Election days are very dramatic. When the result is known, the headquarters of the winning option is filled with speeches, laughter, challas and champagne. Strangers arrive who did not see each other in the battle who want to pass as victors and take part of the spoils. Everyone like fireflies look for lights and microphones. They want to talk and line up for it. It is the hour of glory.
In the headquarters of the defeated option, on the other hand, everyone leaves, the echoes of the void sound, the platforms are disassembled and the chairs are removed. No one arrives and, if there is someone inside, he prefers not to go out and not be seen. There is no one who wants to talk. Disappear the canapés and sparkling wines destined for the feast of victory that was not. I always wonder what will become of this cocktail, who will take it and enjoy it. Because defeat has a bitter taste. The loser might choke on the canapé and not feel the sweetness of champagne.
Napoleon said that victory has many parents, but defeat is orphaned. Kennedy copied it and said something similar. They were right.
But what should the winner and loser look like? The victor must have greatness of soul and treat the vanquished well. Magnanimous are the great of soul (magna-animus). Hence the “magnanimous in victory” from Churchill to sports commentators. The vanquished, on the other hand, must be honorable and dignified to know how to lose and recognize defeat.
Magnanimous in victory are generous, not revanchists, neither proud nor vain. They empathize with the frustration of the vanquished.
The defeated must be dignified and honest, for their part. They are the ones who show their face, recognize and respect the results, congratulate the winner and offer to collaborate in whatever is necessary.
Seeing these noble gestures gratifies and dignifies us all. Also in politics.
They will be especially necessary on the day of the plebiscite and those that follow, because paradoxically winners and losers will have to work amicably, side by side, from that same night to reach transversal agreements. The challenge that winners and losers will have since then will be common, but from one of the options. They will have to overcome their divisions, strengthen democracy and maintain governability. Also give course to a good constituent continuity, whether it wins the Approve or the Reject.
Churchill learned the importance of being “magnanimous in victory” from the mistake they made with Germany when it was defeated in World War I in 1918. They did not allow her to participate in the negotiations of the treaties, they reduced and divided the territory, they imposed war reparations that she could not pay. It was practically an unconditional surrender. The humiliation of defeat and the great social crisis were then the triggers of populism and nationalism in Germany. Hitler and the Nazis began to grow like foam, also the German desire to become great again and dominate all of Europe. Until in 1941 Germany and Hitler unleashed World War II. When it was over, this time Churchill had already learned his lesson and knew that they must be magnanimous with the vanquished.
Greatness in victory and dignity in defeat was also seen at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Hitler was dictator and the Olympics were publicity for him and to make known to the world the new power of Germany, which had been humiliated after the First World War. They built an impressive stadium and the huge Hindenburg airship strolled above. The Fuehrer arrived and a terrifying fascist salute sounded from seventy thousand people, like one voice: Heil Hitler!
The Nazis also wanted to demonstrate in the Olympics the superiority of Germany or the “Aryan” race.
The U.S. sent several athletes of color, including Jesse Owens, an incredible sprinter. Hitler considered blacks an inferior race. But in the long jump test the unexpected happened. Owens was about to be disqualified. His adversary was the German Ludwid Long, an Aryan prototype. In that context, the German was magnanimous and helped the black not to be disqualified. Owens made a spectacular leap and approached Long to give him infinite thanks. In the final, Owens beat the German, taking the gold medal. Long was the first to congratulate Owens and took him by the arm to take the Olympic lap together. Unimaginable greatness in that context. They became great friends. Owens said he won that medal thanks to Long. The black won three other gold medals in that Olympics, to the misfortune of the of Hitler and the Germans, but he was always magnanimous with these.
As we can see, the smallness of the victor over the vanquished, as happened in the First World War, can have many costs. Instead, magnanimous ones like Owens and Long are remembered and praised forever.
You and I have a great opportunity this September 4th and 5th. We can have greatness and dignity. Once the result of the plebiscite is known, let us each send a magnanimous message and “good vibes” to someone on the opposite side. Perhaps it multiplies throughout Chile, as if it were desert, forest and mountain range. As Serrat would say, “it would be a detail, a symptom of urbanity.” Tell him that “it would be fantastic if the best one won and strength was not the reason”… that we would agree and be as it is, as noble as you have imagined.
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The content expressed in this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
