[BerislavLopac]

> In a democratic republic (and since the Greeks originated this concept, I think we can allow that they understand it)

This point keeps being repeated, but even if we allowed that historical political achievement could direct the actual national mentality, please consider that since the times of ancient democracy Greece has mostly seen governments which are still remembered as the epitomes of dictatorship and politicking -- from Byzantium, through Ottoman Empire, all the way to the post-WWII military regime. Today's common mentality in most of the Balkans, including Greece, is very far from the ideals of the Athenian democracy (which was itself not really very democratic, leaving out the large majority of people such as women, slaves etc).

[anigbrowl]

I completely agree, but I think that political agency also involves an acceptance of responsibility. To suggest that populations are helpless against governments that promptly borrow them into penury is as much magical thinking as the idea that you can just cut your way to prosperity. In reality you don't usually see people running out into the street to protest additional government borrowing. (Please note that I think the Greek crisis is a lot more complex than a few numbers on a national balance sheet, but I don't see any point in trying to re-summarize it in every single comment.)