Perhaps something is changing?

Yet for years this appeal has mainly fallen on deaf ears. It has often even been mocked. And now all at once we read in the press, find in speeches by political leaders who not so long ago poured scorn on such questions, and in books by sociologists and psychologists who until recently showed little interest in the question, that it is of vital importance to assume and practise these values. Or they speak of the importance of the family. “Saving, solidarity, effort, austerity, patience or environment friendly consumption are some of these forgotten values that are now on the rise”. This was published, for example, in La Vanguardia.  They even speak of patience.

La Vanguardia mainly attributes it to the economic turmoil. And in large part it must be right. Though not entirely. For some time now some people have been speaking out against the lack of public spirit, against the lack of respect shown towards people and public property and towards initiatives in the public interest. But it must be true that the crisis helps.
 
In a recent issue of “The Economist” – very polemic for reasons other than those commented in this editorial- it writes, referring to Spain, that “the party’s over”. True enough.  Nearly forty years ago some of us made use of a similar saying: “we are Monday’s political party”. We meant that after years of hard partying and hubbub (understandable, yet very soon agents of irresponsible attitudes and confusion) the time had come to get back to work. With tenacity, effort  and continuity.  And with civic virtues that go beyond a hedonism that is, of course, civilized but also lazy, imprudent and irresponsible.
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It would be good, therefore, to consolidate this revival of values. So that it is not a fleeting reaction to fear. And it would equally be good to apply them throughout our society. Clearly, in the light of what is happening, they must be practised in the economic sector, where unrestrained joy, irresponsibility and the desire to earn a fast buck have caused untold damage. This is also evident in the social area, with attitudes such as impulsive consumerism or the lack of foresight, and in the political arena and in general in the area of the common good.

Have the people who have been so impressed by President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign realised his constant call for people’s responsibility, for patriotism?

In Catalonia, halfway between the general crisis and the Obama effect, and also with the prevailing awareness that Catalonia is facing serious problems of identity, cohesion, progress and respect, will we be able to consolidate these fundamental values without which societies fragment and counties come adrift?
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At least two things are required to consolidate these values:  so they are used honestly and be truly consolidated. To honestly use values implies not to merely use them for personal gain. For example, politicians may call for patience and an enterprising state of mind, because without this there can be no recovery. But if, on the other hand, they do not assume their responsibilities, the unpopular ones also, and if governments distort and deceive, they will have seriously harmed society. And they will be entitled to be branded irresponsible and dishonest. Speaking of solidarity only for personal gain (“Solidarity must be practised only with third-party assets”) disqualifies ethically and politically. And sooner or later it will give rise to failures and problems. This is now happening with the Spanish territorial debate.

To stop this from happening we need to take the teaching of values one step further, to virtues. If until very recently to speak of values meant being branded a reactionary (and we will see how long speaking positively about them lasts), to speak of virtues makes many people burst out laughing. So, let us define what we mean.

What is virtue? It is a value that has been turned into a practice, a habit. When a country functions the value is not only the object of debate, it is adopted into everyday life. One does not merely say that one must be punctual, one is punctual. And one learns this because punctuality is taught at school and at home, and because it is held up by society. And it has become a habit. And if people behave civically and respectfully they do so because they have assimilated the value of public spirit and have made this conduct a rule. And this can be applied to solidarity, to the exercise of responsibility, to a sense of the common good. To everything.

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Is change afoot? Only on account of the crisis? It would be good that it were not solely out of fear, because there is no other solution. If people come to believe that these values – put in to practice, that is, turned into habits or virtues – will aid us in overcoming the crisis, they might also believe that, the crisis aside, they can help us to live better. To better build our own country, our cohabitation and our progress.

And thus the defence of values as well as their practice will not merely be a boring and unfriendly exercise. It can be a reason for happiness.

And this is one other thing we have to revive, strengthen: the sense of happiness. Being a good citizen, or a patriot, or being responsible, or self-demanding, or being capable of striving when there is a need to act positively for the common good, need not necessarily be seen or experienced as being burdensome.

It often requires effort, but it need not be burdensome. Or depressing. On the contrary: it must be and can be a motive for personal satisfaction. For self-respect.