Lecture Altiero Spinelli 2005
TZVETAN TODOROV debates about "L’avenir de la démocratie en Europe"
The foundation stone of modern democracy is the idea of autonomy on two different levels: the community and the individual. But the autonomy of individuals and States, hence democracy, is undermined today, as it was in ancient times, by at least three enemies: totalitarianism, which depletes the people's sovereign choices of any content and openly rejects individual liberties; the ensuing demagogy, amplified in modern times by mass communication media and by the ensuing standardisation of information contents;mondialisation or globalisation, in which the global economy eludes the controls of government politicians. Another element threatening democracy is terrorism by radical groups or single individuals. Such elements weakening contemporary democracy must be opposed by strengthening the collective expressions of States or groups of States; this does not mean to limit the liberties of individuals, but their powers. The State must guarantee the expression of different ideas in the media, not giving voice to those of the party in power alone. The same is true for the economy, which becomes more efficient in the presence of the citizens' free initiative. However, it is society that is responsible for control economic globalisation, striving to avert its evil effects. Given then that the State must be strengthened, we must ask ourselves which State? Individual countries are powerless and threats can only be faced on a continental scale, hence at European Union level. The referendum on the Union and its outcome have surely made today's democracy weaker, highlighting a resurgent populism. Which then, are the solutions to democracy's weakness? A start could be the endorsement of the political class by the population represented by them, to appoint a class which speaks the truth as opposed to using politically-correct language that actually distances it from the demands it should represent. A second element is to consider Europe’s cultural tradition; the political power has the task of preserving it.
Discusser: Tzvetan Todorov , May 31st 2005
University of Turin, Aula Magna, Via Verdi 8 - Turin
The foundation stone of modern democracy is the idea of autonomy on two different levels: the community and the individual. But the autonomy of individuals and States, hence democracy, is undermined today, as it was in ancient times, by at least three enemies: totalitarianism, which depletes the people's sovereign choices of any content and openly rejects individual liberties; the ensuing demagogy, amplified in modern times by mass communication media and by the ensuing standardisation of information contents;mondialisation or globalisation, in which the global economy eludes the controls of government politicians. Another element threatening democracy is terrorism by radical groups or single individuals. Such elements weakening contemporary democracy must be opposed by strengthening the collective expressions of States or groups of States; this does not mean to limit the liberties of individuals, but their powers. The State must guarantee the expression of different ideas in the media, not giving voice to those of the party in power alone. The same is true for the economy, which becomes more efficient in the presence of the citizens' free initiative. However, it is society that is responsible for control economic globalisation, striving to avert its evil effects. Given then that the State must be strengthened, we must ask ourselves which State? Individual countries are powerless and threats can only be faced on a continental scale, hence at European Union level. The referendum on the Union and its outcome have surely made today's democracy weaker, highlighting a resurgent populism. Which then, are the solutions to democracy's weakness? A start could be the endorsement of the political class by the population represented by them, to appoint a class which speaks the truth as opposed to using politically-correct language that actually distances it from the demands it should represent. A second element is to consider Europe’s cultural tradition; the political power has the task of preserving it.