Editor's note
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Wednesday, 24.04.2024, 12:43
Facing Latvian Saeima elections
Photo by BC. |
It is a trivial notion that science and education are two main blocks on
which any country’s progress is based. However, there are more fundamental
prerequisites for a stable growth in a welfare society: a) the sense of trust,
i.e. “public respect”, and b) long-term strategy. Actually, these two elements
go hand-in-hand: one cannot exist without the other.
As to the first, trust
and respect are going to be overwhelming: respect to each other, trust to government
and public authorities, as well as in numerous existing public institutions.
Besides, there should be trust in entrepreneurship, research and expert
opinion. This is this “sense of trust” that makes any society stable and its business
successful.
The second is vital
as well: the long-term vision of development is a paramount factor in
supporting education, research, fundamental and applied science, art and
culture.
These two factors provide a solid background to a welfare state; while
dwelling on some issues in the first “element”, however, we shall start with
discussing the second one – the role of science, research and education.
Welfare
society
Latvian main socio-economic aim in development – according to the country’s constitution – is towards creating a welfare society. Welfare concept means that all people living in the country are having a fair share of created wealth, i.e. goods and services produced in the country.
Therefore major economic growth strategy shall be
oriented towards “maximizing output” of public governance in increasing
national wealth.
In general that means compiling such national political economy’s
structures that correspond to highly competitive goods and services in Europe
and the world (e.g. in line with the so-called global value chains, GVCs).
Being competitive a country has to create a solid production network based on
the latest achievements in science and technology; the latter can be made with
the help of progressive education process.
Thus, the welfare concept and long-term national development are
intervened with science, technology, innovations and education.
National
narrative
National growth strategy, in the form of a Latvian narrative*), shall combine all perspective growth spheres
into a single development strategy. Narrative formation needs comprehensive
analysis of strategy’s “internal forces”, which consist mainly of political,
economic and legislative “blocks”; generally, corresponding to the power
balance among legislative, executive and judicial branches.
In the narrative, both “external” factors (global and European
challenges) and “internal” factors (political will, governance and trust) play
a decisive role in forming Latvian approaches to political economy. Besides,
national political and economic potentials shall be used actively: for example,
through “green” and circular economy, active use of ICT, supporting progressive
SMEs, etc. In this regard, challenges in labour market shall be considered as
well: the “next generation of internet” and other achievements can make
national economy “immune-resistant” to any unexpected risks.
Latvian narrative can serve as a background to design a policy connecting
Latvian development with the European values and concepts of integration,
mobilizing “Latvian spirit” towards welfare society. In order for the Latvian
narrative to materialize, there shall be established a “social contract” among
Latvian citizens coped with a strong social belief in contributing to Latvian
“political agenda” in line with the well-functioning Latvian political economy.
Therefore, the Latvian narrative shall include such “parameters” as the
national long-term development directions, the EU political/economic guidance
and challenges from the globalization and the 4th industrial
revolution. The European Union’s idea of smart specialisation (so-called 3S
platform) for the member states makes it easier for the Latvian political
economy to proceed along the already scientifically designed paths in
progressive development. The role of politicians is to deliver these ideas to
the general public and see that the Latvian community is correctly implementing
them.
On the
waves of the 4th industrial revolution
Evidences of present changes abound: mobile supercomputers, artificially-intelligent
robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological brain enhancements and genetic transformations,
to name a few. Historic transformation periods in the previous “revolutions”
have been profound too; but the ramifications of the latest technological
revolution are more important than in any other period in human history.
The “new revolution’s” general impact and consequences can be seen in three
main components as megatrends: physical, digital,
and biological. All three are
closely interrelated, though each is having its own importance on peoples’
lives.
Among physical “manifestations”,
there are such aspects as autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, as well as advanced
robotics and mew materials, e.g. graphene.
The digital component, often
called “internet of all things” (IoT), revolutionizes present relationships
between “things” around people and among them (products, services, places,
etc.), such as Uber, Airbnb and Alibaba.
Innovations in biological realm
as well as in genetics in particular, are going to be the breath-taking components
as well, including those concerning public health.
Numerous and dramatic changes occur in modern world which are in exponential
speed fundamentally transform people’s life through mobile supercomputers,
artificially-intelligent robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological and
genetic achievements. These changes, in line with the 4th industrial
revolution, will have serious implications for national policies and economic
governance in Latvia in the years to come.
These ideas have been presented at the last World Economic Forum already in
January 2016; about Forum’s revolutionary insight into the global future see
in: E. Eteris. Davos proclaims the “fourth industrial revolution” in: http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/editors_note/?doc=16003.
Expected
reforms
All those “revolutionary changes” described above will penetrate Latvian
political economy through numerous reforms, of which most important are those
providing “symbiosis” among science, creativity, innovation and
entrepreneurship.
The basics for delivering on such “symbiosis” are grounded in
universities and other high-schools: they have to be the institutions that
serve the publics’ welfare policy and help to increase perspective growth.
The reforms are going to be overwhelming: starting from changes in the
public governance, in regulating businesses and in transforming educational
systems (e.g. small faculty’s method widely used in foreign countries).
Modern digital development is a challenge to society and governments in
order to decide what and how to use the emerging facilities: however, it’s
going to be under regulated social and government’s control. Numerous examples
in several countries have shown that new technologies often represent serious
societal problems, including cultural and ethics’ issues. Recent huge
technology conference in Denmark (so called “techfestival”)
has shown that digital “giants” like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and
Twitter represent a threat to peoples’ personal data. The EU has taken the lead
in adopting a data protection directive.
Some states are more active in this field: e.g. Danish “digital diplomacy” - with the technology ambassador in the US Silicon Valley - is a step towards effective “dialogue” among the “giants” and global community. There is already an initiative to create a position of the UN High Commissioner for human rights in the Silicon Valley. It is right that societies have to take seriously their “digital future”: in France, for example, there is now a post of technology minister responsible for introducing technical aspects in science and ethics…
In the Baltics, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are the first EU states to
adopt modern “digital” transportation legislation, which regulates
“ride-sharing”. The Baltic States serve as the role model in this regard: Finland,
Croatia and Portugal also updated their legal framework in “shared transport”. Such
new legislation –in part- is about a very important problem: establishing trust
in the human digital relations. In Estonia, e.g. “mobile identity” already
provides many opportunities. Generally, services are moving online, which makes
them faster and more affordable. Though, the common barrier hindering online
business is the lack of trust between counterparties.
Latvia as a “small great nation”
Making a country “great” means several things: economically, politically,
cultural, etc. Alongside such aspects as welfare, happiness and general growth,
there are science achievements’ factors that make all goods/services exports
profitable and known in the world.
Creativity can be taught in universities as well: besides “reproduction
of knowledge”, universities have to be creative and inquisitive in challenging
the outdated patterns and being critical to dogmas while ready for new waves of
global digitalisation. “Philosophical” approach in universities shall be
combined with “technological” one in order to increase the value and urgency on
the given knowledge.
Scientific background and creativity are “two elephants” on which a great
nation is built; in this regard, the educational system shall be treated as a national
long-term investment, rather than as a chapter in the next financial
legislation.
Though 2 percent of GDP for science and research required by the EU-2020
strategy is a sine qua non of the
Latvian budgetary process! Research and education are just as art and culture: these
things are not “given from above”, people have to create them.
Conclusion
Latvian politicians, both in the government and in the national parliament
have to stand by the Latvian citizens’ interests; they have “to echo” the
people’s voice. Only Latvian people can truly describe the country’s future,
that’s why the country’s leaders have to hear people’s intentions and desires.
The task of “forming a proper vision” of Latvian future shall be taken
seriously in the coming elections; it would finally direct Latvian economy
towards progressive growth and peoples’ wellbeing. May be a national vision
about “Latvia in 2030 or 2050” is needed as a truly national program? For this
to happen, the opinion of politicians, business people, scientists and
intellectuals shall be viewed through a national dialogue on a “good nation” vision
with a progressive development model in mind.
In this regard, for example political
aspects in the elections’ disputes shall include the following issues:
first, formation of strategic developmental aim and growth patterns; second,
formulating “tactical steps”, i.e. political priorities for each growth period;
third, properly informing the public about the government’s measures: that
would help in getting general public’s support for a renewed national agenda.
*) More on narrative see in: Eteris E. Latvia in Europe and the world:
growth strategy for a new centennial. – Zinatne Publish., Riga, Latvia. 2018. –
208 pp. Contact: SIA Apgads “Zinatne”; [email protected].