State of redistribution
The need, and the popular demand, for political change are a direct result of the many problems created by PASOK’s long term in government. Even PASOK itself concedes that there is a need for political change, irrespective of whether it acknowledges the reasons behind it. But what should this political change comprise? Each party defines it differently, in accordance with its history, general outlook and agenda – as one would expect. But if one is to judge from party leader’s public statements – such as those made on last week’s much-hyped televised «debate» – we can observe common trends, of varying intensity, across all parties. The common aim is that the State solve its people’s major problems, with the main emphasis falling on social security, income levels, unemployment, farmers’ handouts, basic social benefits (for education, health, welfare) and other similar matters, partly related to the redistribution of national income by the State. Over the course of the pre-electoral period, there has been little focus on the major problems affecting income generation in this country, such as comparative labor costs, the competitiveness of the economy, the size and direction of investment, and attracting foreign investment… Indeed, the focus over the last couple of months has been on the distribution of national income rather than its generation – on the State’s role as redistributor rather than regulator…
