Pragmatism is highly regarded in Switzerland. To say that a politician is pragmatic is generally a compliment: it's a good thing he or she is concerned with efficiency and results, rather than ideology! In fact, this attitude of making things work seems to work in itself. The country has its debt (more or less) under control, its streets are (generally) clean, and the (average) standard of living is high. In short, on the whole, everything is well managed, and the whole world recognizes this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
But while pragmatism has its good points, it also has its risks. And these are devious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doesn't the lack of importance attached to the art of oratory in order to be elected at any level in Switzerland partly explain the lack of interest shown by a significant proportion of the population in public affairs? Of course, the low voter turnout is no doubt partly due to their frequency, and thus to the perpetuation of the system itself, which we must not abandon. Of course, the weakening of intermediary bodies - including political parties, but also professional associations, think tanks, etc. - contributes to the estrangement of civil life from civic life. Nonetheless, could it be that the lack of grandeur, nobility and transcendence in our institutions has something to do with the yawns they often provoke?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another negative effect of pragmatism is the tendency to contradict oneself. As a party representative, it's easy to betray one's philosophical framework when one hardly knows it! But then again, there has to be one. In the absence of a worldview, there's no risk of being unfaithful. Politics seems to be the equivalent of free love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n