Abstract
On 18 October 2012, the European People's Party (EPP) Congress in Bucharest approved a new programme of basic principles to replace the earlier Athens Programme. The new Bucharest Programme is based on the same principal choices and characteristics that have defined the EPP from its foundation; at the same time, it reflects the party's broadening to include a number of new member parties and adapt to the new challenges faced by European politics, economy and society. Yet the new Platform, the result of two and a half years’ work by an ad hoc committee, should not be the end of our reflections and proposals. On the contrary, it should generate an intensive round of discussions, studies and publications on its four main elements: values, innovation, a strong Europe and vital communities. This article summarises the central elements of the new EPP Platform. Together, these elements can reposition the EPP as the political movement for the future, while at the same time presenting a vision and a solution to the challenges of our time.
Introduction
In only a few decades, worldwide developments have changed nearly all aspects of our lives. These changes have brought us numerous improvements in wealth, health, technology and communication, among others. Yet while globalisation has brought more people into contact with each other than ever before, it has also left a void where people feel alone and distanced from their neighbours and local communities. Citizens have quickly lost touch with society and politics in their traditional forms. It is not easy to find a political answer to these contradictory developments, but the European People's Party (EPP) demonstrates the importance of local interconnectedness in times of globalisation while pursuing the common good on a worldwide level.
Acute changes in politics, economics and society
Recent dramatic changes in the economy and financial world have revealed the limitations of our patterns of behaviour, the unsustainability of an overstretched post-war welfare system and the vulnerability of an insufficiently controlled free market and banking complex. Moreover, unprecedented developments in the balance of world powers emphasise the shrinking role of our continent in international politics and demography, precisely at a moment in which citizens have become completely interdependent. Upcoming scarcities in energy, water and possibly food signal the end of an era of affluence. Feelings of uncertainty, anguish and resignation are increasing, overlaid with a lack of perspective. Simultaneously, there have been many economic benefits: the overcoming of poverty in large parts of Europe, an unprecedented period of peace, stability and freedom together with technological innovations in nearly all areas of society have created an environment conducive to prosperity, entrepreneurship and a large diversity of economic and social activities.
In addition, society has changed. Daily, people observe far-reaching cultural, religious and ethical changes and ruptures with the past. In so many aspects, twenty-first-century Europe no longer resembles our structures of society, convictions and lifestyles of only a few decades ago. Traditional cohesion has eroded, and a common ethical or societal basis necessary for decision-making is often lacking, as is the strength of traditional institutions that hold society together. Added to the developments on the economic and geopolitical front, this amplifies the longing for a lost society and, above all, leads to a denial of today's realities and their implications for people's attitudes, behaviour and outlook. Nevertheless, social mobility, emancipation and better education have created the conditions for self-realisation, the opportunity to make professional and ethical choices independently, and have added to personal and social freedom. More acceptance of pluralism, the restoration of the historical role of regions, accessible virtual communications and cheap transportation have fostered new communities, as well as a new sense of belonging to a European identity. A new ethical awareness is on the rise, ranging from concerns about the violation of human rights of individual citizens globally to feeling responsible for the environment.
These changes in society and the economy also reflect changes in politics. We should not deny that voters’ behaviour in general has become volatile and that incidents can change electoral preferences overnight. There is a declining trust in the democratic process, opening a gap between citizens and their representatives. A sense of alienation is developing between governments, institutions, parties and politicians, on the one hand, and citizens on the other. This process has certainly accelerated in a culture where the media often acts on the basis of sensationalism and financial gain, while various politicians succumb to the temptation to respond to this sensationalism. Indifference, abstention, radicali-sation or populism is often the consequence, precisely at a moment when trust, engagement, vision and courage are needed.
The quest for stability and respect
In line with the societal and cultural changes indicated above, we understand that so many suppositions that were valid in previous decades have been altered. For the EPP, which has always represented the broad spectrum of our societies and has been the dominant factor of stability and governability for so many decades across Europe, our frame of reference should be exactly these developments in the domain of political participation, public information and the bridge between citizens and their representatives. We see that a large part of our constituency has remained faithful to our message and that simultaneously, many new and young voters are placing their trust in our political party. This gives the EPP a clear signal that confidence, participation and engagement will be retained and achieved as long as we continue to combine our own unique vision and expertise with the courage to make sometimes difficult and long-term choices. People are longing for real problem-solving engagement from the party they support. Moreover, there is another trend in political and societal life: a demand for authenticity, for decision-making on the basis of stable values and a long-term vision that does not shy away from addressing the real problems and opportunities. The answer to today's indifference, nostalgia and populism is the restoration of perspective and hope, the search for the meaning of life as well as a long-term vision.
The European People's Party is determined to address these challenges and opportunities. Indeed, the EPP's choices must stem from its values and its vision that focuses on both the individual and society, and from a respect for our shared history and traditions.
What should the EPP response be?
The EPP should pursue the common good of all the peoples of Europe and for the full spectrum of the population, regardless of class, income, religious conviction, sex, ethnicity, age and location, whether from newcomer countries or founding Member States. Our hallmark as a people's party is that we have always been a representative party that, more than other parties, stands close to the people. This also implies that we value our communication and networks throughout society, and that we must cherish direct and intensive contact with our constituencies. Being a people's party is for us a matter of conviction, because politics is more than the promotion of group interests or single-issue advocacy. We stand in a tradition of strong and stable values, which are at the same time our source of inspiration and our criteria for judgement and valuation. What has changed is the way in which citizens and politicians translate these values into opinions and choices. For many of us, the inspiration and teachings of the Christian Social movement are an ongoing source of reference. Others are motivated by the sometimes dramatic historical and societal bankruptcies of other doctrines, or derive their convictions from different religious and philosophical reflections. But we are all aware that our time and our democracy need a reorientation towards values and the search for a meaningful purpose.
Freedom and responsibility, justice and solidarity, subsidiarity and stewardship, reconciliation and compassion are the legacy of our party. They are the beacons on our way to the future, while our starting point is the uniqueness and dignity of each human being. We think that there is more than state and market, and that they can only function properly when society and its human communities are recognised. Our end goal is ultimately the common good of humanity, society and the earth. In these days of confusion and denial with respect to the importance of fundamental values, the EPP strongly promotes the relationship between its political stance and its underlying principles. Only in this way can respect and trust in politics be regained.
It is, first of all, the preservation and future of our economy and prosperity that demands an entrepreneurial, industrious and innovative EU. Its resilience and growth are closely linked with the model of the social market economy. This has been conceived and developed, like the project of Europe itself, within our own tradition and ranks. Neither the dominance of state and government nor the absence of a regulatory framework and safety nets are acceptable to us. We strive at a balance between profit-making, room for entrepreneurship and personal responsibility, on the one hand, and on the other a regulatory framework, a facilitating state and a safety net for those who otherwise would not stand a chance. In other domains we need a state that is strong and effective. The first decade of this century has proven that both a heavily deregulated market and a welfare state that replaces the personal responsibility and creativity of its citizens are completely unsustainable. Our social market economy model has just demonstrated a new relevance after this demise. But it should be renewed and modernised to meet actual far-reaching changes: the revolutionary technological breakthroughs, the demographic developments, the competition from countries with low labour costs, the new scarcities. It should be competitive in the transition from the industrial era towards a knowledge-based and green economy. A new spirit of entrepreneurship, adequate and ever-refreshed, a committed engagement from employers and employees, room for small and medium-size and family-owned enterprises and a culture of innovation, research, development and mobility should go hand in hand with facilitating policies and a high-quality public sector. This will create the much-needed new perspectives, competitive strength and, above all, hope for individual citizens, their enterprises and the economy as a whole. Once again, the EPP will step up and take responsibility for leading the economy to growth.
Sound economic development is the best condition for the integration and cohesion of society. But that is not enough as far as this paramount challenge is concerned. We should avoid a society symbolised by gated communities and lawless quarters. In this age of individualisation and globalisation, vital communities are the best answer to fragmentation and alienation. Civic initiatives, institutions and associations should have the freedom, the recognition and the facilities to carry out their activities on all levels of the EU: family ties, thriving neighbourhoods, organisational structures such as professional associations, cooperatives, local communities, parishes and voluntary services are all indispensable for the vitality and coherence of our societies. Meanwhile, space for a public role for churches and religious communities should be ensured. All these organisations should be able to operate without overregulation from the government. For Europe, now marked by an unprecedented pluralism, cohesion is sometimes difficult to establish, though we have to accept the fact that future migration from outside the EU will be necessary to accomplish a successful Europe. This acceptance implies for all of us an engagement with the integration of newcomers and for them a respect for the law, as well as for the traditions and historical identity of our societies.
Our ideal society is characterised by adherence to our basic norms, laws, languages and traditions while providing space for individual and communal expressions and choices. This should also be the case for choices in the domain of ethics, where we have to concede that the uniformity of the past and the position of former guiding institutions have been affected. In a world of diversity and commercialisation, we have to make public choices on the key question of whether everything that is possible should also be permitted. Our criteria here are room for reflection and research, the principle of precaution and the sanctity of life.
Europe remains the way forward
We are deeply convinced that a strong and united Europe has been and will continue to be indispensable to the well-being of our peoples and societies. As the driving force for this historically unique achievement, European integration and unity is a precondition not only for peace, freedom and prosperity, but also–-and especially in our age of globalisation–-for securing our economic, societal and cultural interests as well as our values. A strong Europe is necessary to implement our responsibility for the human family worldwide and for our common future. We are convinced that none of the major problems at home are solvable without taking into account their global dimensions. Our position in the world, but also our economy, the renewal of our society and even the vitality of our civilisation will benefit from a continuation and intensification of the European integration process.
In the course of less than a century Europe's position in the world has changed tremendously, from a dominant role to a co-partner at best. Since 2000 this development has accelerated in an unprecedented manner. In the coming decades we will fall under the 5% mark in terms of world population. Together with Europe's staggering economic growth, this demands a completely new stance on our interests and their implementation within this new world order. At the same time, we cannot be indifferent to the fact that one billion of our cohabitants still live below the poverty line. We also have to recognise that the pursuit of the common good is no longer possible without the recognition of its global implications. Insecurities and fragilities on the other side of the globe have an immediate impact on our existence at home, as do pandemics, scarcities of water, energy and food, and above all the exhaustion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity. Notably, climate change is a challenge that can only be tackled by a common vision and worldwide engagement. This reality of globalisation therefore demands action from Europe on three levels: an intensified strategy to defend our interests; compassion for those parts of the world population whose survival and decent living is at stake; and a cooperative effort to secure a global common good.
Our party stands for this open, forward-thinking and future-oriented approach. In the two decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Europe has concentrated mainly on its internal agenda; now it is time to look outward and to design an imaginative agenda for a new Europe in a new world order.
Conclusion
Our identity as the European People's Party should be defined by four pillars. First, political choices and action should be values-based, with the dignity of the person as the starting point and the common good as our purpose. Especially in times of uncertainty, it is important that values form the basis of our political orientation, as they provide a strong framework with which all citizens can identify and feel secure. Second, our commitment to Europe is, more than ever, essential for relevant and future-oriented answers to today's challenges and for a strong contribution to the globalisation process that is also humane and sustainable. Third, a modernised social market model will provide new perspectives and hope for economic growth and prosperity. Innovation, stewardship, commitment, personal responsibility and safety nets are key elements for the protection of our interests in a competitive world. And fourth, a renewal and strengthening of society, local communities and civic institutions are badly needed to tackle the alienation and cultural and financial fragmentation that is a general reaction to cosmopolitism and globalisation. With this framework the EPP will be clearly recognisable and distinguishable from other political formations and thoughts, primarily because of the benefit it offers to all European citizens through an engaged society.
Our party works towards a prosperous, sustainable and responsible Europe while renewing the bridge between citizens and the domain of politics and democracy. A new bond of trust between politicians and the public is being realised by the EPP, through working closely with citizens to strengthen society from the political centre. The EPP's political programme along with the authenticity and recognisability of its representatives lead the way to renewed support, participation and active citizenship. What we need in our societies and what we offer our citizens are values, expertise and, above all, political vision. In today's politics, vision is often neglected, but it is essential for a successful future. The EPP endeavours to restore visionary leadership to the political discourse. By advocating values, vision, active citizenship and trust we will build a society, a Europe and a world that will prosper. Along those lines we should deepen our concerns, strengthen our convictions, develop our solutions and present our visions. The new party Platform is no excuse for any kind of smugness, but it is a mobilisation for a renewed engagement with intensive political debate and action, because democracy in general and European politics in particular demands reflection, innovation and a broad and deep dialogue. The Bucharest Programme could become a much-needed accelerator in this process.
Footnotes