Brexit Metaphor No 104.
When human babies are shown a toy and then the toy is hidden from view, the toy ceases to exist in the baby's perception of the world. Peekaboo!
Children older than two develop the understanding that the toy would continue to exist even after it is hidden or after the child stops observing it. This understanding of the permanent nature of objects is called "object permanence".
British Prime Minister Theresa May is currently treating the issue of the Irish border just like a baby views a hidden toy: she is asking for the topic to be hidden from view (kicked in the long grass under the euphemism "alternative arrangements") so that it may be forgotten.
In this process, the PM is also showing lack of awareness of a more sophisticated concept called "theory of mind": the ability to understand that others have different perspectives from your own. The EU has repeatedly said that the Irish backstop is non-negotiable, but Theresa May seems to be struggling to understand that what she wants may not be what the other EU member states want.
Reassuringly, human children and even great apes normally develop theory of mind. So there is hope that in the two months remaining until March 29, Theresa May will finally be able to demonstrate that she is a grown-up human being with object permanence and theory of mind.
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| Children playing Peekaboo (Source: Wikipedia) |
Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a series of original #BrexitMetaphors published daily. A total of 104 have been posted so far and another 57 Brexit Metaphors will be published every day until the planned Brexit date of March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration. He also thinks he knows a bit about business, economics, entrepreneurship, China, history, geography, nature, science and Rubik Cubes.
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