The saga of Greece and the European Union (EU) has attracted lots of analysis and opinion. Continuing to look at the situation from the conflict management perspective, now it’s time to move past conflict prevention and conflict reduction to conflict resolution.
When the financial woes of Greece took center stage, the economically stronger members of the EU were faced with a crisis. Leaving aside whether the problems could or should have been tackled sooner, the crisis need to be resolved — with as little pain as possible. Yet, as so often happens, those who could bite the bullet and find a resolution dragged their feet instead. And in the process, Greece’s financial woes deepened, its ability to borrow money deteriorated further, and its debt increased steeply. The assistance required from the EU grew. By delaying the resolution of the crisis, the EU made its own situation worse, and gave up an imperfect solution for one even less desirable.
Last time, I wrote from the conflict prevention perspective about the tough situation facing Greece and the European Union (EU). Assume for a moment that Greece’s admission to the EU was premature or simply not a good idea at the time, and that the decision was made nonetheless. Still, there were opportunities — missed — to take action to reduce the conflict presented by Greece’s relative economic weakness.
Some commentators have stated that it was an open secret that the economic data produced by Greece to document its financial health was simply too good to be true. And yet, instead of grappling with the problem years ago, this risky business was allowed to continue. Instead of taking action to reduce the impact of this conflict, the conflict was allowed to fester and grow into a full-blown crisis.
Much has been said and written about the difficult situation that Greece and the European Union (EU) face. I see it from the perspective of conflict prevention, conflict reduction, and conflict resolution.
Regarding conflict prevention, there is talk that Greece was admitted to the EU before it was politically, and perhaps politically, ready. But that was not what the powers that be wanted to believe at the time. So, they somehow allowed themselves to think that things would work out, when that was a long shot.
It’s a common problem: the seeds of conflict sown by the refusal to take a clear-eyed look at reality and to grapple with a potential problem before it becomes a real one.
The occasion of Mother’s Day can present a great opportunity for conflict management. How? With the gift of conversation about the things that matter most. As a mother or as an adult child, you can use the occasion of Mother’s Day to start talking about those difficult, but essential, topics related to aging.
Adult children: ask your mother to tell you what she wants — while she still can.
Mothers: tell your children what your hopes and fears are for your later years — don’t make them guess.
If you start having these conversations early enough, you may be able to prevent some conflicts altogether. Start a little later, as things are just beginning to get dicey, and you may be reducing conflict. Even if the conflict over Mom’s well-being is raging (Mom to child, child to child, or some combination) taking steps to resolve the conflict can be a gift more lasting and more meaningful than even the loveliest brunch and bouquet.