By Jeremy Swan
Twitter: @Jez_Swan
Quote
“I really do inhabit a system in which words are capable of shaking the entire structure of government, where words can prove mightier than ten military divisions.” Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic.
News
At midnight on 1st October the US government went into partial shutdown as the political stalemate over the federal budget rumbled on. Around 800,000 government employees were furloughed, National Parks were closed and the Department of Health’s annual flu programme was halted. There are fears that the US could default on its debts if an agreement cannot be reached before 17th October. At the heart of this crisis is a failure of relationships.
The main sticking point has been ‘Obamacare’ – for Democrats it is about providing affordable healthcare for the 15% of the population who cannot afford health insurance; for the Republicans it is an unwelcome intrusion into people’s lives which can only be financed through increased borrowing – and both sides are sticking to their guns. They are playing party politics at a time when they should be trying to build consensus.
The US political establishment, like other bicameral systems, was built on the assumption that relational solutions would be found whenever such standoffs are reached. It was expected that leaders would work together for the common good, accepting the need for compromise and responsible leadership.
This time, however, the implicit understanding between the parties has broken down as the centre ground in American politics disappears. One major implication is the effect on relationships between the US and other nations: the US has been forced to postpone trade talks with the EU; President Obama has cancelled his trip to Asia; sanctions against Iran become harder to enforce; and China watches on as the 17th October deadline looms.
There is also the potential impact on relationships at a household level as the families of federal workers may come under financial strain, despite the promise of retroactive pay once the crisis has been resolved.
Read on…
In the wake of the US government shutdown a number of businesses have started offering freebies for the furloughed – a great relational (and PR) response. Special offers include free burgers, free theatre shows and free knitting lessons!
Walk the talk
Where you have a sharp difference in view from someone else can you consider the ‘knock on’ effect on other people and think about a consensual way forward?
The last word
From the Bible, Mark chapter 3 verses 24-5: ‘If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.’
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