Opinion
Is the Government Talking us Out of a Prosperous Future?
by Simon Collister
Simon has worked as a research and strategy consultant for over sixteen years.
The Financial Times published some fascinating research recently which shows how the changes that catalysed the explosion of industry, innovation, scientific and human progress were cultural, not economic.
Economists from the Institute of Labor Economics in Germany analysed 173,031 books published between 1500 and 1900. They discovered a specific increase in the use of language relating to ‘progress’ and ‘innovation’ starting in the early 17th Century and championed by the leading philosophers, scientists, scholars and other leading figures of the time.
Crucially, this trend started before large-scale industrialisation took off, meaning the research proves that books aren’t just reflecting people talking about the wider changes happening around them.
The economists conclude that the research provides a ‘quantitative support for the idea that a cultural evolution in the attitudes towards the potential of science accounts in some part for the British Industrial Revolution and its economic takeoff’.
Continuing their analysis to the present day, the economists also find that over the past 60 years a further shift has occurred in the language used in the West. it’s changed from ‘progress’ and ‘innovation’ to ‘caution’, ‘worry’ and ‘risk-aversion’. And, you’ve guessed it, this data correlates with the slow-down in economic growth seen over the same period.
This fascinating work gives strong, quantifiable evidence that language matters. It provides “quantitative support” for the idea that when we talk positively about ourselves and society then we see growth and progress. When we talk ourselves down, we see slow-down and stagnation.
So why does this matter for the little-old, quiet and safe, Isle of Man.
At Reayrtys we believe that the dominant narrative used by Government and, admittedly, some members of the public, is exactly the cautious, disempowered language likely to diminish and undermine the potential the Isle of Man has to offer the world.
But don’t just take my word for it.
Take a look at how the Government refers to the Isle of Man in one very recent policy statement:
“As a small island community, and as a dependency of the British Crown”
Not a country with a unique and important history that is bestowed with more political and constitutional authority than most neighbouring areas. But a “community” that’s dependent on the British Crown. It’s a shameful and disempowering description.
Ready for another one? How about this from a statement to a Tynwald committee last year:
The Isle of Man is “a small island, with a correspondingly small influence.”
Stirring stuff, eh?
And it’s not just the political and policy language used to describe the Isle of Man which is guilty of undermining our deep pride and aspiration.
It seems a core pillar of the Government’s ‘Visit’ and ‘Locate’ marketing strategies are premised on diminishing what our proud island is capable of when you see language like “the safest place in the British Isles” being used. Or how about one recent UK media headline that screamed: “The old-fashioned island where you ‘never have to lock your car’”
Putting aside the reality of those sentiments, it’s hardly language to drive forward a dynamic and exciting economy or society.
Compare this language with one of our Irish Sea Space neighbours: Wales.
Wales describes itself as a “small country with big ambition” or, recently a “small place with big ideas”.
A friendly reminder that Wales has less autonomy than the Isle of Man.
Or if we look to Jersey, an island with a similar constitutional status, then we also find a different approach to projecting a powerful and aspirational identity.
To address what it calls the big global issues, such as “the changing relationship between the UK and Europe post-Brexit” as well as the “opportunity to diversify and innovate, as other British nations such as Scotland and Wales” the Jersey Government established a Board to review how it refers to itself in the wider world.
The Jersey Identity Board concluded that recognising its national identity mattered a great deal to its global ambitions. It states that Jersey could be accurately described as a ‘Country’ with a distinct international character – in order to build the “reputation and relationships we will depend on to thrive in a globalised world.”
So what do we do in the Isle of Man?
First and foremost Government and politicians need to recognise that language and culture matter. Creating a successful and dynamic society built on progress is intertwined with the way we think and talk about ourselves.
This means ditching the disempowering “small” and “dependent” narrative immediately. Establishing a programme to review and develop a new empowering identity and narrative like Jersey would be a welcome step – but dropping diminutive language in public statements is urgently needed. As is stepping up the use of empowering descriptors such as ‘Country’.
Secondly, creating an aspirational vision of what we – as a country – want to achieve is vital to shape our future-facing narrative. Without a sense of who we are, what we are about and how we will achieve it, we risk simply implementing vague plans that tweak details while our reputation and global relationships, to paraphrase the Jersey identity Board, degrade. To allow this to happen is short-sighted and cannot be allowed to happen.
