The absence of genuine social and intellectual compasses feels painful at times, in the presence of mass unemployment, xenophobia and alienation. Elected politicians are becoming harassed administrators of consequences and processes rather than visionary leaders of projects and social development. In Central and East Europe, in te Baltic region and also in Russia, liberty, democracy and social change have given many people a better life. There are great differences between the various countries, but at the same time we know that things are not as they should be everywhere. Mass unemployment, maffia rule and social failure must not become the new order.
Many people have lessons learn from events in Russia.
A special responsibility devolves on those in other countries who have held out to Russian reformists in the prospect of short cuts to a workable market economy. The Social Democrats have instead demanded a policy which gives pride of place to a culture of democracy and a social market economy. This is perhaps the most important priority we can establish in our cooperation. In several of the countries which have left communist oppression behind them, a phase of national unity on a civic decency and national revival has given way to a widespread aversion to politics of any kind. Politics will now have to find new forms and a new, living language, if it is to become deeply rooted in democracy.