by 
On the final stretch towards the end of the painstaking process of memorandum negotiations, Greek politicians need to look ahead; with perseverance, inspiration and efficiency.
Political management will coordinate this effort, which should be comprehensive and inclusive, leaving behind the dividing lines of the past. Older people in the country continue to live in the ‘rear-view mirror’ syndrome that rules their perspective, since they are used to interpreting everything through the political prism, in confrontational terms. Well, we don’t need that anymore, unless we decide to consciously surrender to our ancient dna that made opposing cities in Greece to fight to their demise.
It is useful for the young generation to be informed about of local and international history (or to be aware of the ideological “readings” of relatively recent events), however, these elements should not rule the debate about the future. “Begin to live out of the glory of your imagination, not your memory,” famous writer Robin Sharma said; in Greece, we need more of that.
Political parties –for better or for worse- will be important parameters of the new course, providing they are able to respond to the demands of the new era.
Main political formations, SYRIZA and ND -and perhaps others that will come along- in order to survive, today and in the future, and more importantly to acquire government potential, are required to focus on moderate-driven strategies that spring up from the so-called political centre.
The Greek Left, after facing the music of austerity and geopolitical reality, has only one chance to survive: to put forward the human-centric dimension of economic development, which leads to social responsibility and sustainability. This will become possible through a creative Center-Left prism.
On the other hand, the Centre-Right should replace the neo-liberal influences with the human face of capitalism and explore other alternative paths that strengthen the human-centric economic model as well as socially responsible entrepreneurship, along with alternative fields, such as social economy and enterprising.
Somewhere in the centre, there is the new ideology most Greeks subscribe to, regardless of age and political preferences: the ideology of getting things done; in the economy, entrepreneurship, innovation, international relations.
To achieve this, the following are required:
1. Ideological adaptation to modern political reality. For the two leading political parties, SYRIZA and ND this entails overcoming the radical left origin and the right conservative turn respectively.
2. Preparation of creative proposals for the future of the country – circumstances require a new policy approach, free from ideological rigidities, superiority syndromes and bureaucratic rituals.
3. Modern political management, meritocracy and professionalism in collective knowledge management processes and applied politics.
4. Adoption of the principles of the ‘digital party’ with a view to widen people’s participation through social networks, as well as the best possible organization of knowledge through political R&D practices.
5. Nurturing of honest relationships with the authentic grassroots movements, placing young people in leadership positions, in direct contact with society.
6. Recognition of the fact that in the digital age, political parties have become media. This would require disengagement from established media barons and development of advanced news and message managing systems.
7. Emphasis on ethics. The new era requires honesty, sincerity, and minimization of dependence on vested interests.
Most of the aforementioned, brief arguments are products of common sense, dominating discussion amongst the Greek youth (in the country and abroad), along with the rejection of old political formations that are responsible for the crisis.
Young people’s disappointment from the past should not lead to anti-politics. It must be a reason for new politics, the leading figures of which, for the time being, remain in the shadow of the successors of yesterday.
Photo source: ERT, Twitter
