Politicians Out – Technocrats In

Within days of each other, two technocrats have replaced the elected political leaders in both Greece and Italy. Moreover, the level of abuse hurled at some of the departing leaders was unique in living memory. Many saw them, perhaps unfairly, as part of the problem. The crowds of violent and nearly violent protestors which jeered the present incumbents – in Greece calling the president a traitor and in Italy hurling various forms of abuse at Berlusconi as he left parliament – resounded with echoes of the Arab Spring.
There seems to be a loss of tolerance for mismanagement from national leaders that in previous eras was acceptable. High levels of unemployment and frustration with the continuing saga of the Euro-zone have frayed tempers. Decades of petty corruption, mismanagement and party infighting, have left both Italy and Greece with dysfunctional economies. Both countries faced the need for major economic changes which seemed to be beyond the powers of their politicians. Their hope is that the technocrats will be able to do better.

TECHNOCRATS TO THE RESCUE?

Will the technocratic approach work? Given the nature of the problems facing the Euro-zone, there is considerable doubt that they will. Even if the effort fails, it may still do considerable good. The introduction of technocrats and the pressures of impending bankruptcy may succeed in bringing about much needed measures which, for one reason or another, have proved to be beyond the ability to the democratically elected governments. If the technocrats manage to defeat the powerful interest groups which have contributed to a destructive and inefficient and intractable public sector, an inability to collect taxes in Greece as well as widespread corruption in politics, it will be no small achievement.
Perhaps the resort to technicians in government has been brought about by changes in the political environment stemming from the Euro-crisis. National leaders are increasingly subject to international pressures. Now it’s not only a question of local acceptance and popularity. Nations and their leaders are increasingly under pressure to meet externally imposed objectives.
Much to their annoyance, local politicians now find that their countries are monitored and influenced by international bond markets and international rating agencies, Moody’s, Fitch etc. There is also the European Commission, the IMF and the ECB (the dreaded troika) to consider. It is no accident that both of the new technocrats have held previous positions within European governing structures (Mario Monti as a European Commissioner and Lucas Papademos as Vice President of the European Central Bank).

GROWING DISENCHANTMENT

Whatever the reasons, there seems to be a growing intolerance with local politicians in much of the world. The evidence here in Cyprus is very visible in the demonstrations outside the presidential palace. The report on the Mari disaster has disabused any voters who may have had illusions about the competence of our governing officials. Over and beyond that, there is a perception that local politicians are lacking in some of the skills required in the context of the present Euro-crisis.
This is particularly true as regards competence in economic matters. Leaders abroad seem to place a higher priority and devote more time and effort to economic problems. Whether it is Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel or Barack Obama – all can be seen devoting major portions of their time in leading the struggle with economic initiatives and problems facing their respective countries. They quite understand that their future careers and electoral prospects depend on economic success. In Cyprus, political leaders have historically downgraded economic matters, giving priority to “The Cyprus problem”.

THE “KYPRIAKO”