Municipal workers
clashes with riot police during a demonstration against the presence of a
German deputy labour minister Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, in Thessaloniki on
November 15, 2012.
Editor's note: Dr Athanasia Chalari is a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Worcester and a research associate at the Hellenic Observatory, London School of Economics.
London (CNN) -- For the last three years Greek
society has suffered a prolonged period of economic and political
crisis, which has been magnified by unprecedented austerity measures.
The crisis has caused social destabilization, and dramatically affected the everyday lives of Greeks.
Such measures have never
before been implemented in any European Union country, and their
political and social consequences have not been effectively calculated
or, in many respects, even anticipated.
Modern Greece suffered
ongoing turbulence during the 20th century, from the Balkan wars and
conflict with Turkey to the Nazi occupation, civil war and the military
juntas.
These all caused
significant delays in social, political and economic development, and
did not allow Greek society to form and organize freely.
After the fall of the
last military junta in 1974, democracy in Greece was rapidly restored
but it was not done so systematically nor thoroughly. Inevitably,
structural dysfunctions formed.
Today, Greeks are
experiencing a different social reality, characterized by uncertainty,
insecurity, distress, disappointment and the inability to map out any
form of future for their lives.
Last year I conducted thirty five in-depth interviews with Greeks aged between 20 to 65, who are still living in the country.
Participants expressed
negativity, pessimism and disorientation, particularly regarding the
lack of any specific plan to improve their everyday lives.
"We see our dreams get
destroyed, and our hopes for a better future disappear," said one
27-year old woman, an unemployed doctor.
Their comments reflect
the overall reality in Greece: Unemployment rates have increased
continuously, with the overall rate now at 24.4%. For those aged under
24, it's hit 55%.
Everyday life for many
people has become more challenging, as crime increases, inflation
remains high and redundancies become an everyday occurrence.
Even those who have an
income cannot escape, as cuts continue and salaries and pensions are
sliced by 40%. The monthly basic salary has now dropped from 739 euros
in 2009 to 586 euros in 2012. In contrast, the price of essential goods
has not dropped, and taxes have continued to rise.
Participants in the
study felt cornered and cross as they explained that they were trapped
by a government system that was only concerned about maintaining power
without offering anything in return.
"We lived part of our
lives in a way we didn't deserve, but the system allowed us to do it," a
37-year old electrician explained.
"They didn't stop us. They even encouraged us. So if the system works in a certain way you have no option but to follow."
Greeks are progressively
losing their trust in a political system which consists mainly of the
parties and politicians who have governed the country during the last 30
years.
The elections earlier
this year resulted in a coalition government in which the two
significantly weakened opposing parties -- who have governed Greece
since 1974 -- joined forces in order to renegotiate financial aid.
But the most damaging
aspect remains how Greeks collectively and repeatedly fail to identify
any possibility of future improvement as their faith in current
government drops.
Instead, they perceive
the implementation of austerity measures as an ongoing punishment, even
revenge, from the European Union which will have no positive result and
have no end in sight.
"The situation is
tragic, not because of the economy but because of the fact that there is
no future," a 55-year old journalist said. "We have been convinced
about that. There is no prospect. This is killing us."
Other people explained
that the lack of an inspirational politician or party, coupled with the
realization that the worst is yet to come, has made them alarmed how
they can face each day.
For many the main
priority is how to make a living, not lose their jobs or how to get a
job. They are grateful if they are still employed, although some note
that employment conditions are becoming more exploitative.
As a 46-year old teacher
put it: "Professionally, I don't know if I will have a job tomorrow
and, personally, I have no desire to do anything joyful anymore. There
is so much insecurity about everything."
As Greek society
experiences unparalleled social, political and economic crises, it is
still uncertain what peoples' tolerance levels will be once further
austerity measures -- and their consequences -- are implemented.
Participants expressed
agony about the future of their country, although they have also
realized their own part of responsibility in this crisis (even if it was
passive). Many are mindful of passing on their harmful mindset to their
children.
Until there are
improvements to everyday lives, the structure of the state or political
life, then Greeks will continue to feel angry, cross and cornered. This
has led to the popularity of extremist groups such as the right-wing
Golden Dawn.
This crisis has
triggered an unpredictable domino of incalculable social consequences --
and when and how it will end is still unknown. It remains to be seen if
other European societies will follow the Greek path or if social
stability can be restored.
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