The politics of tension. The road to authoritarian models

Statesmen are decreasing. We are affronting new ages. Are humanity going to authoritarian models or are we going just to a new status-quo?

For years I have been perceiving something that I would like to share with you, to know your opinion and that you, in turn, know mine.

I live in Spain, but I follow international politics very closed and, I can see common patterns. It no longer matters which country (whichever one), votes matter. This is not new, although you can agree with me that, not many years ago, certain serious situations, State-issues, were concluded with great national pacts between rulers and the opposition. Everything had its moment.

Starting with the European Union

Now we can see a European Union in decline. An EU where political leaders put their national electorates against the solidarity on which Europe was built. We have forgotten the economy and social prosperity that we built together.

In every European state, the overwhelming majority, from south to north and east to west, the political parties clashes with common sense. I prefer to take the country to an election rather than sit down and negotiate budgets. I prefer to hide behind the fact that I do not support you because that would prevent the rise of another party… And so with infinite “I…”

Consolidated democracies like the United States

In the United States, like in most countries in an election year, there is an increase in political tension where they try to attract the niche electorate. Even so, causes such as the Covid-19 crisis make other internal struggles in the country such as the racial struggle or the struggle for LGTBI rights cause movements such as white supremacy or homophobia to emerge (re-emerge) to exorbitant levels. There are hardships and everything that can stir up the hornet’s nest to get votes in good.

Politics is a reflection of society, there is no doubt about that, but there is so much tension at the top that it is no longer flows from the bottom (citizens) to the top (government, parliaments, parties…). This flow has been going back down for some time and now a synergy has been generated.

Extremists growing

These are times of uncertainty. The Covid-19 has broken with the status-quo of a society that has been detrimental to democracy for years. A democracy where the middle class is gradually disappearing.

At least, in the past, it was easier to share opposing ideas with someone else. Now, every day the tension of the summit comes down to the foot of the mountain. Today is more difficult to discuss people with different opinions. It is risky.

The problem with tension is that it produces institutional blockages and above all produces political polarization. The extremes are not healthy and, although not all extremist parties can govern with authoritarianism, it is true that historically they have been the great promoters of dictatorships or fake democracies. The citizenry is tired.

Sad is the reality, but there is hope!

We can change our way of thinking, which is not easy but, if we stop becoming aware and try to be critical and open to social debates, in the future we will be able to revert that flow to its initial condition. If not, we could be facing the biggest mistake of our lives.