένα να γράψω: ότι τούτη την πατρίδα την έχομεν όλοι μαζί, και σοφοί κι αμαθείς, και πλούσιοι και φτωχοί, και πολιτικοί και στρατιωτικοί, και οι πλέον μικρότεροι άνθρωποι. Όσοι αγωνιστήκαμεν, αναλόγως ο καθείς, έχομεν να ζήσομεν εδώ. 

Το λοιπόν δουλέψαμεν όλοι μαζί να τη φυλάμε κι όλοι μαζί, και να μη λέγει ούτε ο δυνατός «εγώ», ούτε ο αδύνατος. Ξέρετε πότε να λέγει ο καθείς «εγώ»; όταν αγωνιστεί μόνος του και φκιάσει ή χαλάσει, να λέγει «εγώ»· όταν όμως αγωνίζονται πολλοί και φκιάνουν, τότε να λένε «εμείς». Είμαστε στο «εμείς» κι όχι στο «εγώ». Και στο εξής να μάθομε γνώση, αν θέλομε να φκιάσομε χωριό να ζήσομε όλοι μαζί. Έγραψα γυμνή την αλήθεια, να ιδούνε όλοι οι Έλληνες ν’ αγωνίζονται για την πατρίδα τους, για τη θρησκεία τους· να ιδούνε και τα παιδιά μου και να λένε: «Έχομε αγώνες πατρικούς, έχομε θυσίες -αν είναι αγώνες και θυσίες. Και να μπαίνουν σε φιλοτιμία και να εργάζονται στο καλό της πατρίδας τους, της θρησκείας τους και της κοινωνίας- ότι θα είναι καλά δικά τους. Όχι όμως να φαντάζονται για τα κατορθώματα τα πατρικά, όχι να πορνεύουν την αρετή και να καταπατούν το νόμο, και να 'χονν την επιρροή για ικανότη».

Sapere aude!!

by Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer & Political Scientist)

To become truly free, Greece must free itself from ignorance and from the prevailing indoctrinations which for many decades have been articulated by various socio-political institutions, with the intent of shaping and controlling the Greek people’s destiny. To become truly free, we must become active seekers of knowledge and release ourselves from our self-incurred tutelage. Sapere aude!!

The end of ‘Metapolitefsi’: The need for radical Hellenic change

by Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer & Political Scientist)

On 12 February 2012 a parliamentary majority comprising of 199 Members of the Hellenic Parliament voted yes to the adoption of the second “Mnimonio”. This date marks the end of '"Metapolitefsi" - the end of the post-junta period of Greek history that promised a great deal yet delivered much less.

Not since the Second World War and the Greek Civil War have so many Greek citizens been subjugated and starved. Consecutive Greek governments have failed to do what they were elected to do: to provide economic prosperity and equal opportunity to all Hellenes. The rich and well connected have for many decades benefited enormously whilst the many have been left in the outer.

Reliant on the mercy of corporate fickleness Greece faces today an international delegitimation campaign. How we choose to react to the current developments is pivotal. Sitting idle and complacent is of no benefit.

The survival of Greece and the prosperity of its citizens require us to reform in response to the ills of the moment. In doing so, we must seek the sources and causes of such ills. These are not to be found in cheap rhetoric, racist conspiracy theories and armchair revolutions. They are much deeper. They require careful analysis and relate to our global economic system and the existing socio-political structures in Greece.

Internationally, the unregulated free market has failed. The common good and well being of citizens has been sacrificed in favor of corporate greed and profit. Democracy is challenged by “corporatocracy” whilst the state is challenged by global financial predators. Democratic governments worldwide need to construct a new anthropocentric global financial system that will act as a regulator, guarantor and stabilizer of the global economy. It is imperative that such system ensures an ethical and viable approach to international trade and global economic integration.

In Greece, existing socio-political structures have helped create anti-system attitudes and corrupt practices. We need to acknowledge that adequate health, employment, justice and education were and remain out of reach for ordinary Greek citizens and the poor are increasingly marginalized. As a result, incentives have and continue to be provided for people to attempt to operate outside the system. We need to acknowledge that changing the existing socio-political structures requires painful reformist decisions. Band-aid solutions can no longer suffice.

The adoption of the “Mnimonio” is only the epitaph, the climax in a long and painful cataclysm. We must understand that long before the “Mnimonio” was adopted we, inadvertently, slowly and silently acquiesced to ceding control over our destiny to foreign influences. We did so by becoming complacent, by compromising our morals and our patriotism, by turning a blind eye, by electing corrupt politicians and by seeking personal gain irrespective of the damage caused to the wider community.

For too long the Greek political elite were permitted to operate above the law and enjoy special legal immunities in relation to corruption and criminal matters. This cannot be tolerated any more. We must no longer permit our political and economic leaders to short-change us. Parliamentary immunity must be abolished and there must be equal subjection of all citizens before the ordinary law and courts.

Radical reform is today more then ever necessary. It is only through radical reform that we can re-claim our future. It is only through radical reform and national regeneration that we can redeem our humanity and promise a better future to the generations to follow.

Now is the time to change the trajectory of Greece.

Now is the time to turn a crisis into the mother of true Hellenic change.

Hellenic Diaspora – Every Greek is an Ambassador for Greece!

by Vasilis Giavris (Lawyer & Political Scientist) 

Hellenism finds itself in the midst of a global financial crisis. Greece is experiencing dramatic economic, political and social devastation. Dealing with the existing socio-politico and economic realities and the emerging challenges requires the Hellenic Diaspora not to remain idle and complacent. 

We live in an inter-dependent world in which political, cultural and economic events are interconnected and where emerging global challenges require global analysis, global commitment and a global response. 

Inevitably, the Hellenic Diaspora needs to reassess its future. It must devise a strategy that will secure its presence in a new globalised world by instilling national confidence and investing in technological and educational excellence and in its historical and cultural traditions. 

The Hellenic Diaspora, and the millions of Hellenes that comprise it, are an integral part of Greece and should not be wasted on short sighted foreign policy gains and party political power games. Indeed, a true national Hellenic reconstruction needs to inspire and mobilize the global forces of Hellenism. 

The Hellenic Diaspora needs to stand up and accept that they have a historical and moral obligation to contribute towards a new post-partisan leadership that will champion a new ethos and vision for Hellenism and Greece. 

The Hellenic Diaspora must help motivate, encourage and mobilize the wider Hellenic forces and help create the essential consents and momentum required to enhance the aspirations of Hellenism and Greece in the 21st century. 

The transformation of Greece requires active and dynamic Hellenic citizens of the world, free from introspection, dogmatism, partisanship and corruption. 

It requires every single one of us since: EVERY GREEK IS AN AMBASSADOR FOR GREECE!! 

HELLENIC DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE 

For Hellenism, Transparency and Social Justice 

Please follow follow the HELLENIC DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE @ http://www.facebook.com/groups/155825097778281/

ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ ΓΙΑΒΡΗΣ - Διαφθορά, Μνημόνιο & ΔΝΤ - Part 3 of 3

H «Έξυπνη Οικονομία» και το Δημόσιο Χρέος

Στο 159,1% του ΑΕΠ - το υψηλότερο ποσοστό στην Ευρωζώνη – αυξήθηκε το δημόσιο χρέος της Ελλάδας στο τρίτο τρίμηνο του 2011, σύμφωνα με τα στοιχεία της Eurostat. 'Ομως το δημόσιο χρέος, το δημοσιονομικό έλλειμμα και η προσφυγή της Ελλάδος στο Διεθνές Νομισματικό Ταμείο και στα κράτη – μέλη της Ευροζωνης δεν οφείλεται μόνο στη ανικανότητα, την διαφθορά και την φοροδιαφυγή. Μπορεί τα έσοδα του κράτους να βρίσκονται σε πολύ χαμηλό επίπεδο λόγω της φοροδιαφυγής και να αποτελούν ίσως ένα από τα βασικά αίτια του ελλείμματος στη Ελλάδα αλλά δεν είναι τα μοναδικά. 

Η ελληνική οικονομία δεν παράγει όσο θα έπρεπε. Στηρίζεται σχεδόν αποκλειστικά στην κατανάλωση και σε διάφορες μη παραγωγικές δαπάνες και επιδοτήσεις, οι οποίες - απ' ότι φαίνεται - δεν έχουν στο παρελθόν πιάσει τόπο.

Η Ελλάδα πρέπει να θέση ως στόχο την δημιουργία μιας «Έξυπνης Οικονομίας». Πρέπει να αυξήσει την παραγωγικότητας της. Εκτός από τον τουρισμό πρέπει να χρηματοδοτήσει και να επενδύσει στην καινοτομία και στις νέες τεχνολογίες. Πρέπει να θέσει ως στόχο την δημιουργία μιας οικονομίας όπου ο Έλληνας κατασκευάζει και εξάγει προϊόντα που έχει σχεδιάσει ο ίδιος.

Στη σύγχρονη οικονομία, ίσως το μεγαλύτερο μέρος της παραγωγής αποτελείται από την επεξεργασία πληροφοριών. Ακόμη και πολύ παραδοσιακές εργασίες τώρα εξαρτώνται σε μεγάλο βαθμό από την επεξεργασία της πληροφόρησης. Η Ελλάδα πρέπει να επενδύσει στην εκπαίδευση και στο ανθρώπινο δυναμικό της. Μόνο ένα άρτια εκπαιδευμένο εργατικό δυναμικό μπορεί να ανταποκριθεί στις ανάγκες του 21 αιώνα. Χωρίς αυτό δεν πρόκειται να υπάρξει βελτίωση της παραγωγικότητας και της Ελληνικής οικονομίας.

Βέβαια όλα αυτά χρειάζονται τολμηρές και σαρωτικές αλλαγές και μεταρρυθμιστική πολιτική. Χρειάζεται μια τολμηρή και αποφασιστική Ελληνική κυβέρνηση... εύχομαι να προκύψει...

Βασίλης Θεοδοσίου Γιαβρής
Δικηγόρος & Πολιτικός Επιστήμονας