The Swiss with their federal government and canton system are probably the best examples of how to maintain unity as a state of different nations with massive devolution of power down to the local level. South Africa, with its incredible constitution, to some extent follows that model with the devolution down to the level of municipalities. In my area of Friuli, Italy, once subjugated by Venice (Veneto), we speak a Romance language that is so different to Italian or other Italic dialects/languages that makes it a unique corner of Italy, linguistically and culturally. The Italian state has given our Regione Friuli-Veneza-Giulia substantial autonomy (we are however three distinct people grouped together - Friulans, Veneti and Giuliani). To be re-subjugated by Veneto and the harking of Veneto citizens for the re-incarnation of La Serenissima would immediately have my No vote for a Veneto. La Padana as Bossi would have it is also ridiculous - the Italian Tricolore is one of the best brands in the world at any level and it has been achieved through blood, sweat and tears. What absurdity is La Padana! It sounds like a frog (padda is frog in Afrikaans!). Just to honour the hundreds of thousands of Southern Italians who were conscripted and sent to their death to die (for nothing really) on the Italian Front in WW1 would make the breaking away of this part of Italy a sacrilege. So when Bossi infamously suggested to a citizen that she flush the Italian Tricolore down a toilet it is remarkable that he is still allowed to continue as an Italian politician! Furthermore, in our little village in Friuli, the WW1 cemetery has the remains of villagers who fought with italic heart on both sides of the conflict! To add more complexity to my narrative, my grandparents were conscripts on the Austrian side; the maternal line being Friulan, the paternal line a valley or two south of the Sud Tirol, another area with even far greater autonomy than Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. The idea of secession for most small nations is just a romantic delusional absurdity that will end up in a disaster of some form or another, hopefully only economic instead of one littered with the bombed out remains of cities, towns and villages. Rather, the South African idea of respecting all the cultures and languages contained within it, and the Swiss model to ensure that at the most local level possible, the citizens of these levels feel satisfied with the governance. The world is global now, and each of us need to find our identity within the many layers that make up our own individual and unique character. Having been born in South Africa, of Friulan immigrants, mine is that of a Friulan Italic English Speaking South African imbibed with the residue of the British Empire in having grown up on the KwaZuluNatal South Coast - but now a full blown Capetonian after residing in this beautiful city for more than three decades. Now what secessionist state should I absurdly hanker for!
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:12:53 +0000
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