Inner consistency, condition for revival
Jordi Pujol
Editorial / July 08, 2008
Of late some of our editorials have referred to how Catalonia, which for years now has been experiencing a period of uncertainty and a sense of not making sufficient headway, needs to be conscious that she can and must react. We stressed this above all in the editorials of 3 June (“The time to recommence our advance”) and of 10 June (“We count on what we can count. Let’s add some seriousness to it”).
One day, soon, we will examine in detail the assets at our disposal. The uncertainty to which I referred, a kind of low-lying fog, prevents us from seeing them adequately. However, today we will try to get across that to harness our assets and become once again a leading and forward-thinking country we first need our country to be realistic, serious and consistent. That “our world is the world” and that we must do things well if we are to surmount our own limitations or those that others seek to impose on us is still valid. Therefore, let it be clear that what follows is no invitation to shy away, precisely the opposite. However, to yield maximum benefit from our potential, we need to organise our ideas, be conscious of our assets and liabilities, bolster our confidence, be ambitious, and reinforce our civic and ethic values. That is, no shying away , no renouncement of grand horizons, rather, a reinforcement of our inner consistency.
This involves society as a whole. Carried out effectively it will set a basic thrust. Yet it requires, furthermore, political action. Without good political action, the country’s basic thrust cannot be channelled; it cannot become a driving force.
This said, you will understand the list of things that to our mind this country needs to implement urgently in order to “recommence our advance”.
1. Take stock of our assets –we do have them- and mobilise them all.
2. Over this foundation, foster a more self-confident and optimistic climate.
3. Accept the idea that there are areas in which we can only count on ourselves (take the water situation as a recent example).
4. Thus, reap maximum benefit from everything that we can count on. From everything that fundamentally rests above all on ourselves.
5. Look for fields of action where we can act without particular handicaps. For example, expand our economical development beyond our borders.
6. Commit ourselves to excellence. And, as such, overcome the attitude of diffidence prevalent in some important Catalan sectors.
7. All this with an avid defence of our identity. Done with a positive and all-inclusive attitude, and very energetically.
To this list, of a more political nature, we need to add some attitudes that give rise to positive thought.
A. Awareness of a great challenge. Of a danger, but also of an opportunity.
B. Call for seriousness and for responsibility.
C. Revive the ethic of endeavour. The mentality of little effort is rife.
D. Don’t stop being self-critical, but do not fall into masochism.
E. Counter the “no culture”.
F. Counter the tendency to easiness and the lack of civic pride.
G. Do not act with precipitation or rage.
This implies an ability to draw up programmes. Sectorial programmes that form part of a comprehensive project. A project for a country. And lend it a deep feeling and emotion.
This is all within our society’s reach. Our society and our political world. And, especially, the political world for which Catalonia and her people – the country and the people– take priority. However, in order to be successful we need to strengthen our outlook, our values and our positive attitudes.
This involves society as a whole. Carried out effectively it will set a basic thrust. Yet it requires, furthermore, political action. Without good political action, the country’s basic thrust cannot be channelled; it cannot become a driving force.
This said, you will understand the list of things that to our mind this country needs to implement urgently in order to “recommence our advance”.
1. Take stock of our assets –we do have them- and mobilise them all.
2. Over this foundation, foster a more self-confident and optimistic climate.
3. Accept the idea that there are areas in which we can only count on ourselves (take the water situation as a recent example).
4. Thus, reap maximum benefit from everything that we can count on. From everything that fundamentally rests above all on ourselves.
5. Look for fields of action where we can act without particular handicaps. For example, expand our economical development beyond our borders.
6. Commit ourselves to excellence. And, as such, overcome the attitude of diffidence prevalent in some important Catalan sectors.
7. All this with an avid defence of our identity. Done with a positive and all-inclusive attitude, and very energetically.
_______________
To this list, of a more political nature, we need to add some attitudes that give rise to positive thought.
A. Awareness of a great challenge. Of a danger, but also of an opportunity.
B. Call for seriousness and for responsibility.
C. Revive the ethic of endeavour. The mentality of little effort is rife.
D. Don’t stop being self-critical, but do not fall into masochism.
E. Counter the “no culture”.
F. Counter the tendency to easiness and the lack of civic pride.
G. Do not act with precipitation or rage.
This implies an ability to draw up programmes. Sectorial programmes that form part of a comprehensive project. A project for a country. And lend it a deep feeling and emotion.
_______________
This is all within our society’s reach. Our society and our political world. And, especially, the political world for which Catalonia and her people – the country and the people– take priority. However, in order to be successful we need to strengthen our outlook, our values and our positive attitudes.
