Macron and the European liberalism

In today’s Europe, people do not understand what politicians mean when they say liberalism or a liberal order. The concept has lost its meaning, in the minds of the citizens. It is in many ways associated with elitism and all the bad things that come from globalisation. It cannot mobilise people. It is a mistake to insist on it when speaking about change and a better future for Europe.

And, unfortunately, that is the label that President Macron risks to see attached to his proposals.

Best wishes for 2019

Time to wish all my readers a very happy 2019.

And to promise I will be around, as much as possible, and try to propose balanced views, innovative analysis, and the appropriate critique, when necessary.

That’s a very demanding agenda, I agree. But that’s what is needed at this time of confusion, superficiality and self-centred communication that is nothing but distortion and egoistic promotion of one’s agenda.

Let’s move on.

Remain focused and patient

No problem, I thought, if one keeps repeating the same key messages over and over because in any case most people are not in a listening mood. The point is to repeat them with consistency, clarity and grace. 

On a Saturday evening...

I left my home country almost 35 years ago. Since then, I have lived in about 10 different countries, for professional reasons.

Every time I changed I felt like someone initiating a new life opportunity. It was, in many ways, a feat of magic that kept me alert and open-minded. It also helped me to appreciate the many challenges people face in many corners of the world. And allowed me to compare situations and give them their relative weight. But it also taught me that the only good answer to a major challenge is enlightened resoluteness. 

Politics of hope or fear

If you are in politics and public affairs, do not forget to read Cicero’s speeches from time to time. They are a major source of wisdom and oratory. Cicero lived long ago, from 106 to 43 BC, in the Ancient Rome, but his observations about the powerful and human nature remain current.

Today, I looked again at the following observation he made in his work “Oratory”:

“Men are influenced in their verdicts much more by prejudice…or anger…or by some excitement of their feelings, than either by the facts of the case…or by any rules or principles…”

My comment: That’s why objectivity in politics carries very little water!

My conclusion: Better to create hope, then!