The delicate flower of democracy was first cultivated more than 2,500 years ago in Athens, Greece. In most countries, it did not take hold, in some it did, but only temporarily. Eighty years ago, a historical blink of the eye, European continental democracy imploded. In Italy, Mussolini’s Fascists prevailed; in Germany, Hitler’s Nazis were on the threshold of power; soon, Franco’s Fascists were to plunge Spain into civil war and usurp power.
Genuine democracy in Europe only expanded broadly after the collapse of the Soviet Union 1990. As it promised ever-rising prosperity, it could hardly save itself from admirers and participants. In the transatlantic economic crisis, now, Europe is being subjected to a real test of endurance – to see if its citizens are, in a time of unemployment and decreasing prosperity, ready to place freedom above dull populism, chauvinism and xenophobia.
The recent elections in France and Greece show that the majority of Europeans are smarter, more humane and more democratic than many ‘experts’ and many pessimists had feared. In France the National Front has won only two seats in the National Assembly. In Greece a second round of elections brought about a new government ready to take on responsibility. Democracy is not carved in stone, but even Moses angrily smashed the fi rst tablets of God. After he destroyed the golden calf, he wrote them again. The Israelites reached the promised land only after decades. Even the Europeans are in for a long march to democratic stability. With optimism and fresh ink we will defend freedom.