The need for a NAS
Gorka Moreno Márquez
2011ko otsailaren 02a
To say that when the Berlin Wall fell and/or was overthrown, several walls were also overthrown is not a new idea. I will not be the one to defend the qualities of this wall and/or the political systems of Eastern Europe. However, in addition to the fall of concrete walls, a radical change of ideas took place. Later today, ideas based on neoliberalism and brutal capitalism have not had serious and clear ideological rivals, who have achieved a certain hegemony of ideologies. First, taking advantage of the fact that it has no enemies, capitalism has somehow sold the imagination of the only possible model.
Some may say that we have had different attempts or proposals against capitalism in recent years, but I think it is not too much to take into account its evolution and effectiveness. The anti-globalization movement – or one that advocates another globalization, for example – has serious limitations. First of all, it has often been born as an anti-capitalist movement, but with the exceptions – the meetings in Porto Alegre are there – the difference in the proposals has been little elaborated, has been more limited and at least their impact has been quite sterile to the public opinion. To explain this, of course, we cannot forget that multiple groups – often of very different natures – have come together under this denomination. Similarly, the most well-known “successes” of this movement have been attempts to disrupt the summits of the institutions that govern capitalism, but by increasing security measures and turning cities into fortresses, the impact has been greatly reduced, as well as their media impact.
In this context, the idea that neoliberal capitalism has prevailed in the narrative to describe reality and is largely the only option has been internalized by all – most of us. In this regard, I believe that more than ever we need a Compelling Alternative Narrative (NAS). On the one hand, the alternative narrative must offer us a different model of life in order to confront the capitalist vision; and on the other hand, credibility. This last element is important if we really want to influence society and if we want important parts of the population to consider these ideas. Otherwise, the new narrative will come only to sectarian groups, and of course, the great narratives are necessarily for the whole society.
Some may say that we have had different attempts or proposals against capitalism in recent years, but I think it is not too much to take into account its evolution and effectiveness. The anti-globalization movement – or one that advocates another globalization, for example – has serious limitations. First of all, it has often been born as an anti-capitalist movement, but with the exceptions – the meetings in Porto Alegre are there – the difference in the proposals has been little elaborated, has been more limited and at least their impact has been quite sterile to the public opinion. To explain this, of course, we cannot forget that multiple groups – often of very different natures – have come together under this denomination. Similarly, the most well-known “successes” of this movement have been attempts to disrupt the summits of the institutions that govern capitalism, but by increasing security measures and turning cities into fortresses, the impact has been greatly reduced, as well as their media impact.
In this context, the idea that neoliberal capitalism has prevailed in the narrative to describe reality and is largely the only option has been internalized by all – most of us. In this regard, I believe that more than ever we need a Compelling Alternative Narrative (NAS). On the one hand, the alternative narrative must offer us a different model of life in order to confront the capitalist vision; and on the other hand, credibility. This last element is important if we really want to influence society and if we want important parts of the population to consider these ideas. Otherwise, the new narrative will come only to sectarian groups, and of course, the great narratives are necessarily for the whole society.