Occasional events or systemic results?

When some specific issues do not work correctly it is not right to point out that the economic and politic system we live in is no good. In any system there can be, in fact there are, episodes and chaotic facts due to perverted or wrong behaviors of certain people or groups. It is in order to restrain ourselves from making generalizations and extrapolating occasional events as if they characterized and conditioned the systemic course being presented as inevitable results of the way of functioning in which context we live and act. Even with mistakes, imperfections, tensions and a certain level of contradictions, the implemented course could be appropriate to head towards a fairer and more sustainable development and the prevailing way of functioning, never perfect and always with room for improvement, could help build a solid trajectory towards that desired referential utopia.

However, when the way of functioning leads to an accelerated wealth and income concentration process generating growing social inequality and leaving immense majorities in poverty and destitution; when financial capital takes over the global steering wheel and imposes a highly unstable course with the only purpose of strengthening its privileges; when that economic power affects the political, media, educational and ideological system co-opting accomplices that help silence voices who oppose that domination; when both under ‘normal’ circumstances and in times of crisis there are those who profit unmercifully at the expense of people’s pain and suffering; when corporate action destroys the environment which is the essential basis for the planet’s survival; when real economy (millions of micro, small, medium and large producers) is subverted and ambushed by financial speculation and aggravated criminal systems; when what is produced with greater profit margins are weapons, non renewable energy, drugs and other ‘goods and services’ not oriented to the general wellbeing; when spectacular scientific and technologic development is appropriated and oriented by the interests of sectors; when people fall into an existential alienation mined with grave addictions, disorientation and transformational inaction; when the hegemonic culture imposes values of greed, selfishness, not considering others and only promotes material gratifications, consumption, violence to resolve differences, fundamentalisms of all sorts; well, when this and much more prevails in a time and historic moment, it becomes impossible to attribute it to occasional events. We are standing in front of regrettable yet expected results, almost inevitable, of a mistaken systemic course and a destructive and not sustainable way of functioning.

The articles in this issue of Opinión Sur sustain the perspective of this editorial note and offer different points of view from those imposed as hegemonic. We claim, joining many other voices, that no system is eternal; that it is of the utmost importance for the sake of the planet and mankind to change the systemic course and transform our way of functioning. This implies building what is new with determination, responsibility and ability, using for the benefit of the society as a whole that knowledge and achievements people have tried so hard to produce over the years.

Cordial greeting.

The Editors