The Atlantic Ocean supposedly separates the Old from the New World. Presuming such a pro-active role for an oceanic system does nothing to explain the wide-spread deepening political malaise which people in both geo-political spheres are experiencing. It is election year in Canada, the US as in the European Union and some individual member states. It is the "Voters" (at times equated with "tax-payers") turn to have their say. Yet although so many of them would have a lot to say, given the chance of having some half-decent choices, scores will abstain. Money talks and tens of millions 'walk a thin line' between living wages and below-subsistence pay or welfare. The "great escape" is on everyone's mind. In the meantime dental coverage and fortnightly salary lured low-skilled and unemployed youngsters to join Uncle Sam, who unexpectedly for the kids from Kentucky, turned out to be a serial war criminal. North of the 49th parallel, welfare cheques barely cover the rent; Atlantic Provinces depopulate, urban centres stagnate and 'ghettoize". The right time for a new Canadian idol it would seem. Strasbourg, France is the seat of the European Parliament. In June over 700 members from over 25 countries will be elected. In the 10 new countries, under-paid, idle or laid-off workers will move years closer to retirement age, before they will be allowed to compete for jobs, increasingly stripped of social benefits, in the 'core' countries. Inside the core, there is nothing great about the great divide between "haves" and "have-nots". Alienated young folks as well as pensioners are equally deprived of 'purchasing ' power that would allow them to move up and out of poverty. Most have traded in political participation for daily cynism.
As attention spans are now measured in seconds and learning curves fall flat, consumerism and entertainment effectively reduce, marginalize and even occasionally eliminate time and space for political engagement, debate and discourse. But still elections are regularly held in the "free world" as in the not quite so free one. Out of tradition, as rituals or out of actual democratic commitment, is hard to distinguish. That the democratic edifice is eroding and its inhabitants disappearing in the splendid world of self, spirituality and virtuality, is hardly contestable.
Kerry will "sweep" Bush away; the Liberals will be "licking their wounds" and perhaps a third of EU citizens will have chosen a symbolic Parliament as they continue to await economic upswings for all. The sparks that are needed to rekindle the passionate flames of democracy, will remain elusive. Political life will smoulder on, at least until the sleeping campers wake-up. Meanwhile those in the comfortable RVs will keep on singing lullabies.
The copyright of the article Sleep democracy, sleep in International Politics is owned by Glenn Brigaldino. Permission to republish Sleep democracy, sleep in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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