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| Image source: Google |
Going through COVID-19 pandemic surely will have a lasting impact in every aspect of our life. The worrying headlines with their terrifying numbers; The world leaders’ statements that makes you think you are fighting a war; All other crimes that apparently ceased to exist; Doesn’t all these make you wonder if there is more to it than you can perceive right now? Or at least, doesn’t it make you stop for a moment to question what you see around? Recently someone reminded me of a poem by Rudyard Kipling called ‘I Keep Six Honest Serving Men’. It made me think, or to put it more bluntly, it dared me to try to look beyond.
Until not long ago, culminating with Trump phenomenon, all states experienced in one way or another an increased distrust towards their political order. Perhaps not directly aimed to the government itself and mostly expressed as a dissatisfaction with the system and the democracy in general.
The gap between the political elites and the people became increasingly wider with little probabilities that there could have been a natural way in restoring it. There was the Brexit with its considerate impact, the yellow vests movement in France, the Catalan independence protesters, the Hong Kong’s unrest and many more.
Besides, with Turkey opening its borders Europe was at the verge of facing another refugee crisis, while for the millions caught in the conflict there was never a real involvement or a moral solution at the base of the political and economic greed. Finally, as if those were not enough, the former IMF managing director, Christine Lagarde, was stressing on how the longevity of elders presents a risk to the global economy.
There is no intention whatsoever in undermining the current situation, that certainly tested the human’s, businesses and countries capabilities, but it is worth wondering what potential impact all these could have for the post-coronavirus political environment.
‘We are at war’ declared the French President Emmanuel Macron few days ago, while Donald Trump promised a ‘total victory’ over this ‘invisible enemy’. These powerful, emotional messages imposing themes of fear, urgency and victory are continuously transmitted throughout the media and so far, have proved to be quite successful in gaining the support of the masses. Groups who until yesterday were chanting against them, are now putting their trust and admiration in their actions.
“Only a crisis - actual or perceived - produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around.” Milton Friedman
The idea of restoring the political order or contouring a new one through shock tactics, has been well elaborated in the past by Canadian author and social activist Naomi Klein. The pattern of waiting or creating a crisis – such as the Iraq war, for then allowing a state to take extraordinary measures in reconstructing its image and re-educating its society, has been widely used before. Perhaps the same shock doctrine that allowed governments to profit from disasters, would be the same one which this time would help restore their shattered legitimacy.
The possibilities in which COVID-19 could shape the future of politics, society, migration narratives and economics are endless and to some extent troubling. Hence, making these words again to flash brightly through my mind:
I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
I let them rest from nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views;
I know a person small
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!
She sends em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she opens her eyes
One million Hows, Two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!
