Benoit Scheuer

Fondation Ceci n'est pas une crise

The word ‘crisis' appears to be ubiquitous in the public sphere. The overuse of this simplified word, and the dominating focus on the economy, contributes to the deception that we are merely facing a temporary dysfunctional phase. It implies that after the "crisis" is solved, we will return to an illusive idea of a previous equilibrium.\But we are not just facing another crisis. \Instead, we are in the process of profound societal transformations and we need to understand that these changes are permanent and comparably significant to our transition from an agricultural to an industrial society. They have resulted in a feeling of disorientation and anxiety. \Populist movements have identified this vulnerability in our society and exploited it by filling the space with simplistic antagonistic rhetoric. These movements have created an illusionary sense of identity, based in scapegoating, i.e. the construction of an external enemy, ‘the other'. This identity-driven populism has deepened a trend towards a wide range of xenophobic micro-nationalist parties, which risks destabilising society even further.\We are facing a transition into a new model of society rather than a temporary dysfunctional phase.\\Hence, ceci n'est pas une crise, this is not a crisis.\\We stress the urgent need for a critical debate about the various aspects of the societal changes in order to counter the dangerous scapegoating of ‘the other' instigated by populist movements all over the world. So far we did not succeed in finding and implementing efficient counter-measures against identity populists.\Therefore it is our aim to go beyond debate and actively pursue strategic solutions by consolidating the expertise of all relevant actors in the field. We want to face the challenge and fill the long-overdue gap by delivering successful, practical and feasible solutions to the all-encompassing problem. We aim to mobilise and influence decision-makers in all relevant fields to push them to act.