Opinion Sur
In order to fully understand a social juncture it is necessary to identify the needs, emotions, interests rarely outspoken, and the relative power of the diverse actors involved. Usually the interests of those who benefit from the economic dynamic prevail over the needs of the rest. Beneficiaries try to hide the base of their privileged position since, in order to maintain it, they require those sectors of society that do not get the same benefits to accept or at least not vigorously oppose the inequality that privilege generates. In order to achieve this they resort to disinformation, manipulating emotions, imposing ideas and values that enable the preservation of the status quo. They count with the economic power they have managed to accumulate and the complicity of certain sectors from the media, politics and the Judiciary favoring them. In many countries, emerging or developed, growing inequality has devastating political consequences. On one hand there is the growing power of plutocracy, whether it is in its selfish version or its slightly more benevolent philanthropic version. On the other hand, those who are left behind or exploited are prey to a whole spectrum of extremisms and resentments. Therefore the chance for a true reform, more equitable policies, and a rational and serious democracy becomes lost.
Facing this type of situations, too frequent in our democracies, requires unraveling complex facts, social mobilization and political organization, three critical dimensions that are part of any transformation process. The articles published by Opinion Sur seek to contribute with the needed modesty to the first of these dimensions.
Cordial greeting,
The Editors
