The sword of Damocles
The Hellenic culture of Greek history has given us democracy and most Western ideas about society, but don't they owe us some kind of debt as the Euro-zone starts to implode with Brexit, Frexit and Polexit?
The complete mis-management of the Euro-zone has made us all question the mis-management of our own economies. This appears to coalesce around the fact that there is a false logic going on here - ever more cash held by society and the overall public debt spiralling out of control.
The question of whether modern day Greece should be given loans to combat its own public debt has made many look back to great Greek philosophers and ask: Would they approve, or would they be vicious in their attacks?
The burden of history
It appears for many modern Greeks that their history is indeed a burden around their necks that they permanently carry around with them. As the famous Greek George Seferis once said "Wherever I go, Greece hurts me."
Solon the great Athenian statesman made a national sport of playing the game of fiscal fraud. Even modern day Greek politicians love to cajole with Germany over their public debts to the Eurozone.
Pericles also claimed the creative use of public funds from Athens allies to rebuild the Acropolis. He warned against a rapacious war, until he changed his mind. He thought the army with the biggest coffers and weapons would prevail. Look at how the modern day Iraq turned out.
I feel that the notion that Greeks invented democracy is a double edged sword for them. Modern pundits curse them, yet historians cheerfully laud them. The excessive Greek pride still lives on ... it's more than alive and kicking!
