Yes, now it is the turn of politics
Jordi Pujol
Editorial / January 26, 2010
Last week’s editorial has prompted some commentaries that deserve a response. In essence, they raise a question. They argue that the editorial line of this bulletin has always focused mainly on the issue of “the intellectual and ethical bedrock on which we should lay the foundations of collective action” and on what we call IVA, that is, the set of positive ideas, values and attitudes needed to move a country forward. It has always placed more emphasis on this question than on politics itself. Whereas in recent editorials, including last week’s, we have stressed politics and even the urgency of political action. And this is so.
Yet among the clear ideas that our society needs is that a country without good politics cannot make headway. And among the positive attitudes, a country must always appraise politics responsibly, even if it is negative.
And the fact is that urgency and priorities are changeable. There are times of hard work, of slow maturation of ideas and values. In the same way that in farming there are months of slow, inner growth, barely visible, yet decisive. But there are also moments when the crop may be lost, or spoilt, if urgent action is not taken. If the crop is not watered or not harvested.
At present Catalonia finds herself at such a moment where she needs to continue the hard work. A moment where the economic, intellectual and cultural fields need to be toiled. And the same goes for civil society in general. It is however aware that at the same time it is in the middle of a jam. The vehicle becomes gridlocked. It is stuck. When this happens, it is a matter of setting a new course, finding a new impetus and accelerating in order to get moving again. And this action has less to do with slow reflection or long term planning, but with steadfast and consistent and, above all, effective action. It is all about politics.
As such, this is the time for political action. Without forgetting IVA or the right preparation. Or civil society. However, we now need politics at the fore, because only energetic and effective, serious and responsible politics can free the country.
At this point, it is easy to anticipate the sceptical, embittered and even thoughtless frown of some, or of many. Because it is true that there is little respect for politics and politicians. Which is somehow understandable
But we must understand – it is essential – that a country without serious, effective and well-led politics cannot move forward. And in our case, in Catalonia’s case, now – right now — without this kind of politics the country will remain mired. Like a car that becomes stuck in a rut and can only get out of it with proper handling by the driver and the right amount of acceleration. And this falls to everyone, but especially to politics.
And in this sense, there is what there is. And we have what we have. We have previously said that Catalonia, once settled the predicament of the Statue for autonomy and the pitiful spectacle of the Constitutional Court and the main Spanish parties, and despite the loss of confidence that this will have meant in many senses, the Catalan people will have to get to work with what they have. We have also said that our assets are remarkable in many fields: our economy, civil society, culture, social cohesion, assimilation capacity, collective conscience, calling to open up to the outside, etc.
Likewise in politics. Because we must be mindful that the Catalan politician moves in risky arenas. The Catalan political arena is difficult enough, and the Spanish one, especially difficult and tricky if you are a Catalan. Moreover, the economic crisis in Europe and the United States has caused unease and is eroding the image of the politician. Lastly, we should also be aware that the roots of some of our problems lie not solely in the failures and attitudes of politicians, but in those of us all.
The excessive euphoria of recent years, that in large part sparked the current crisis, is a clear example of this.
And the fact is that urgency and priorities are changeable. There are times of hard work, of slow maturation of ideas and values. In the same way that in farming there are months of slow, inner growth, barely visible, yet decisive. But there are also moments when the crop may be lost, or spoilt, if urgent action is not taken. If the crop is not watered or not harvested.
At present Catalonia finds herself at such a moment where she needs to continue the hard work. A moment where the economic, intellectual and cultural fields need to be toiled. And the same goes for civil society in general. It is however aware that at the same time it is in the middle of a jam. The vehicle becomes gridlocked. It is stuck. When this happens, it is a matter of setting a new course, finding a new impetus and accelerating in order to get moving again. And this action has less to do with slow reflection or long term planning, but with steadfast and consistent and, above all, effective action. It is all about politics.
As such, this is the time for political action. Without forgetting IVA or the right preparation. Or civil society. However, we now need politics at the fore, because only energetic and effective, serious and responsible politics can free the country.
-----------------------
At this point, it is easy to anticipate the sceptical, embittered and even thoughtless frown of some, or of many. Because it is true that there is little respect for politics and politicians. Which is somehow understandable
But we must understand – it is essential – that a country without serious, effective and well-led politics cannot move forward. And in our case, in Catalonia’s case, now – right now — without this kind of politics the country will remain mired. Like a car that becomes stuck in a rut and can only get out of it with proper handling by the driver and the right amount of acceleration. And this falls to everyone, but especially to politics.
And in this sense, there is what there is. And we have what we have. We have previously said that Catalonia, once settled the predicament of the Statue for autonomy and the pitiful spectacle of the Constitutional Court and the main Spanish parties, and despite the loss of confidence that this will have meant in many senses, the Catalan people will have to get to work with what they have. We have also said that our assets are remarkable in many fields: our economy, civil society, culture, social cohesion, assimilation capacity, collective conscience, calling to open up to the outside, etc.
Likewise in politics. Because we must be mindful that the Catalan politician moves in risky arenas. The Catalan political arena is difficult enough, and the Spanish one, especially difficult and tricky if you are a Catalan. Moreover, the economic crisis in Europe and the United States has caused unease and is eroding the image of the politician. Lastly, we should also be aware that the roots of some of our problems lie not solely in the failures and attitudes of politicians, but in those of us all.
The excessive euphoria of recent years, that in large part sparked the current crisis, is a clear example of this.
