Focolare Movement

Politics for the people

Jun 28, 2011

This text, quoted often during the recent conference:”Igino Giordani: from Montecitorio (Italian Parliament) to the world”, was written in 1945, and is still relevant today shedding light on current difficult situations.

“Politics is made for the people – not people for politics. It is a means, not an end. First there should be morals, the person, the collective and then the party, tabling of questions and the theory of governing. Politics – in the most dignified Christian sense – is a servant, and should never become the master: it shouldn’t be the abuser, nor dominate or be dogmatic. Here lies its purpose and dignity: to be of social service, charity in action: the first form of national charity. […] Newspapers spread disrespect for politics and the political parties. We know about this from what they say and from reading what the write about us. To many it seems that politics is a base activity, confusing, leaving us to cope: and they don’t understand that if politics drifts away from honest people, it will be invaded by dishonest people: politics draws to itself all of our life, both physical and moral. Politics with dishonest leaders is drawn to war, financial instability, to the ruin of public and private wealth, to depravity, disprespect for religion, family breakdown…. If politics is dirty, then, it should be cleaned up, not deserted. […] In wheeling and dealing, a consequence of the deals made on human dignity, we cannot be free unless each one of us regains an awareness of their own self worth – their own immense value – those in politics, should decide not to allow themselves either to  be pushed or lead, but to work with their own head, with their personality, defend their moral reasoning. Defending these, then, defending also their professional reasoning, reasoning on taxation: as excessive taxation results in no longer seeing people who need help but simply milking the system. Those who are to be in politics are there for the citizens, not as slaves. From such a position democracy is born. The awareness of ones own values can turn into pride, and therefore twist into antisocial attitudes of exploitation and domination: it can turn upside down. Amongst those values, above all, there is the call to be charitable, and the desire to fulfill is in service to one’s brother. Without this, every value is worthless, every victory turns into slavery: its a waste of time.” Igino Giordani From: The Moral Revolution, 1945 www.iginogiordani.info

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