Poverty makes the Moldovans passive and disinterested in political messages about their future as the everyday problems for them - what is offered here and now - are primordial, sociologist Vadim Pistrinciuc, executive director of the Institute for Strategic Initiatives, said in a public debate hosted by IPN.
“Social passivity, the marginalization of these groups are the biggest dangers in this regard. Two parallel worlds appear if these people do not benefit from particular social services and other assistance. They live with immediate desiderata, are indifferent to the future messages, are interested in what happens today and what is offered to them now,” stated Pistrinciuc.
According to him, the main problem is the fact that poverty fully affects the decision-making process, which is what the Republic of Moldova has done during 30 years. “In this period, we have had a number of similar circuits, when the political class tries to offset citizens’ income losses. The Government each year supplements the budget of the pension system that is subsidized by the state. The money that should be invested in development goes to pensions and different support so as to meet society’s needs caused by poverty. For example, the people reacted differently to these measures to subsidize the bills. Moldova incurs very large budget costs for pensioners, public sector employees, persons with disabilities. This way, the biggest challenge generated by poverty for the political class is when the politicians need to respond to poverty through state instruments,” stated the sociologist.
Vadim Pistrinciuc added that these payments should be made, but not to the detriment of state development. “Surely, these payments should be made and it should be noted that many wonder where the European money is as they don’t realize that we pay pensions from these European funds,” he stated.
As to the solutions that the authorities should consider, the expert said the methodical implementation of the announced reforms will balance things in the social and economic sectors. The economic and social dangers are connected to geopolitical aspects. “We must prove that we can transform the state during a medium term. And we will then see that this balance between social costs and economic gains will be ensured,” he concluded.
The public debate entitled “Poverty in Moldova: social, political and geopolitical dangers?” was the 282nd installment of IPN’s project “Developing Political Culture through Public Debates” that is supported by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.
