How can we build a better #PostCoronial world?
In our new #longread piece for @openDemocracy, @NC_Renic & I offer a vision from Germany.
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
Here’s a taste of what we propose (thread):
@IFSHHamburg #UnCancellingtheFuture #HamburgSessions
In our new #longread piece for @openDemocracy, @NC_Renic & I offer a vision from Germany.
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
Here’s a taste of what we propose (thread):
@IFSHHamburg #UnCancellingtheFuture #HamburgSessions
The #COVID19 crisis will be politically exploited, whether we like it or not - so let's make it for the better. We can’t cede this historic moment to authoritarian powers, reactionary ideas or conservative timidity and we can’t return to our flawed ‘business as usual’.
The scale of the response to COVID-19 highlights the degree to which radical change is possible. Germany and Europe should seize this chance to advance a bold vision for a better future. A more progressive, sustainable and just Post-Coronial world would have four key features:
1. Embrace the right kinds of national retrenchment & reject the wrong ones.
2. Build resilient societies that are more inclusive & remain international
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
2. Build resilient societies that are more inclusive & remain international
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
3. Accelerate smart automation, embrace localism & introduce a European Basic Income
4. Rise to the challenge of climate change by re-imagining mobilities and communities.
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
4. Rise to the challenge of climate change by re-imagining mobilities and communities.
opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
1/ National retrenchment should focus on using the state’s rediscovered power to shape our future societies, address the structural flaws in our economic models and public service provision. Let’s put the re-empowered state to work to
1/ End ‘Just Enough’ provision of key services and build slack into key systems – the cost of not doing so is now clear. End #JustInTime supply of crucial goods: inventory is NOT the enemy. But, reject autarky, move to common #EU procurement & production of medical equipment.
1/ Upgrade EU Cooperation to ensure that in securing national supplies, states don’t fall into a ‘beggar-thy-neighbour’ trap. #Germany can do more for European solidarity (& hopefully will at the #EUCO this week) – if not #Coronabonds then a viable alternative.
2/ #COVID19 has shown that our societies are only as resilient as our weakest members. More Resilient Societies must be more inclusive: offering security & hope to everyone, incl. the economically disadvantaged, homeless, socially & culturally disconnected, migrants & minorities.
2/ #COVID19 has already helped us re-imagine what is possible. For example, housing entire homeless populations overnight shows that problems conceived as a lack of capacity are, in fact, failures of imagination or political will. We now have a new logic – lets apply it broadly
2/ But we can’t stop at home. No society is an island (not even the UK). We’re only as resilient as the most vulnerable in our community of societies. We need to do more to help others develop broad and deep societal resilience too.
3/ #COVID19 has forced many people to work in new ways and places. It has stopped others from working at all. Emergency cash injections and income guarantees have gone from being impossible to inevitable. But joblessness and lack of cash won't disappear with the virus.
3/ #COVID19 will cause mass, medium-term economic hardship. In the longer term many economic sectors will be automated causing further unemployment. Let’s reduce the uncertainty & the worry, suffering & bad decisions that come from lack of cash. Let’s introduce #basicincome
3/ Let’s have a regionally-set ‘European Basic Income’ across the EU - & mass re-training & education programmes. Providing SURETY through income and POSIBILITY through training and education can turbo-charge Europe’s – & Germany’s - move to lead the global knowledge economy.
4/ States and citizens have accepted radical and rapid change in order to fight COVID-19. These changes should not be seen as sacrifices but as investments. The lessons this provides for our response to other existential challenges, including climate change, are obvious.
4/ People are NOT the problem. And though we need to change, we won’t do so if sustainability only offers a future devoid of comfort, joy, and indulgence. Instead, we can transform practices of work, understandings of mobilty & community to re-imagine how we retain & enhance them
4/ We should keep the dispersed working practices forced on us by #COVID19. Let’s move for desire not false ‘necessity’. End presenteeism & commuting, transform offices into housing, re-enchant our cities & re-invigorate our neighbourhoods. Provide community co-working spaces.
4/ Launch a European Public Transport Network, affordable high-speed rail to get Europe moving again, sustainably, & eliminate most intra-European flights. Long haul air travel is a necessary evil but can be re-nationalised & inter-governmentally coordinated.
In all of this #Germany should be a National Exemplar, Regional Leader, Global Player. It needs to step up & take responsibility for safeguarding European liberal democracy (firmer with HU, fairer with IT & ES) & providing global public goods. visegradinsight.eu/now-more-than-…
OK, now you’re provoked (if you’re still here ... ) - how would you make the Post-Coronial world for the better? Great to write this with @NC_Renic so please read the whole piece and let us know what you think! Thanks! opendemocracy.net/en/building-po…
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