Stuck in reverse

One does not need to look very hard to find out what it is that makes Greece a "special case," thwarting efforts to pull the country out of the persisting crisis. While being mired in stagnation, public debate revolves around the role and legacy of Greek communist and resistance hero Nikos Beloyiannis. Instead of being stuck in the past, we should be channeling our time and energy into addressing the challenges of today.

Sure, the Greek left wants to safeguard its historic symbols and thus perpetuate its ideological hegemony. Ruling officials are probably thinking that their stay in power is damaging the purity, as it were, that was awarded to it by persecutions before 1974 and the lack of representation at institutional centers of power in the years that followed. For that reason, they are seeking comfort in symbols past.

All that however is of no concern to the...