It is often said, and many have repeated it in the present period of the corona virus time that crises can teach us lessons, that they help us correct our mistakes and to chart a wiser course for the future. To what extent is this proposal valid? Does it depend on basic conditions without which we can learn nothing and no course correction can take place? Does a crisis require a “correct” reading, otherwise the “solution” can lead to wrong choices and more painful experiences?
Logic shows that a pre-condition for learning from a crisis is to properly identify it, with its causes and real character. For example, the problems that plagued Cyprus since 2010 have been described as an “economic crisis” and, for some reason, everyone’s eyes have focused on fiscal deficits and the hypertrophic banking system. In the present case, the situation has been defined as a “coronavirus pandemic”, due to the highly contagious characteristics of the virus, which turned it into an “insidious enemy of humanity”. What is the truth or reality?
In both cases, the focus is on the symptoms, which results in sidelining the real causes and nature of the crisis.
Since 2010, not only has it been overlooked, but no mention has ever been made that the so-called economic crisis was primarily a crisis of values. The causes of the crisis were, precisely, the violation of ethical, corporate and individual rules of conduct, not only in relation to transactions. This have been repeatedly argued in articles of mine, that the violation of values has brought the economy to the brink of collapse. Therefore, the state of the economy was part of the symptoms, not the essence of the crisis.
At present, in 2019-20, many, mainly outside Cyprus, have recognized, that the proportions human intervention in nature has taken, with pollution, poisoning and the destruction of the environment are the main causes of the problem. However, attention and the nomenclature persist on a corona virus pandemic.
The outcome of such an approach is that the means and measures chosen to deal with the crisis are determined by the prevailing view. Emphasis is placed on the “urgency of the problem” and immediate solutions, rarely on proposals setting medium term goals. However, it is imperative that measures to address immediate needs are put into perspective in the long run. Such a view, which aimed at a change of course, of the economy and policies, was adopted by the Memorandum of Understanding of 2013. It was taking into account the value factor, as a background of the crisis, albeit in terms of economy. However, the leaders of the Republic of Cyprus have since been proceeding with one and sole goal, ensuring a “flow of money” in the local market, while they gradually abandoned or sidelined long-term goals and structural changes.
Things followed an even worse course, where the causes of the crisis, value breaches and decay have become a vehicle for dealing with the crisis, while new means and methods of violating values have been invented. Most of the negative phenomena were happily endorsed and applauded by the public, despite the violation of institutions and the rule of law. Instead of lessons from the crisis, the Republic of Cyprus ended up with the largest increase in corruption and the degradation of the rule of law, between 2013 and 2018, according to the World Bank.
The crisis of the so-called “corona virus pandemic” presents similar phenomena and trends. One of the first measures the government was ready to take, as mentioned in the media, was a speedy clearance of applications for the granting of Cypriot citizenship to foreigners. It is noted that a Cypriot / European passport has no fixed market value (while potentially offering huge financial and other benefits into Europe of 500 million people). In addition, the concession by the state to a small group of land developers, lawyers, accountants, etc. of the privilege to sell the passport lacks any moral and legal foundations. Finally, the real contribution of this practice to the economy remains limited. The above justifies the definition of “a passport black-market”, which is combined with the unruly construction of very high buildings, which causes environmental destruction.
In addition, approaches of the past are visible in measures aimed at the so-called revival of the economy. There is no differentiation, no eligibility criteria are set; support and assistance will be given indiscriminately to companies, to continue on the course they have so far been engaged. The policies that rank Cyprus at the bottom of the list regarding the respect and protection of the environment and the promotion of renewable energy sources dominate again. And the leaders of the Republic of Cyprus continue, they make the same choices, although experts point out that problematic environmental policies, unacceptable interventions in nature and boundless destruction threaten life. According to scientists, there are links between environmental degradation and the threat of the coronavirus, and they urge us of the need to change course, to adopt new policies, a new economy and a new relation with nature and life. Will these voices ever fall on listening ears, and will we see any good results for this country, some good for every citizen? How long will we be waiting for that day!