Term 2-03
Editorial
What seems to be clear though even at this early stage is that hostilities will not solve the problem. Most analysts agree that the world will not be a more stable place. Indeed, the likelihood of soft targets being identified and used for terrorist action is high and will remain so for some time to come.
Last year during Adult Learners Week, Swedish Adult Educator, Johan Norbeck visited Australia. He spoke at many engagements and one was the Sydney Community College Awards Night. His speech focused on the different approaches taken by Sweden in its development of democracy, compared with the southern European countries. Norbeck follows in the footsteps of Nikoli Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783–1872), a Danish clergyman and writer, who is regarded as the ideological father of popular and adult education – his ideas inspired the creation of the Nordic Folk High Schools. Today the Adult education stream of the EEU Socrates program is named after him. (http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/socrates/adult/overview.html )
Norbeck’s own view was that because of the widespread adoption of the Folk High Schools in Sweden, the deep embedding of democratic principles into Swedish Society was possible. He believed that through discussion and argument, made possible by the creation of such schools, the Swedish population was empowered to act in their own interest and that unlike Spain, Italy and other European nations, there developed no reliance on “The Great Man” leadership style.
The Great Man style is a necessary characteristic when decisions are made that are in opposition to clear public sentiment. Despite the months of posturing and hammering of the message, the populations of the UK, Spain and Australia seem clearly reticent to embark on a military solution for Iraq. Rallies for peace have been strongly attended in major cities and country towns in Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Europe. Social action, although not as vigorous as the Vietnam days, is obvious. Yet, our Great Men stand steady and immovable.
As we choose our leaders, both in the party room, on the shop floor, in the job interview or at the ballot box, how much does the “Great Man” syndrome shape our actions and therefore our history? Do we inevitably get what we deserve by giving proxy to a leadership style that leaves gaping voids when leaders fall? Is a system that nurtures constant challengers who wait ruthlessly in the wings, the best system to serve our needs?
No doubt, as the historians write the pages in the days and months to come, and the biographers of the “Great Men” spin their stories, there will be winners and losers. Nationalism will of course reign supreme over Humanitarianism. Nationalism is the rider’s crop often used to whip the horse of war. What is worse is that we will see Nationalism trussed up as Humanitarianism and the media coverage of the hostilities as some kind of sporting event.
Garry John Traynor
Principal
garry.traynor@scc.nsw.edu.au
The views expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
