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“Society is a partnership of the dead, the living and the unborn”
Macedonia is a country in which the society is deeply divided along many lines. It is a common perception shared by virtually every citizen, every observer of the events in the country, every representative of the international community and every external spectator. The country does not show signs of progressive democratic recovery, even 30 years after its independence. On the contrary, one can witness omnipresent tendencies of degradation of the societal tissue, coupled with a prevalent sentiment of constant emergence of new dividing lines between the citizens.
The ideological paradigms are completely blurred, and very often nonexistent. The ethnic paradigm is certainly present because of the demographic and cultural reality, but even these divisions seem latent, although always containing inflammatory potential, under the weight of the other “heavy” variables (socio-economic status, political and partisan cleavages, prevalent corruption and nepotism, cultural differences, distinct citizens’ mentality etc.).
Macedonia is nominally a democratic state, but the permanent decomposition of the institutions, the impairment of the already feeble and ill-suited constitutional checks & balances, and the clientelistic habitus additionally, and at times dramatically, undermine the democratic substance of the country and the society as a whole.
The above mentioned are the basic arguments supporting our belief that there is a need of building bridges in the society. Bridges do connect people, but bridges are also a stark reminder that what has been connected (the two shores) in reality is disconnected, primarily disconnected and then re-connected. The dilemmas that every reasonable citizen rightly puts forward are simple: is it possible to connect something that is and has been so profoundly disconnected, or even is it preferable/desirable to do so?
We have no such dilemma: We believe that social, political and cultural bridges in Macedonia are indispensable, now more than ever before, since the country faces a serious negative potential to strip its citizens from a viable perspective and better future.
I. The first pillar represents focusing on solutions that are SUSTAINABLE (SUSTAINABILITY). It is our fundamental, long term perspective on social development. That is the only viable honest approach that does not put at risk future generations and their right to a decent life. At the same time, this approach pays respect to the past generations of people who built the country and set grounds for sustainability. But also, in our view, the perspective of “the NOW”, the moment we are living, is the best point in time which allows us to think and act in a sustainable way.
II. The second pillar follows the REASONABLE and COMMON SENSE approach in designing the (proposed) policies. Reasonable policies suggest coherence in preserving the priorities for prosperity of the citizens in the country, while neglecting, weakening or changing the current patterns of quasi-permanent overwhelming political and societal divisions.
III. The third pillar presupposes creating of a COMMON GROUND around the proposed policies, an aspect that incessantly foments coalition building on various scales, thus providing preconditions for common ground approaches in devising policies.
Expressed summarily, in one sentence, we believe in and advocate for solutions and policies that are based on the reason (common sense), whose realization provides sustainability of the societal development in different spheres of societal living.
Political/party positions are important, but at the end of the day they remain ephemeral. We are searching for the underlying/fundamental principles on the basis of which these political positions could and should rest. So, we are looking for the way of HOW should the political and societal phenomena be thought of, a position which is much more important and durable than the transitory expression of a day-to-day (political) position.
Shall we keep certain ideological stance? The ideology is the most harmful foe of the thought i.e. the reason. We will strive to build our credibility in a non-dogmatic way, through holding and preserving positions which are right, without giving weight or importance to the subsequently attached ideological labels. Thus, the conceptual framework of the Forum for Reasonable Policies is based on a reasonable/common sense position and contains potential for building common ground.
However, common ground and common sense approach by no means presupposes holding a political/societal position that is acceptable to all sides and all (political) parties. Such middle-of-the-road policies are politically, intellectually and morally repugnant and blur the reasonable thinking by searching for populist rather than sane solutions and solid common ground.
Therefore, the Forum for Reasonable Policies will propose and reflect on solutions and policies that WE believe are right (even though they can sometimes be perceived as controversial), and we consider them right because they are based on the principles we deem right (even when those principles go against what is called “popular opinion”).
We will utter TRUTHS which many people are probably aware of, but obviously very few are ready to articulate them in the public sphere, being, at the same time, able to resist the day-to-day political distortions of those truths.
We will keep a resolutely non-partisan stance, but we will support and endorse every reasonable position coming from either side of the political spectrum.
Along the path of promotion and realization of our proposed policies, we believe that enhancing the participatory political culture is a fundamental prerequisite, firstly in the domain of the public discourse and then along all pores of the societal tissue.
A society that is democratic, but not plebiscitary. A society in which the will of the majority should be respected and taken into account in devising the policies, but this majority should not be detrimental to the rest of the members of the society.
A state that fosters good, positive and constructive relations with its neighbors, but also a country that is capable of obtaining and maintaining its proper position and role in the region and worldwide. A country that enjoys economic prosperity, which is sustainable and enables better chances and better life for every stratum of the society. A region, which is not burdened with nationalism. Nations that are able and willing to build bridges between themselves in all social spheres.
Creating a basis for sustainable development in the domains of democratic practices, culture, inter-ethnic relations and the societal life in general.
Promotion of a society that has its roots in the reason, as the most durable foundation for building a common ground. We will be creating a platform for affirmation of real, tangible, common sense policies and principles, regardless of whether they are popular and “trendy” at the moment of their uttering. We will confront compromises and false consensuses which offer palliative solutions, but in their essence deepen the rift in the society and jeopardize the long-term prosperity.
Supporting personalities, groups and policies that reflect and fit in our principles.
Continuously and permanently working on the elevation of the level of participative political culture in the society, as a fundamental virtue that creates conditions for searching for right policies and building common ground around them.
We will look for inclusiveness where it is necessary, but not at any cost and certainly not at the cost of undermining the diversities in the society.
Challenging and critically questioning the positions and attitudes of every political and economic establishment, especially those which are overtly undemocratic or problematically democratic, the nationalistic, populist, radical left or radical right, reactionary, clerical, economic fundamentalists etc.
Striving for fundamental change (and not only for “reforms for reforms sake”), in the spheres where they are necessary and of high priority. In our view, not all “reforms” enable positive change, unless they are thoroughly assessed and deeply contemplated.
Promoting a regional approach in the areas which can bring cumulative progress for all countries in the region. Knowing and recognizing of regional topics will be one of the priorities of our work.
Naum Naumovski – Borche, 50 / 3 – 12
1000 Skopje, Macedonia
frp@frp.mk
+389(0)70388928
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