Greece's newly elected prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, advocates debt relief and the abandonment of austerity. But, given that Tsipras and his Syriza party have made common cause with Europe's most reactionary forces, both at home and abroad, it is a mystery why so many on the European left are rejoicing.
OXFORD – On January 25, Greece voted decisively for change, removing from power the two political parties – New Democracy and Pasok – that have ruled the country in one form or another since the restoration of democracy in 1974. It was past time that voters did so.
Over the last four decades, Greece's leaders created a system of clientelism that transformed the country into the most unequal and socially unjust society in the European Union. Pasok, Greece's traditional party of the left, is mired in scandal and seems to have reached the end of the line, receiving just 4.6% of the vote.
The trouble is that, in voting for change, Greek voters took a leap into the dark. The newly elected prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, advocates debt relief and the abandonment of austerity – goals that have broad popular support. And many on the European left are rejoicing at Tsipras's outspoken rejection of German-imposed austerity as the only policy for Europe's troubled economies. But, though Tsipras and his party may be new, the other ideas that they espouse are old – and far from ideal for Greece or Europe.
OXFORD – On January 25, Greece voted decisively for change, removing from power the two political parties – New Democracy and Pasok – that have ruled the country in one form or another since the restoration of democracy in 1974. It was past time that voters did so.
Over the last four decades, Greece's leaders created a system of clientelism that transformed the country into the most unequal and socially unjust society in the European Union. Pasok, Greece's traditional party of the left, is mired in scandal and seems to have reached the end of the line, receiving just 4.6% of the vote.
The trouble is that, in voting for change, Greek voters took a leap into the dark. The newly elected prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, advocates debt relief and the abandonment of austerity – goals that have broad popular support. And many on the European left are rejoicing at Tsipras's outspoken rejection of German-imposed austerity as the only policy for Europe's troubled economies. But, though Tsipras and his party may be new, the other ideas that they espouse are old – and far from ideal for Greece or Europe.