Expression of values through aesthetic style of governance

Freedom, Democracy, Justice: Isolated Nouns or Interwoven Verbs? (Part #12)

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A provocative question for the emerging systems of governance in the Arab world is how they are to be recognized as embodying a unique aesthetic style -- especially given the style traditionally associated with Arab culture. Whilst "style" can be understood conventionally as synonymous with "method", the question is whether there is any degree of elegance to be recognized as informing that method and imbuing it with qualities that would otherwise be absent. Value added?

The matter has been argued speculatively in relation to governance in the distant future (Aesthetics of Governance in the Year 2490, 1990). It may well be that the future will recognize present governance as tragically lacking in aesthetic style -- as reflected in administrative architecture, notably of the European Community sector of Brussels. This absence is consistent with arguments regarding the "soulless" nature of international institutions and their architectural manifestations..

The relevance of the point can be emphasized by the following images reflecting the contrasting musical preferences of Europeans.

Contrasting caricatures of "harmonization" in governance? (reproduced from Governing Civilization through Civilizing Governance Global challenge for a turbulent future, 2008)
Top-down "static" vision? "explicit imaginary"	Bottom-up "non-static" vision? "implicit real"
EU "non-Constitutional" Reform Treaty (in process of ratification under questionable conditions of "democratic deficit") suppressing reference to the EU anthem (Beethoven's Ode to Joy)	Eurovision Song Contest Winner (Athens, 2006) Elected overwhelmingly through a record Europe-wide popular "democratic process" (Lordi's song Hard Rock Hallelujah)
If aesthetic harmony (notably musical lyrics) offers a way forward, possibilities might include: A Singable Earth Charter, EU Constitution or Global Ethic? All Blacks of Davos vs All Greens of Porto Alegre: reframing global strategic discord through polyphony?

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