Editor’s Note 57

There is a lot of effervescence going on in South America these days. Strong and renovated winds are blowing. Different country models are being tried with greater or lesser internal and external consensus/opposition. The uniqueness of each experience is remarkable; finding common denominators to depict what is happening in Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia and now Paraguay is not a simple task. This is taking place at a phase of important changes in international conditions, which on the one hand cast a shadow over the situation of countries with huge poor populations, and on the other favor the countries of the Region, many of which are food producers as well as producers of energy resources and other non renewable minerals.

In this readjustment of forces and expectations, new and old interests and protagonists collide: those that emerge with the new times and those that secure the functioning of the existing systems. Once again we need to address the dilemma of giving way to changes that are indispensable, linked to equity and justice towards majorities that have been postponed for long, and at the same time ensuring that those changes do not block the functioning of the whole precisely at a time when opportunities we used not to have access to can be capitalized on.

How much growth based on the current pillars –already tried but unfair- shall we attempt, and how much development of a new type -that makes room for more inclusive yet less tried innovations- shall we achieve? Shall we miss opportunities owing to the struggles an indispensable income re-distribution may provoke? Should we crystallize the exclusion so as to make sure we grow at rates that were unthinkable a short time ago? Could we have the best of both worlds, innovation and social justice with vigorous growth? How to ensure the willingness and contribution of leading corporations without postponing the hundreds of thousands of small producers that make up the base of our productive apparatus? And what to do about the needs damned for so much time regarding education, health, safety and dignified housing? How to fund them and manage their coverage? Who will pay for those expenses and who will evade their share of responsibility? How to close the cracks through which corruption, aggravated crime, human rights violation, the destruction of the environment, the stripping of democratic institutions flow?

It is true, the challenges are not few or simple and, however, each generation has faced its own options that have not been either minor or less complex than ours. We will need to practice realism with solidarity, to be efficient and fair, to reward drive and creativity without underestimating those who, through their work, create the conditions that enable creativity and leadership to develop. In that direction go our searches. Seeing us as human beings that participate in economic systems where each one complements and facilitates the effort of the other and not as isolated units that believe to be self-sufficient. Recognizing us as parts of a social system whose health requires justice and equal opportunities and where there is no choice to forget those who are left behind and those who are unprotected the most. Understanding ourselves as a full, not only formal democracy, where the imperfect institutions we have will improve step by step and where the political system knows how to facilitate and constructively channel the transformations that are being claimed, rather than resisting or distorting them. Placing ourselves just as privileged guests of this planet Earth for it to continue being our best and most generous ally, instead of attacking the environment and suffering later on the effects of such craziness and foolishness.

Yes, there we go in our search. Nothing is already settled, there is a lot to be discovered; without recipes or fears; with caution but also determination. There we go; for, because and with all. There is where we are forging our destiny.

We hope the articles of this new Opinion Sur issue are of interest and use to you.

We look forward to reaching you next month; let’s hope we’ll get in touch.

Cordial greetings,

The Editors.”

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