Cyprus - Get out of the box

Democracy: That specific word has a wonderful ring to it— save the disharmony and echoes of cacophony between those harmonious sounds— it remains the best sound as opposed to Theocracy, Dictatorship, Tyranny and Repression! Among the ashes of uncertainty there always comes a time when democracy outshines and surprises all with a glimmer of hope for those people of lesser gods. Trapped in a merry-go-round, a vast population is unable to escape the reality of events and whether equal or not, they, nevertheless are compelled to cast a vote as a civic duty to ensure the continuation of a democratic system meant, “to serve all people equally!”, a Revolution of the Mind Series article by Andreas C Chrysafis.

To overcome the ugliness of tyrannical rule, the inspired Athenian Democracy (5thto 4th century BCE) was born out of necessity and although short-lived (180 years) it continues to inspire citizens for a government “by the people for the people”. Greek Democracy demanded that only free adult males were privileged to have equal rights, freedom of speech and to participate in the political arena while thousands of slaves, foreigners and non-Athenians including all women were excluded from participation. Even in those times, prized democratic principles were manipulated to serve the interests of an elitist sector in society—not so different from today’s modern democracy! In Athens, a small minority of citizens were actually eligible to cast a “Yes” or a “No” vote to elect a candidate in the Assembly (Demos). The right to cast a “No” vote against a candidate was also a recognized practice and highly valued, which carried the same weight as a “Yes” vote!

In fact, 10% of the Athenian population were entitled to participate during Assembly elections and only the rich and wealthy qualified to run for office on the assumption, that “the rich had no need to steal from the state”! If convicted for embezzlement or exposed to corrupt behaviour for self-gain, the penalties were severely harsh; property confiscation, public humiliation and execution if the crime was severe enough.

This is in direct contradiction of today’s electoral systems that have been manipulated to recognize only “Yes” votes but also offer political immunity for wrongdoing.

When the “ideal Athenian democracy” was first introduced, in fact, it operated under an erratic pseudo-democratic system where in reality, a Minority ruled over the Majority and in direct contradiction to the notion of “elected majority rule!” Yet, the revolutionary idea of “democratic majority rule” inspired the world over for hundreds of years with people seeking to enjoy the rewards of a free thinking society.

The valued concept of Democracy forever inspires uprisings, revolutions and changes to unpopular governments but at the same time, it also revealed that something has badly gone wrong in the translation along the way. The popular idea of equality and majority rule has ultimately lost its true meaning and been replaced by the realization that there can never be good government as long as morally impoverished politicians are elected to govern the state. This power-hungry virus of political piranhas has become a common manifestation in society and has successfully managed to manipulate democracy from deep inside its bowels.

Out of the ashes of social manipulation, a new entity has arisen to influence people and political-party control; that’s Politicocracy or Kommatokratia in Greek, which is dogmatically driven that divides communities and citizens alike for power. Voter-manipulation is a most shameful act indeed, which it also reveals a grim reality: those elected soon forget those that put them into office!

Political party shambles

When the party system was first introduced late 18th century in Europe and the United States—UK’s Conservative Party and the Democratic Party in the USA—political parties were founded on valued principles; to indoctrinate and produce better citizens, offer social support, camaraderie and help those in need but also to gain power and ensure that party-commitments were sacrosanct. Modern parties work quite the opposite; their priority is to themselves! The prime objective is to increase party-membership and ensure support to win elections or use the art of political-party alchemy to form coalitions for power-sharing in government!

The grand idea of electing a democratic government has in fact become a farce of sorts but especially in smaller countries like Cyprus or Greece where voter abstention has reached over fifty percent. In some other countries those figures are even higher! In the advent of time, this proves that the noble idea of living under a popular democratic system, it has been bastardised and an elected minority soon gains power to govern the majority—just like in ancient Athens!

The social phenomenon of “voter rebellion” makes a farce of democracy rule, and without a doubt, is widespread across the EU and other countries and yet, structured political parties refuse to accept they are a part of the problem for causing people’s mistrust of politicians at the polls. In fact the electorate often use the ballot box as a show of punishment against a system that has bitterly failed their expectations; a system where governments shrouded in a cocoon of opulence operate in support of other governments and not necessarily in support of the people! The public’s tolerance of negative politics and institutional corruption ultimately produces failed states. Citizens today, feel betrayed by failed democracies that may mean well but instead, abuse peoples’ votes for self-interests.

The Republic of Cyprus offers unique opportunity of becoming a Jewel of the Med and yet, bad politics and bad decisions stagnate its potential! Reality never falters and sadly today, forty percent of the island remains occupied due to the Turkish military invasion and occupation, meanwhile the government—without public consent—decided to abandon the right to govern the country in exchange for EU political, social and economic integration controlled by the faceless Brussels bureaucracy and the unelected Almighty Commission.

Political parties in Cyprus—including the church—share a powerful stranglehold over people’s minds, which helped to create a nation of followers rather than a nation of leaders. A survey was conducted asking university students what their plans are after graduation and most replied, “Get a good government job because it pays well; offers security and a good pension!” Shocking answers but at least truthful, which describes the new Cypriot mentality. Where is the motivation of taking risks or, the initiative to leap forward and succeed by relying on one’s own merit? Since 1960, society in Cyprus has changed and those “in the know”, soon prospered while the rest remain witnesses of a two-tier society. Today, ethos prevails as no government dares to makes ripples in a cosy political-party relationship that offers opportunities in a power-hungry system.

Society in peril

Meritocracy breeds Excellence and it’s a far better system than Democracy that breeds nepotism and corruption! In such a system, the “Bottom-Up” principle is a much-preferred choice rather than the existing “Top-Down” practice of the minority-few that control governments and political parties in general. Under Meritocracy anyone with skills and imagination can aspire to reach the highest echelons in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Individuals selected for prime positions are judged on ability, skills and virtues rather than social status, years of service, wealth or race so commonly practiced in a flawed state.

One of those states that shy away from Meritocracy is Cyprus! Nepotism it’s an appalling practice of social inequality and one that nibbles away from those cherished—if not perceived—values of majority rule and people’s rights. Winning votes by the political elite has become an obsession and squander millions to spin and influence voters with one aim in mind; to retain the status quo of a political-party dominance over the country and people’s lives.

The 2024 European Election results offer a prime example of how democracy failed people’s aspirations across the Eurozone where voter turnout averaged 51.05%. With the high-recorded levels of abstention (54.5%) one can honestly claim the EU has become an institution where a minority group of unelected bureaucrats rule over the majority! Certainly that’s not what democracy is all about! Voter abstention and rising nationalism; the casting of blank and invalid white votes as well as apathy, offer real political problems for consideration; but problems for whom? For the European Union or the European Parliament? For national governments, or problems for the political parties, or for the citizens themselves?

There are serious warning signs if one cares to look! The continuation and deterioration of democratic principles manipulated by rogues and mediocre political-party officials chosen on nepotism rather than merit would always remain the biggest stumbling block for the development of a fair state. On the island of Cyprus this has always been the case. Anyone can become a politician or official in high places without qualifications and be assigned privileged positions to oversee multimillion state budgets. In most cases, it is not qualifications that matter, but which party one belongs to and whom he or she knows that counts; but most importantly, connections matter and merit does not come into the equation!

Phenomenon in a democracy

Lambros Dionysios, a young honoured student of the Faculty of Positive and Applied Sciences of the University of Cyprus during his graduation ceremony at a packed audience described his inner thoughts that became a national topic for discussion.

“I am leaving (Cyprus) without knowing if, or when I will return because I know that if I stay in Cyprus, the moment will come when someone will be considered better than me not because of their knowledge, skills and experience, but because of the political party of his identity and family connections. I am leaving, because the only thing this country manages to do over time is to disappoint and cut the wings of its young people. The lack of meritocracy in Cyprus leads young people to seek their fortunes abroad.”

His lengthy sharp speech coming from the heart received a loud standing ovation and caused humiliation to those government officials present. Such powerful revelations disclose that the government and the political structure in Cyprus have failed the young man and many others like him.

At the other end of the political spectrum, democracy provides political opportunities for all—whether they are worth it or not! The election of a 23-year-old Fidias Panayioutou as an MEP in the 2024 European Parliament has sent shockwaves across the political landscape in Cyprus.

A prankster, a teaser, joker and a YouTuber and Tik-Toker—with more than two million followers—added his celebrity candidacy for election as a prank to enhance his YouTube followings. Surprisingly enough; he was elected with over 71.000 votes and three times more than the other five well-known political candidates. In fact, he publicly admitted he had no interest in current affairs and he was totally ignorant of politics in Cyprus. His election win was a phenomenon but it also served as a slap on the existing dinosaur political parties that refuse to act in the interest of the people but only to themselves! It also unveiled that Democracy—by the power of votes or celebrity status—seems to accept incompetence or ignorance as a right to govern or secure official positions without qualifications for the job at hand; only votes matter! As another example of blind democracy, Volodymyr Zelenskiy—a career TV comedian—was also a celebrity with no political experience, and yet, he was elected to govern Ukraine.

Under such conditions, Democracy has been reduced to an arrangement that inherently rewards ineptitude using votes as a measuring stick to political success without criteria and social implications or accountability. Anyone off the street linked with a political party can in fact be elected and make decisions affecting millions of people’s lives and that, cannot be right!

The meritocrats

There comes a time when radical changes are necessary to make fundamental alterations to the democratic process and make Meritocracy the driving force behind decisions for a more transparent and accountable politics. The consideration of establishing an “Academy of Politics and Leadership”—free-for- all—within the education system, can offer a glimmer of hope for producing better character in citizens but also better behaviour in politics now dominated by a privileged sector in society.

The valued idea of such an Academy (Ἀκαδημία) in the state, —which Plato equally advocated—would help to produce better politics in society liberated from the existing trappings of nepotism and corruption. The founding of such an Academic concept—for would-be politicians—will probably take years before society can actually feel the benefits of such a social transformation in better government and wiser politicians.

Establishing an “Academy of Politics and Leadership” can offer graduates a chance to academically study politics in governance. Rewarded by a dignified Academy Degree, it can pave the way forward to facilitate entry into a career in the political life of the state. Such far-reaching idea can ultimately provide social freedom from the despicable manipulation and dependence on the existing Politicocracy (Kommatokratia) that controls youth movements, sports, government institutions but also most of the population.

The assembly of a team of international experts in politics, think tanks, recognized “social brains” and academics including constitutionalists is of the utmost importance and most critical if such innovative concept is to succeed or not! The mission of the Assembly of Brains is to review the democratic process at its roots and come up with a plan to introduce an Academic political curriculum structure to be adopted as a blueprint for cultivating the minds of all those aspiring politicians to respect and uphold the principle of Meritocracy at its highest esteem instead of the current nepotistic behaviour and corruption!

Budding politicians wishing to venture into a political career as Members of Parliament (MP’s) or other high ranking political positions should be prepared to enter the “Academy of Politics and Leadership” as a prerequisite to running for public office. The existence of such an Academy of Meritocrats will not create the perfect or the Ideal Democracy but it would certainly help to improve the mind-set of future politics in Cyprus and break Out of the Box through a Meritocratic system free from an immature celebrity Democracy.

Andreas C Chrysafis was born of Greek parents in Cyprus and hosts a Cypriot, British and Canadian citizenship. He lived most of his life in the UK and Canada and Cyprus. He’s a published author of five books and a recognized artist while his thought-provoking articles (over 450) continue to be read globally. He is not politically affiliated but is a strong advocate of Rule of Law, Democracy, Transparency, Equality and Human Rights and also a robust opponent of Corruption.

Artworks: www.artpal.com/chrysafis

Book titles: https://www.amazon.com/Andreas-C. -Chrysafis/e/B00478I90O

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