Politis

The Cypriot State Between the Hammer and the Anvil

Published March 1, 2026, 09:16
The Cypriot State Between the Hammer and the Anvil

Sotiris Kattou's article analyzes the Cypriot state through the lens of the narrative approach to the sociology of knowledge. The author examines the organic trends of differentiation of social arrangements during the period 2012-2022, pointing out a structural upheaval of the social stratification system and an unprecedented internal devaluation. Kattos argues that accession to the EU and the implementation of memoranda of understanding led to a socio-economic collapse, with increased inequality and a decrease in the share of wage labor. The TINA (There Is No Alternative) narrative legitimized these arrangements, while the loss of cultural identity functioned as an ideological mechanism. The author analyzes changes in the labor market and the increase in wealth inequality, using indicators such as the share of wage labor and the Gini coefficient. He points out that the top 10% of the population holds a disproportionately large share of the wealth. Finally, Kattos argues that the Cypriot state is caught between a rock and a hard place, facing structural challenges and social inequalities. His analysis provides a framework for understanding the political and social dynamics in Cyprus.