First installment of the series: Introduction
In the previous installment, we explored the components of the subjectivity of the modern state. Let’s discuss them in more detail.
A Vision of the Future
First and foremost, the Republic of Moldova needs to establish a “country brand,” the essence of which is to be a space of cutting-edge development.
This idea is intended to reveal a vision of the future: it answers the question “Why does the country exist?” in a civilizational sense; it sets the direction for the state’s development, unites the elites and society, conveys a clear message to the outside world, and—as it is fleshed out—translates into institutions and policies.
The holistic concept of creating a “country brand,” formulated by our INBRASA Institute, encompasses three levels of meaning that explain the vision of the future to different audiences. Namely:
a) Civilizational level: Moldova—a space of cutting-edge development. The vision of the country’s future is presented on a grand, philosophical scale; it is not limited to any specific sector or academic framework, and allows for various models of implementation.
b) State level: Moldova—a highly adaptable country. In the 21st century, it is not the largest systems that succeed, but those that adapt most quickly. This slogan makes sense for a small country; it justifies reorganization, links artificial intelligence (synthetic algorithms), education, development regions, and the economy, and explains the country’s flexibility.
c) Human level: Moldova unlocks human potential. This thesis brings together education, technology, culture, regions, health, and entrepreneurship. The advantage of this phrasing is that it is not about the economy; it is about the people of the future.
Taken together, all three levels of meaning—addressed to both people and countries—convey a profound, far-reaching, understandable, creative, and politically stable image of the Republic of Moldova in the 21st century.
The Person of the Future
What kind of person fits this vision of the Republic of Moldova’s future and the era as a whole? Based on many years of observing changes in the world and understanding the stages of the new paradigm, we can arrive at the following image:
– versatile: flexible , mobile, combining the qualities of a “humanities scholar” and a “techie,” capable of feeling at ease not only within their narrow field of professional expertise but also in related and even unrelated fields;
– possessing critical and engineering thinking, imagination , and an inventive spirit;
– at the same time, they must possess certain personal qualities that are fundamental to a sociocrat —kindness, aspiration, freedom, willpower, and reliability.
This set of qualities is key but not dogmatic—it can be expanded with additional knowledge, skills, and competencies that develop a person’s character in line with the challenges of the times and the envisioned future of the state.
However, even the core list provides us not merely with a well-educated person, but with a modern individual capable of adapting to the demands of the era and remaining competitive—exactly what is needed both by Moldova itself and by the world at large.
Cultural Code
The main problem with most attempts to formulate a Moldovan cultural code is that they describe the national character and traditions rather than a cultural program for the future. In other words, they look to the past, showcasing ethnography, and fail to demonstrate functionality and a drive to move forward. In today’s reality, ethnography alone is insufficient for a country’s development.
The cultural code of a country aspiring to sovereignty is not nostalgia or folklore, but a set of deep-seated values that ensure the reproduction of the desired type of person and the desired type of state.
Contemporary research shows that the sustainable, innovative development of small states—including the Republic of Moldova—is linked not so much to resources, which we have almost none of, as to a combination of several cultural factors: long-term thinking, low power distance, high adaptability, tolerance for diversity of opinion, the development of human capital, and a culture of initiative.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that a country’s cultural code must meet all five of the following criteria simultaneously:
– stem from the country’s history;
– be effective in the 21st century;
– serve as the foundation of education;
– to be the foundation of the economy;
– be capable of lasting 50–100 years without becoming obsolete.
What meets these criteria, the stated vision for the future of the Republic of Moldova, the global trends of the 21st century, and the cultural characteristics that research links to the success of small states in the age of knowledge and AI?
The answer is obvious—the formula (also known as the cultural code) “Unlock Potential. Create the Future, ” which can be explained as follows:the state, society, and culture exist so that every person, every region, every idea, and every generation can realize their full potential.
Elena Radu,
Director of the “Alfa” Institute for Strategic Branding (INBRASA)
