Question to Greeks: what is your view on the legacy and policies of the 1967-74 junta?

[catgeorge]

Lack of freedoms for allowing communists run a mock through Greece - it was such a pathetic populist time with populist dictat . It was the only means to put Greece back on a systematic footing and that means eliminating communist populists from completely taking over. A word of warning to the Tsipras etc of the world... that steel is stronger than soundbites to fool a nation and pathetic ideals to enslave a people through populism and soundbites..

[xripkan]

Actually, a negative attitude only towards lack of freedom. Because when you're going to ask someone about economy, societal matters etc, you'll get an overwhelmingly positive response. Especially for the economy and more specifically about industry and agriculture. I mean, you can't forget the benefits (επιδοτήσεις).

In my opinion freedom and economic prosperity for everyone are the basic requirements for a successful government. You understand what the lack of freedom means, right?
Furthermore from mid 60s until years later than the fall of Dictatorship Greece had a very big economic growth. It was not only that period.
One other issue is the corruption. We are talking about the corruption that existed the last decades -and it is true of course- but the corruption during the dictatorship was definitely the same if not bigger.

[Zeno]

In my opinion freedom and economic prosperity for everyone are the basic requirements for a successful government. You understand what the lack of freedom means, right?
Furthermore from mid 60s until years later than the fall of Dictatorship Greece had a very big economic growth. It was not only that period.
One other issue is the corruption. We are talking about the corruption that existed the last decades -and it is true of course- but the corruption during the dictatorship was definitely the same if not bigger.

Corruption prior and during the dictatorship wasn't nearly as big as it's now. Or worse, before the crisis. An indicator is our state sector. In the late 70s, some tens of thousands in total worked for the Greek state. That was skyrocketed to 700,000 in its apex in 2007.

As for the economic growth, you're absolutely right. From 1949 to 1981, Greece enjoyed unprecedented economic growth. It was averaged to 9,3% for these 32 years. But the years 1960 to 1974 were the best. Up to 15% per annum.

[catgeorge]

[xripkan]

Corruption prior and during the dictatorship wasn't nearly as big as it's now. Or worse, before the crisis. An indicator is our state sector. In the late 70s, some tens of thousands in total worked for the Greek state. That was skyrocketed to 700,000 in its apex in 2007.

As for the economic growth, you're absolutely right. From 1949 to 1981, Greece enjoyed unprecedented economic growth. It was averaged to 9,3% for these 32 years. But the years 1960 to 1974 were the best. Up to 15% per annum.

I was referring to the corruption of the political elite of each period. It is known that after the dictatorship most governments increased the number of public servants just to gain more votes.

[Tooting Carmen]

Re the junta's human rights record: although there were definitely some arrests of intellectuals, students, trade unionists etc, from what I understand the kinds of killings and forced disappearances that were prevalent around that time in Latin America and Southeast Asia were relatively rare.

[xripkan]

Re the junta's human rights record: although there were definitely some arrests of intellectuals, students, trade unionists etc, from what I understand the kinds of killings and forced disappearances that were prevalent around that time in Latin America and Southeast Asia were relatively rare.

This is true. The millitary dictatorships of Latin America (that of Pinochet for example) were more cruel. But again many crimes were commited in Greece too.

[brennus dux gallorum]

That happened in αντιπαροχή, in the late 70s, by Karamanlis.

It started with antiparohi, but junta kept this policy

[brennus dux gallorum]

I am not Greek but I'd say it was a terrible choice. A Greek monarchy is way better than a republic.

What has monarchy to do with this thread?

[brennus dux gallorum]

Re the junta's human rights record: although there were definitely some arrests of intellectuals, students, trade unionists etc, from what I understand the kinds of killings and forced disappearances that were prevalent around that time in Latin America and Southeast Asia were relatively rare.

Thats true.