Pandemics, leadership, and social ethics
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Pandemics, leadership, and social ethics Miguel Ángel Escotet1
© UNESCO IBE 2020
Abstract This Viewpoint argues that the absence of worldwide social ethics is at the root of our present social, political, and economic crises. More to the point, the current COVID19 pandemic is, in part, a consequence of insufficient scientific research, inappropriate education systems, and globally fragile health structures and human services. Keywords Pandemic · Leadership · Social ethics · Education · Crisis The COVID-19 pandemic we are facing is, in part, a consequence of insufficient scientific research, inappropriate education systems, and globally fragile health structures and human services. But we invest much more in maintaining political structures and political movements than in any of those areas. As education professionals, we know that we live in a world in turmoil: a world of collapsing ideas, instant gratification, unfulfilled promises, and crashed ideologies. We experience the forces of change invading our classrooms every day, even as the voices of discontent demand radical reform of all levels of public education, including higher education. At the same time, we must confront a new dark age in political and social leadership. Gloucester’s disturbing words in King Lear are fitting: “Tis the time’s plague when madmen lead the blind” (Shakespeare 2015). With some exceptions, many local, national, and global leaders display a surprising disregard for culture and an appalling absence of affective and emotional development. They lack the vision necessary to propel changes and the democratic soul to act in good faith. They demonstrate hopelessly deficient management skills, exude selfishness, lack compassion, and denigrate transparency. They seem to be motivated by power, not by service. Our societies need leaders and visionaries. In the
* Miguel Ángel Escotet [email protected] 1
Intercontinental Higher Education Institute of Business (IESIDE), Av. de Madrid, 60, 36204 Vigo, PO, Spain
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words of Yuval Noah Harari, “So far we don’t see anything like the strong global leadership we need” (Harari 2020). The world is threatened not only by a severe economic crisis but also by natural and man-made disasters—from oil spills to radioactive leaks, from underdeveloped sanitation to climate change. There is also an oppressive feeling that we are losing everything that was reliable, predictable, and able to guide us in solving our problems. Political, economic, and social corruption is increasing. Anger and dissatisfaction create discontent in every corner of the world, as those considered responsible for the crisis we face are condemned as selfish, greedy, unfair, arrogant, and cynical. More than ever, we see firsthand the deleterious consequences of the “I deserve everything” philosophy, practiced with absolute contempt for the people who will suffer its consequences. As ordinary citizens, we know this is not only a public health and economic crisis, regardless of what politic
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