Kindness in politics. The Kindness Aneffect indicator of good governance. How it contributes to our well-being TextKindness by Pina Anna-Grace in Depolitics. Rosa Avatars’An indicator photos by Maurizio of good Raffa governance. Text by Matteo Quadranti Photos by Paola Rezzonico 1 GentleBooklets GentleBooklets Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. #15. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. Text by Matteo Quadranti Photos by Paola Rezzonico 2 3 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. GentleBooklets It is a series of long-form articles written by different authors. The booklets, designed for a quick read, feature texts and images. We have kindly asked to the authors to comment on the term “kindness.” Authors and photographers have donated their work. The motivations behind the project are the same as those of Gentletude, the desire to spread awareness about the need for “kindness” in our society, a society too focused on personal success to remember the basics of everyday living and respect for the environment that hosts us. Our decision to present these ideas in a series of publi- cations is due to the awareness that, in order to stimu- late people to think about these issues, it is necessary to present some concrete examples. In this case, the ex- © 2014 Editions Gentletude Riva Caccia 1d POBox 5710 amples are provided in the texts written by the authors. CH-6901 Lugano [email protected] www.gentletude.com Managing Editor for this issue: Chiara Ferrero. Translation from the Italian by Valentina Gianoli ([email protected]) Distribution by www.steppa.net. The duplication and use of GentleBooklets is possible after written permission and by citing the source. If necessary, please print on recycled paper or FSC certified. 4 5 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. Introduction I have chosen to be involved in politics and I have made this decision during my stud- ies at the University of Geneva: this town is indeed very inspiring, even in international, political terms. My degree thesis, on Pub- lic Law, dealt with the governmental Finan- cial Plan and Agenda, used by the State as tools to act. My main wish was using my skills to the benefit of politics, unselfishly focusing on the needs of the population and of the oth- ers in general, as I have done in several social and cultural charitable activities. Of course, I also had some utopias and expectations. Even though I am now more disillusioned than I used to be while at uni- versity, these have remained almost un- changed and can be realized through some values and principles, such as social and distributive justice, focusing on people in need or having difficulties and the very same starting opportunities, regardless of their social condition, status or race. 6 7 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. 8 9 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. The political system in Switzerland The two chambers gather in the National Assembly for the elections of the Federal In Switzerland, but not only, the way pol- Council, that is the government, composed itics is dealt with has changed. It has of seven members. Therefore, the Swiss changed especially in the last 30 years, government is elected by the two Cham- due to laissez-faire, to the increasing bers and not by the population. Each Fed- power in the hands of mainly financial and eral Councilor has the same status and on economic lobbies, to the role played by an annual basis, a President is appointed, the media and the coming of populist “par- who mainly have representative functions. ties”. Conversely, each Canton has a unicamer- It has undoubtedly been a detrimental al parliament and a government (Council change, even though conflicts of parties of State). Their composition and election and strong fights on issues and ideas differ from one Canton to another. In the have always occurred in our history. To- Canton of Ticino, the population directly day, there is no respect for people, no elect the five State Councilors and the 90 time to reflect, no transparency and cor- members of the Gran Consiglio based on rectness to avoid conflicts due to personal the proportional system. interests. It is worth to highlight that the typically At a federal level, we have a bicameral Swiss direct democratic system and the Parliament including a National Council proximity of each politician with the pop- and a Council of States. The former is ulation allow for widespread contacts, composed of 200 members who are pro- therefore, local issues, but not only, are portionally elected by the population of quickly submitted to the parliament and each Canton. The latter is composed of to the government. Therefore, the feder- 46 members (two per Canton) elected by alist distribution of governmental tasks at the population of each Canton. These rep- a municipality, canton and federal level, resent the government of each Canton. which may however be optimized, is gen- 10 11 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. 12 13 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. erally more successful than centralizing In the parliament plenum, gathering ap- systems. Of course, due to these char- proximately 10 times a year for 3 or 4 con- acteristics, it takes long to adopt the rel- secutive days, individual parliamentarians evant solutions to issues, but this is the or groups may support or oppose the com- price to be paid to find the right political mission report. Eventually, speakers have compromises. the last word to persuade the majority to vote for their report. Also the Government The Role of Parliamentarians has the right to intervene and may support or oppose the commission report. Each In Switzerland, Parliamentarians conduct parliamentarian may at any time submit a militant activity, entering some commis- questions to the Government, on some sions that gather once or twice a month specific issues more details are required to analyze in depth some issues and bills of, to which the Government must reply. assigned by the parliament plenum. The aforementioned commissions receive Differences from the nearest Italy governmental messages, legislative initia- tives taken by the Members of Parliament The main difference undoubtedly lies in or by people, they discuss and examine alliances. In Italy, the center-right and them also relying upon some external ex- center-left wings exist, forming often tem- perts and/or lobbies and eventually as- porary and changing alliances, based on sess whether said initiatives comply with opportunistic or economic interests. In the Constitution and the higher federal Switzerland this does not exist yet, even law. though the proportional system has had In turn or upon demand, parliamentarians some flaws, especially since the creation volunteer as speakers for the report issued of new parties. Once only conservatism, by the relevant commission to be submit- liberalism and socialism existed, now also ted to the parliament plenary session. the Ticino League, the Democratic Union 14 15 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. 16 17 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. of the Center, the Green Party and the understandings or irrelevant issues. The Communist Party do. In the past parties ability consists in fostering reflection and managed to reach agreement on the agen- analysis without imposing one’s opinion. da, but today they do not. Whenever they It takes respect of the citizens and of their exist, majorities constantly change, there- ability to have their opinion. One of the fore political activity becomes increasingly principles I often pinpoint is free will. difficult. A proposal may take a long time The best choice should not be the best and not be implemented because it is now decision for oneself, but for the greater fashionable to change one’s opinion at the good. very last moment, depending on the mood Citizens are undoubtedly disgusted by ag- of the population and the election period. gressive and shouted politics neglecting Another difference undoubtedly lies in the their interests. Kind politicians present is- federalist system I have mentioned ear- sues in simple and reassuring terms, be- lier. cause they are persuaded of their argu- ments and do not need to raise their voice. Kindness as an indicator of In the last few years, the degree of insecu- good governance rity and fear has grown in the country. It is therefore necessary to bring back serenity I think kindness is a way of thinking, partly also through the way we communicate. innate and partly learn from one’s parents and teachers. Kindness means respecting Today politicians’ fancy attitude is in- things, animals and people of any status- creasingly used to support their election. es, races and origins. The fancy approach used by some poli- ticians has been implemented following In politics, kindness translates in ex- the arrival of some populist movements, pressing oneself and making oneself un- wanting to have the exclusive proximity derstood correctly, honestly, without mis- to people. Politicians must undoubtedly 18 19 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance. 20 21 Kindness in politics. Kindness in politics. An indicator of good governance. An indicator of good governance.