HAU

Beware of Greeks bearing votes?

When George Papandreou suggested last year that the latest bailout package for Greece and its associated austerity measures be put to a referendum, the angry response from France was to label the proposal ‘irrational and dangerous’, Germany thought it ‘irritating’, the Italians ‘negative’. The very idea of letting the Greek people decide what would be best for them appeared anathema to the troika of EU, IMF and ECB officials. In short order Papandreou was gone, replaced by a government of national unity headed by an unelected banker. Just five days later he was followed by Berlusconi in Italy: replaced by a government of technocrats. In both cases voters were told that there was simply no alternative on offer and that certain economic ruin would result if the EU did not have its way.
But what do these events signify? Are we living in times when democracy is seen as a dangerous deviation from what the Eurozone really needs? A solution that only panels of experts can determine for us? Is politics more broadly – the struggle between alternative visions of the good life – something that just gets in the way of economists who might be able to remedy things if only they were given carte blanche? Above all, do we still trust the ordinary man next-door with a vote on issues of such vital importance? And, if we don’t, who should decide for us?

Speakers:
Antigone Lyberaki, Professor of Economics, Panteion University
Brendan O’ Neill, editor of Spiked magazine, author
Nikos Sotirakopoulos, PhD student, research assistant, University of Kent, Canterbury
Nikos Raptis, author, director of “Progressive Politics”,National Council, Ecologist Greens
Zoe Vrontisi, National Council, Ecologist Greens
Coordinator: Ashley Frawley, researcher, University of Kent, Canterbury

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