When proposals arise for reform or radical change in the way by which a society is being run, the choice usually falls between two options: either reforms are launched in a big way and some care is taken to buffer the shocks they will generate (what is sometimes called the “big bang” approach); or change is introduced step by step, according to a set plan but with the readiness to correct the overall approach on the basis of results obtained as the process moves forward.

In Malta we have experienced both ways of creating change. The most successful was the one by which Malta ceased completely to rely on the operations of a military base in order to keep its economy going. That happened during the seventies decade of the previous century over a transitional period of seven years. Young people today have no idea that once, the livelihood of our families depended massively on British “defence” spending.

Then, a number of times we went through a “big bang” experience.

It was successful (also during the seventies) in the changeover from the Malta pound made up of shillings and pence to the lira split into cents; and in the transit from the lira to the euro.  In both cases though, there was no real alternative to a rapid changeover.

But this was a total disaster when it came to a reform of public transport all over the island that passed the system over to control by a private company. 

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The Church

For those who are interested in how organizations adapt their behaviour according to the circumstances they face, what is happening right now in the Catholic Church can only be considered as utterly fascinating.

An organization which has tied its central value system to controls over the sexual behaviour of its followers is now trying to relax these same controls. It is doing so because their implementation has continued to deepen the divide between it and the faithful, causing a decline in its temporal and spiritual power. But in part, it is also doing this due to a genuine conviction that past practices no longer fit today’s lifestyles.

Such a change inevitably gives rise to huge uncertainties, among the faithful who remain anchored to the values in which they were raised; and among the agents of the Church itself... priests, religious activists... who have spent their lives giving voice to these values.

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Fillon

Francois Fillon won the primary organized in France by the right to select its candidate for the presidential election. He ran on a ticket which plugged the virtues of good governance.

Then evidence was published to show how for long years, he had made arrangements for his wife and two children to get close to a million euros as payment for ficitious jobs they supposedly held in his parliamentary office.

The turmoil triggered by these revelations is still ongoing. Today few give Fillon much hope of becoming French President; three weeks ago, he was considered most likely to win.

All over Europe, the linkages between money and politics are giving rise to controversial questions which fuel among people their ongoing dissatisfaction with politics and politicians. The way things are developing, this dissatisfaction will not die out soon.