We are in an uncertain situation. The word crisis begins to reverberate. There is talk of a crisis in education, in values, in sports, in companies… The corruption of a few is not genetically hereditary which prevents its eradication, however, the State, by not knowing how to avert it, allows it to continue influencing, sowing insecurity and distrust in society.
We citizens attend for free a show that, lacking a script and direction, makes the outcome unpredictable. I have the feeling that I am becoming a mere spectator. What is expected of a spectator? You are expected to applaud, criticize, or make no comment during or after the performance. That’s how far how your commitment goes. The difference with the current situation is that it is not a representation, it is a reality that in the end will compromise our future. We have to give up being mere spectators to be actors. How? It occurs to me to think that it is a good time to look inward.
Look inside oneself, one’s own family, the company, the university, the neighborhood… What do we notice beyond the current situation whose effects have become natural? Lives, dreams, projects, desires, rebellions, values, principles, and also affection for the land. I’snt all these reasons enough to try a more positive reading of our environment? Isn’t it an opportune time to try to instill in our children – by word and example – those values that are believed, but that are conspicuous by their absence in our society?
Isn’t it a favorable opportunity to generate in the family, in the company, in the school, in the club, a stable and cordial climate, honoring commitments, giving explanations and eliminating all signs of compromise or suspicion? Isn’t it an opportune time to change the topics of conversation in interpersonal encounters, going from harsh and pessimistic criticism to highlighting the positive aspects of one’s own environment, sharing projects or exchanging ideas or constructive opinions? If you do not look inward to find the driving forces to move forward, you will fall into skepticism, indifference, abandonment and individualism.
In our country, there has been and still is a divorce between society and the state. A disjointed society is fertile ground for the growth of the overwhelming presence of the State. It is no coincidence that the fewer intermediate groups there are in a society, the State is perceived as “big” and “the one called” to organize all social, economic, educational and cultural tasks, appropriating the initiative and responsibility of the citizens with the consequent reduction of the field of their particular choices.
Looking inward means strengthening primary groups, especially families – cells of society – and from there seeking to associate with other families who want to achieve the same thing or with those who think similarly… so that governments continue to follow society and, not as is the case until now, that it depends on the temperament of the government in power.
The road to strengthening intermediate groups is long. But it is the safe route. Expecting change in society to originate from the top down is to continue feeding the vicious circle formed for a long time. It’s time for society. From the social background, intermediate societies must emerge with strength and momentum. Starting with families, neighborhoods, clubs, companies, civil associations, professional associations, universities… to union federations and associations. Grouping around the affinity of ideas and interests is the only way for society to strengthen itself and be a cohesive and strong interlocutor to prevent the ravings and abuses of the government in power.
A society articulated through its intermediate institutions is the best antidote against populism or collectivist experiments. Starting to look inward now will be a good sign for governments to understand that the “sovereign” is not the “people” as a generic entity, but the human person who, united in solidarity with others, constitutes society.
It is the time for
INTERMEDIATE
SOCIETIES
We have to give up
be mere spectators
to be actors
Voices – Edistio Cámere
