A discussion about the Maltese identity is not meanginless, as some would like to pretend. It highlights how we should consider ourselves as a community, and what makes us similar to or different from others. To measure this, language, recent and not so recent history, popular customs and the natural environment would be among the features that need to be taken into account. The process by which identity is described should then lead to a better awareness as to where the national interest lies and what can best be done to safeguard it.

Nothing in this approach should be taken to mean that a national identity is cast in stone. Its characteristics can change with time as for instance, according to the relations established with foreigners. The Maltese experience post-Independence or since the island has been an EU member state gives evidence of this.

Neither is it the case that the acceptance of a national identity should imply any distancing from the commitment of a nation to take an active part in the life of the international community. To the contrary: without such an acceptance, a people can hardly participate freely and fully in international activity. Well understood, a sense of the national identity does not create isolation. Indeed it is essential for any really worthwhile contribution to the development of constructive efforts among nations.

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COLONIALISM

The heritage of colonialism remains alive among us to stimulate polemics. Not just in this country – wherever it happened. Naturally what makes most waves are the extreme views – both of those who condemn colonialism from the ground up and of those who praise the benefits that it could have delivered.

The beliefs that swing between these two extremes impress little by way of getting things right, even though they are likely to be closer to the “truth”. Like in replies to the question: in different historical periods, what were the real choices facing the leaders and the populations involved and how did they understand them (from the viewpoint of their times, not ours today)?

The fact that the colonial heritage is still alive is important for it signfiies that the effects of colonialism for good and for bad are still being felt in the decisions being taken now about the future.

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DRUGS

I must admit that what I find least convincing among the “liberal” reforms which have been introduced in recent years are those that deal with the relaxation of drug laws. In the past I was one of those who insisted on the need for zero tolerance towards drugs. I believed they were extremely harmful to society and served to finance  criminal activity.

Over the years, one could see that drug usage was growing relentlessly, so that for an ever growing percentage of the population, it had become an ordinary habit covering a variety of drugs.

I understand what lies behind the idea – at least in the case of cannabis – to legalise its private use according to strict controls (that is the claim) over its distribution. In this way at least, as in the case of alcohol and tobacco, it would be possible to keep its use under surveillance and control. On the other hand (and this is what troubles me) its usage will come to be seen as an increasingly normal habit by children in households where cannabis is consumed on a regular basis.