Responsability Crisis in a Teenage Democracy

Spain is incapable of adopting the reforms needed for economic growth and there is fear of lasting stagnation. The roots of this paralysis go deep. We have always reacted late and wrongly in times of crisis. Fortunately, we have reason to be more optimistic now than in the past. We have the right people so all we need to get over the crisis is to remove the barriers to growth. The reforms needed are related to freedom and competition but the real common denominator is responsibility. Our democracy will only be mature when we have truly understood that rights involve duties and that freedom requires responsibility. This principle has to be applied in every sphere of society—companies, trade unions, educational institutions, public services and administrations, political parties and, above all, individuals.