The Greek puzzle: A socio-political analysis of the current Greek crisis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explain and understand the perennial socio-political and economic crisis in Greece that is undermining the welfare of society. The study is explicitly critical of the mainstream explanations and sets forth a new interpretation of the origin and development of the Greek state which is totally opposed to the modernity narrative of the nature and role of the modern nation-state. Thus, we identify the fundamental problem of Greek society, which relates to the separation of society from politics and the total control of the latter by the executive branch. In this regard, the current events – i.e. the financial and political crisis in European countries and in Greece in particular – can be seen as the outcome of the ‘unbridgeable chasm’ between rulers and ruled and of the spurious claim by the political elites that they represent public interest.