If the economy stutters, the call for change is usually not far off. But for something to actually happen, a crisis must take on almost dramatic forms. Even in Grisons, too, too few new things are being created despite the crisis; the willingness to make changes is low. Are we still doing too well?
The Graubünden economy is stuttering tremendously, as can be seen in black and white in the latest statistics on tourism and the national economy. Although we are seemingly a long way from mass unemployment and street protests in other European countries, dissatisfaction and uncertainty are the dominant features of the current mood in the canton. Nevertheless, it is disputed how well or how poorly we are really doing economically today. Unlike us, the crisis in our neighboring countries is not a question of interpretation; it is a harsh reality.
It suddenly forces changes that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Subsidies are reduced and the retirement age raised, state services privatized and entire administrative apparatuses disbanded. The people are suffering, but the states are moving.
Is everything okay? Unfortunately no.
The situation in Switzerland is more contemplative: government debt, unemployment and inflation are under control and the exchange rate problem with the euro has been alleviated. Compared to that of other countries, our economy is doing well to good. The political sector is therefore also addressing the usual topics and the structural reforms of the state are proceeding at a slow pace. So is everything okay after all? Unfortunately no. There are big differences within Switzerland, to the detriment of our canton. In many areas, Graubünden is at the bottom of the country.
Although the Rhine Valley is able to keep pace with the urban cantons, the mountain regions are suffering more and more. And especially when it comes to tourism, where our strength should lie, Grisons is one of the biggest losers. Opinions differ on the extent of the crisis in Grisons and there are no patent remedies for all sectors and parts of the canton anyway. But there is a general attitude towards change. And this is a huge problem in Grisons: We have become comfortable and abhor changes of all kinds. New ideas have a hard time, innovations cannot take place in this way.
Accept setbacks
Graubünden was once a canton of pioneers with crazy ideas and with a people who were open to change. No wonder: The mountain regions were poor in mice, they clung to the hopes that arose with new projects. With the support of the population, new things were able to flourish; Graubünden went from a poorhouse to a successful model. There are still many ideas today, but there is often a lack of courage to implement and the willingness to accept failure.
The canton, the general government and the people have lost what makes good entrepreneurs every day: the willingness to take entrepreneurial risks for which there are no guarantees of success. “Hunger sharpens the mind,” the ancient Romans said, and they were right: Only those who remain hungry will make a special effort, will allow new ideas and achieve extraordinary things. Only those who are willing to take risks can achieve long-term success. In addition to companies and private individuals, the canton is also challenged: One billion in liquid funds would be available for future projects.
The world around us is changing rapidly, standing still is not a valid option.
Just wait out the crisis?
The EU countries that have fallen into the debt crisis must now move forcibly. The EU and international bodies dictate the conditions for them; partners become foreign bailiffs in the eyes of the affected population.
You don't have to make the situation worse than it is. But the economic indicators speak for themselves: It is time for us to open ourselves up to change, rather than simply waiting for “someone” to fix our problems. Because the “someone” will definitely set his conditions.
Of course, you can simply wait out the current tourism crisis. But it will catch up with us all the worse in a few years. If we, as a peripheral region, want to feed ourselves in the future and not degenerate into externally determined supplicants and subsidy beggars, we must take action now, promote innovations in a self-determined manner and say “yes” to changes.
Alessandro della Vedova (43) is Podestà of the municipality of Poschiavo, CVP Grand Councillor and Vice President of CVP Grisons.
This guest commentary was published in the Bündner Tagblatt on August 16, 2013.