Bread and circuses

 

Activities or official plans that are intended to keep people happy and to stop them from noticing or complaining about problems – is the latest definition of bread and circuses. It is broadly known in many languages and something trivial in politics, unfortunately. What are the politicians and the politics for? There are rules for almost everything, everywhere. Therefore, there are rules that apply differently to some people, and it is not necessarily bad. We can assume that rules are supposed to be followed when convenient and bring out common good, if rules are to make sense.

Whatever name we give to it, plans are designed to achieve something, or to conduct someone towards its established objective. Who are the ones that make plans that affect everyone’s life? Why do they care so much about it, if they do so? Why do they keep fighting over it? When and if we can see it crystal clear we come to realise that there is no popular will being materialised at all, but a tiny and privileged group constraining the common good and controlling the narrative as they please. It is worthy reflecting upon it!

Despite bread and circuses had always worked, from top to bottom policy seems not to be working anymore, in many places. Selfish leadership is contributing to chaos. Lack of actual and genuine involvement of those in charge has proved to be harmful. Those who rule are not very interested in balancing public and personal interests, and do not worry too much about accountability. It is a common knowledge, regardless of the society we belong to.

Conflict between leading politicians stretched the democracies alike throughout new routes to power and influence. Leading figures are constantly trying to pave the way for the eventual one-man rule. It is up to us to accept it. It is up to societies to question it. It is up to people to play the game or to change the game. It is all about rule and rulers. Soft power and engagement in a constructive dialogue should be playing the main role amongst growing problems of political and social imbalance, if something is permanently to be solved.

Bread and circuses were largely used and accepted, until now, to serve the rise of a powerful aristocracy and to fit the resentment of the disadvantaged ones. Various leading figures rose to prominence playing the bread and circuses game. It takes time to align interests of those elected, those lobbied to redistribute surplus, and those seeking social change. It often takes individual and collective awareness to achieve worthwhile things. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

 

by Ale Madia