My father is one of the best drivers I know. He’s very observant of driving rules in our home town of Cabrera and when he goes to NY; but in Santo Domingo, all bets are off! He drives like a maniac. This anecdote shows the power of both political culture and institutions on our behavior. My dad behaves differently in Santo Domingo because there is, seemingly, a different culture and set of institutions than in our small town or NY.
Many theorists claim that culture and political systems go hand in hand.
That is true. Governments cannot persist when public sentiment is desynchronized with the political system and when the public has mobilized against it. Moreover, students of political change argue that changes in a people’s attitude (culture) lead to changes in the political systems. Again, I agree. But how can we change people’s attitudes?
Before trying to answer that question, let’s ask what factors help fashion the public’s attitudes. Jim Scott’s Seeing Like a State, which I encourage people to read, shows the importance of government institutions in patterning society. In his book, Scott looked at how government land management policies in Russia partition land ownership and introduced the concept of private property. Similarly, he discusses how the forest ministry in Germany created a “modern,” productive
forest. These efforts, among other examples, were aimed at making society more “legible.” In turn, these efforts shaped how the public interacted with the forest, their land, and with each other. The point to take away here is that institutions have an immeasurable impact on shaping the public’s behavior and their attitudes.
Another example how institutions shape our culture and behavior is the family. The concept of “the family” may not seem like an institution for many, but it is. Institutions are not only big organizations led by politicians; they are any stable practices, beliefs, or organization that patterns our behavior. Families are stable structures that pattern our behavior and beliefs. How many people belong to a political party or a religion because they were born into it?
I hope I have provided enough support for my claim that institutions are very important in shaping our culture and behavior. For lack of space and time, I must leave it at that, but I am happy to continue the discussion. Just to clarify, I am not saying that institutions are the ONLY factors in shaping people’s behavior and culture. There are other salient variables, which I won’t get into right now.
So, if we accept the importance of institutions in shaping culture and behavior, then we need to change political institutions in order to change culture, right? But there is a problem here, institutions are VERY conservative. They only care about their own survival. That is why many myths, stories, and subsequent institutions are created to buttress and ensure the continuity of existing institutions; e.g. political systems create educational institutions that develop “good citizens”, that don’t question the hegemony of the dominant political structure. They also support religious organizations that help maintain a docile public. In all, a hydra, supported by formal and informal institutions, emerges that seeks and ensures the perpetuity of the status quo.
Is there then no hope for change? YES THERE IS! According to Gaetano Mosca, a conservative theorist from the early 20th century, even though the ruling change is inevitable. Mosca holds that when new elements are introduce into a society, “there comes a period of renovation, or, if one prefer, of revolution, during which individual energies have free play and certain individuals, more passionate, more energetic, more intrepid or merely shrewder than others, force their way from the bottom of the social ladder to the topmost rungs.” However, in a democracy, the ruling classes have developed processes to control/stymie significant political change by usurping or incorporating insurgent movements into their ranks. This is Mosca’s conservative theory of democracy…
But don’t lose hope yet. As just alluded, among the oppressed mass, individuals with extraordinary capacities emerge and make use of “democratic” rights to build a bottom-up social movement to challenge the hegemony of the existing institutions that support the oppressive power-relations. The key thing is that these individuals and social-movements need to be protected from being usurped by dominant groups. They also need to be supported, because the legitimate dominant groups will use existing myths and mechanisms of discrimination to try to discredit these new social movements. They will be labeled enemies of the nation, vende-patria, or heretics - does this sound familiar? These new movements are challenging existing institutions and need our support to get their voice heard.
Let me try to end by tying all this theoretical mumbo-jumbo into something more concrete. In the DR, we have a political clientelistic system that limits political debate to issues that will not change/challenge existing power relations, protects cronies, impinges our political, economic and human rights, and maintains the public preoccupied/distracted in meaningless symbolic gestures and by generating the conditions that lead to crime and instability. How can I demand to be more included in politics when I’m in constant fear of being mugged, or a Haitian raping my wife, or drug lords controlling half the country? These are all distractions, some more real than others – crime in Santo Domingo is out of control; but even this can change, if the government invested more in the public sphere, and less in legislators’ salaries or highways going to fancy resorts in the eastern part of the country.
If we want to change politics, we need to support the right of social movements to be heard. We may not agree with their message, but by remaining silent while these social movements are persecuted, labeled traitors, or bought out, we are supporting the status quo. As individuals, we also need to become more active. We need to go to party meetings and demand that our leaders become more publicly oriented. Who knows, maybe some of us are the individuals- more passionate, more energetic, more intrepid or merely shrewder than others- that will lead the social movements to change existing institutions and subsequently our political culture to become more equitable, transparent, inclusive, public oriented, and just.
Edward D. Gonzalez-Acosta
Department of Politics
The New School for Social Research
gonze459@newschool.edu
"In capitalist societies, education, whether secular or religious, the teaching of moral reflexes handed down from father to son, the exemplary integrity of workers decorated after fifty years of loyal and faithful service, the fostering of love for harmony and wisdom, those aesthetic forms of respect for the status quo, instill the exploited a mood of submission and inhibition which considerably eases the task of the agents of law and order" - Franz Fanon
"Whatever you do may seem very small, but it is important that you do it" - M. Gandhi
From: United Kingdom
Mr. Acosta,I agree with about 75% of your article.I agree that(Dominican)institutions pave the way for corruption and abuse,common sense would dictate that if the Police don’t respect the law ;Why should you? I however, don’t think,its a conspiracy perpetuated by the elite, to keep the masses preoccupied. They are not that smart! Mr. Acosta, it might look that way, the distractions you mention are very real(not the Haitian one); the biggest issues that the DR is facing today, are not a priority to the elite, because they are seldom affected by such things. Many Dominicans, would love for such a social movement to develop, but like me, they would be very skeptical in the beginning. Where are the new social movements? And I do mean movements, because there is a very thin line between movement and special interest group.Movements that are driven by a single issue, are not movements, they’re just a lobby.
From: United Kingdom
Is the Dr,socially and economically ready for such a movement ?Under Rostow’s model of economic development,the Dr is in the 3 stage :The Takeoff. Where farmers leave the farms,and move to the cities to work in industrial jobs.The DR in a crucial point in it economic development, because its at risk for “immiserizing growth“(in respect to tourism, not a primary good for export),unless there is diversification in the services sector(Cuba, will become open to tourism in the forcible future)and increase development in other sectors.This brings up another question :Does the DR possess the human capital to bring such wide change,without incorporating certain segments of the status quo? Not with the current scholastic system. As it stands today the DR is a particularistic society; can it change Mr. Acosta? Yes it can, but there’s a lot of work ahead of us. P.S The whole premise Of “social engineering” is intriguing and begs for further discussion.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Mr. Acosta;
I must agree with you on many of your points outlined above.
I do have one additional thought to put forth for general mastication by thereading public.
Here goes:
The Dominican Republic, while asserting that it is a Democracy (that is defined as Representative Governent Officials elected by the population), that definition really doesn't hold up under close scrutiny.
The DR can be likened to a "feudal state" existing under a false mask. Only the names of the constituencies of government are changed to fit current popular belief.
The legislators and other high gov't. officials take on the role model of the Barons of medeval times and the heads of the various minesteries occupy the position of the King's Privy Councel. This system has served as a functional model for the various DR Governments since being put in place during the time of Columbus and hasn't changed appreciably since.
Your comments???
From: Dominican Republic
Interesting article. Interesting comments! There seems to be a synergy of thinking in play. There is no doubt in my mind that most ruling classes need to create enemies, real or imagined to keep subjugated their masses and justify taxing them in order to keep exploiting them. If there were no enemies why would an army be necessary?If there wasn't the level of crime why would we need so many policemen, so many bars on our windows and doors? Why would our insurance premiums have to be so high? Why would we need so many lawyers? These people thrive because there is crime and the criminals are their internal army doing the raping and pillaging on their behalf. If criminals were sent away as they should be, soon there would be less need for the services that they create a need for. As the opinion piece suggests, as long as we are all kept off balance and don't recognize what is going on, we cannot make any meaningful changes because the social structure is designed to prevent this.
From: United Kingdom
Texasbill, I would not go that far back in time for a useful parallel to the ineffectiveness of the Dominican state; the DR is more like 19th century NYC, with Tammany Hall(political Machine) controlling patronage, corruption, and usurpation of the opposition through unscrupulous means. The Fernandez Administration can be compared with the Tweed ring that controlled Tammany hall for many years.
On another note: I’m truly surprised that both of Mr. Gonzales brilliant editorials, haven’t been more thoroughly debated. Both articles deserve, to be discussed in detail or does he need to put up a Sonia Pierre quote to get people talking again lol.
From: United States
for all you erudite gtentlemen who have responded to the article, and to Ed himself, may i suggest a piece of reading, or rather two; please bear with me,as i am experiencing a severe case of laptop inadequacy. first
1) go to google
2) google; CLIENTELISM IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
3) look for the article entitled CONCEPT PAPER-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. it is a world bank article
then google; THE PERFECT LATIN AMERICAN IDIOT
look for FOREIGN POLICY; THE RETURN OF THE IDIOT. these are wonderful articles i recommended in another post
From: United States
Texas Bill examines the feudal nature of societal and governmental institutions in the DR, and his analysis in some way explains the lack of commonality of interests which would lead to some sort of coherent national ideologies and planned strategies here . one of the central themes of feudalism is that territories within a country ,such as england of that era, were all presided over by powerful lords, many of whom were more powerful than the king himselves. they had their own armies, often more powerful than the army of the king, and, virtually made their own laws. the stable reign of the king was at their mercy; hence the appelation KINGMAKERS. the current situation in the dr is not far removed philosophically; areas all have their local caudillos, virtual chieftains, a holdover idea from the 19th century. they have no political philosophy rooted in intellectual inquiry, and are differentiated from all other caudillos only by geography. the politics of the united states differs
From: United States
radically from that of the DR in that it is ,in the main, split beteen the Democrats and the Republicans, each of whom hold philosophical positions radically antipodal to each other. elections are therefore decided by the agglomeration of people of similar social , economic and political ideology to form a unitary voting bloc. in the DR, there is no philosophical difference between politicians. their appeal lies solely in service and goods delivery, and quid pro quo; give my district a bridge or a fountain and i will importune my subjects to vote for you. so the PLD is urban based, the PRD rural centered. so despite the fact that so few people will benefit from the METRO project, it is Leonels way of gratifying the urban base. if he loses the election, the PRD will likely abandon its completion and divert funding to rural highways and aqueducts. this explains the proliferation of unfinished public works in the country. its not that they ran out of money; the money went elsewhere
From: United States
within this social format, there is no common aspiration to better the NATION as a whole. the caudillo fron Azua wants a highway overpass for his area, and he couldnt care less what Barahona gets, let alone the country as a whole. the national well being is an abstraction that is an unaffordable luxury; there are more immediate and pressing matters in the province. the central political directorate does not govern nor electioneer based on the support of people of like minds; it has to deliver targeted sevices to buy votes. that accounts for the dog eat dog attitudes; the guy in the giant jeepeta runs you off the road because the only important entity in his mind is himself; he does not view his environs as a collection of equal souls, and you are merely an inconvenience in his way. ex -baseball player Raul Mondesi switched party allegiance from PRD to PSRC to PLD in a span of a few weeks. that should tell you a lot about commitment to IDEAS!
Written by: Lautaro, 13 Dec 2007 8:28 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Also, mr. dreadlocks, we have to include another variable in the feudalistic equation of the DR: that of the absentee magnates. Like in colonial Saint Domingue (Haiti), there's a subclass within the elite that only concern themselves about exploiting the riches of the colonial soil without actually living in the colony, only staying here a few times of a given year, their power and influence being exerted by plantation overseers and politicians on their payroll. An example of this subclass can be found in the Fanjul family, their main concern being exerting the true extent of their influence in the metropolis (the USA).
From: United States, Washington
Mike has done an excellent job expanding my point. But what I want to do is engage in a discussion about how to change this parochial/subject political mentality - where caudillos and Dons lead, while individuals are passive and only relate to G output and not in the decisionmaking process - to a citizen mentality where people cease to think that politicians are doing favors for the public when they do the job they are (over)paid for and spend OUR tax money providing us faulty public services. Given the clientelistic institutional framework we have, it makes sense that we have a parochial/subject pol. culture, but how can we change this? I propose that we seek a social movement that promotes a participatory & public agenda, and we get behind it 110%. Additionally, I think we need to DEMAND from our parties and leaders - WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? What's your VISION for the DR? What is JUSTICE, PROGRESS/DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMOCRACY? And not vilify those mov't that fight for our rights.
-e. g
From: United States
wonderful observation, Mr Lautaro. look at the British Caribbean ex-colonies, and contrast them with their counterparts in su-saharan Africa. barbados, jamaica, antigua, grenada, trinidad, are all countries with limited natural resources ( except for trinidad with oil and natural gas.), yet they are modern, relatively civilised societies. barbados, for example, has the second highest literacy rate in the western hemisphere. to hark back to Mr Lautaro, the difference is that the caribbean territories were all residencial colonies. the colonisers lived there, and fashioned the islands in their image, for better or worse. Africa, on the other hand, comprised of absentee colonialists, who left the running of the colonies to local warlords and chieftains, in return for material tribute; a rental, if you will. the chieftains had no nationalist vision of developing the country, because it was easier to be the boss and get rich; administration and ideology are hard work.
From: United States
at the same time, the colonial masters did not imbue the chieftains with too much technology and methodologies to improve the areas, because they had no plans to live there, so why bother. if the area was inhospitable, had a non existent legal system, inadequate education and no health care, that was the problem of the chieftains. the chieftains didnt care either; when it was time to get educated,they had the money to go to Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard or Yale. if they had a life threatening infirmity, they could head off to Berlin for an operation. if the missus wanted a new evening gown,Paris was only an airplane ride away. gentlemen, i see a parallel here, and in haiti. if you disagree with me, dont be afraid to shout me down!
From: United States
to respond to Mr Baldoria23, there are people such as yourself who would like to ask the politicians to articulate their positions publicly, if they do have a position. this is where the press and other media should play a more robust role. the run-up to the elections in the united states, for example, is characterised by numerous televised debates, wherein the candidates are grilled by moderators and, in the case of the YOUTUBE format, the general public. they want answers, not free brugal and waterfowl! these debates are,in the main, sponsored and promoted by press clubs, tv stations and newspapers. people get to hear the position occupied by candidates on substantive matters such as fiscal policy and foreign policy, education and health care. the public then gets a chance to see which candidate espouses viewpoints which resonate with theirs. it is time that demands be placed on candidates here to eschew the political floats and get serious with the voters,if indeed they can!
From: United States, Washington
In this sense, we can learn from the US. We can try to question the candidates or at least the parties. We the people can reach out to the political parties and ask - What does Fernandez, Vargas, Amable, and other party leaders think about this issue or that... It always helps when we are a bit more organized. But we can try to organize ourselves. We call each political party and ask them what their party's OFFICIAL position is on a few of issues.
Maybe I'll go ahead and do that, to see what if anything I find. I'll report back in a future article...
If anyone wants to help strategize, send me an email and we can work together on this initiative. We can discover what the party positions are, or that they are reluctant to share information. Either way, the results will be interesting.
my email: gonze459@newschool.edu
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
All of you---This discussion has taken on a life of it's own on these pages. The postings indicate to me that there are those of you who would "take the ball and run with it" in all efforts to turn the Dominican Republic into a de facto Democratic Republic, governed by elected people from all walks of life.
Unlike Alexasder Hmilton, I don't think that there isan ELITE whose education and political background empower them, solely, to Govern the masses of a national population.
Getting the various Political Parties in the DR to respond to enquiries of their stance (platform) on political, economic and social programs would be an effort in futility.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
I ran out of space.
Continuing with the above line of thought (I think), I would support any and all efforts to bring about a TRUELY Democratic Government in the DR.
I don't hold with Alexander Hamilton and his ideas that only the select few are equipped to govern.
The system in place in the USA has been a shining example of the opposite philoophy for over 200 years. It is a good model, although at times has been briefly adulterated by some parties at the local and state levels. A case in point is theTamany Hall timeframe previously mentioned.
I wil offer my limited expertise to whatever limits it can be used. Bear in mind that I am ONLY a Permanent Resident, not a Citizen of the DR. My vested interest is embodied in my family and toward that end I will work with whomever fosters LEGITIMATE changes to the present way of government and society.
TB
From: United Kingdom
A virtual “ Social Political Think Tank “: now there is an idea.
From: United States
the most common complaint i hear regarding the political directorate ( besides their absolute lack of any semblance of morality) , is that once they ascend the thrones of power, they forget the little man, the voters who put them in power. they only concern themselves with those who occupy more lofty perches in the social pecking order, and the socially and economically underprivileged are marooned on an isolated desert island to fend for themselves. ironically, the reverse takes place BEFORE the election! the more educated stratum, the ones with the intellectual firepower to be disruptive by asking questions, are relegated to the background. all attention is focused on the so-called little man, because his numbers preponderate, and politics is a numbers game.so the efforts are focused toward entertaining and attracting the masses, hence the raucous flatbed floats, the alcohol and livestock giveaways, and general excesses of buffoonery. the educated voter is neglected, left out in a
From: United States
virtual political wilderness, passively waiting for the political occurencies to play themselves out, with voices silenced, at least temporarily. with the JCE doling out billions of pesos of public treasure, the intellegentsia should make initiatives toward demanding a voice in the process. hell, they help to pay for it! they should take initiatives to force political aspirants to declare their political hands, and show why they deserve the right to be considered worthy of running a country. we should attempt to secure the following; a portion of the JCE largesse should be allocated toward a full page newspaper article by each prospective candidate, adumbrating his position on matters of pressing importance, such as education, free trade, health care, globalization, electricity delivery, the drug problem, and all other salient issues. he should indicate his understanding of the issues, and his vision for tackling them. secondly, he should be importuned to face a panel of
From: United States
interrogators, to ventilate his ideas in a televised forum. when such a scenario plays itself out, people are better able to decide for themselves who is acceptable and who is fit only to administer a hot dog cart. the educated people deserve a voice too; there is nothing elitist about that. they should not be forced to live in a social ecosystem presided over someone who cannot find Puerto Rico on a map, simply because he can use public funds to attract large numbers. that, my friends, is not democracy! that is tyranny by tomfoolery!
Written by: Lautaro, 14 Dec 2007 8:41 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
A good idea for scaring the hell out of this political bufoons would be if the civil society would force the inclusion of the political mechanism of the "plebiscito revocatorio" like it's done on Venezuela. In a "plebiscito revocatorio" the people will not have to wait for the electoral period to arrive to let the elected politicians know the full brunt of their displeasure, as it happened with the past government of Hipolito Mejia. Instead, the people would have the right to demand the celebration of anticipated elections as soon as things start to go wrong on the administration on power. It's one of the best examples of direct democracy that I have ever seen.
From: United States
magnificent idea, Mr Lautaro. if i am not mistaken, i think you are describing a recall election. this is what happened in california when the public had become fed up with the bungling antics of then governor Gray Davis. they invoked the clause of the constitution which essentially voided his tenure as governor. if he wanted to continue to serve out his term, he had to face the electorate a second time. in his case,he did, but he lost to the current governor, Arnold Schwartzenneger. if we had such a clause, we would be able to weed out the useless drones that are just parasites upon the society. we would not have to abide them for the full four year term, but could expunge them whenever we felt it was time for them to a private life of indolence!
Written by: Lautaro, 15 Dec 2007 3:40 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
That idea reminded me about the fundamental criticism that the XVIII century philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau had about the western parlamentarian system: that instead of exercising sovereignity by assembly, he advocated for them to exercise their sovereignity directly. In this view, Rosseau claimed that the english people were only free at the time of the elections of the members of Parliament (MP), that after the electionary time passed, they'll have to go back to their miserable servitude.
From: United States
my sentiments exactly, Mr Lautaro. this is exactly why i am disillusioned by the continual references to DEMOCRACIES by the likes of George Bush. in his limited mind, he thinks that a democracy is a political entity which has participatory elections. democracy for the masses in most of these so-called democracies starts and ends at the voting booth. after they vote, they have no voice for the next electoral cycle. as you are always at pains to point out, some of these countries are presided over by emperors; the people are not citizens, but subjects!
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
All present day "Democracies" are far cry from the "Athenian" concept which started the whole revolution in Politicl Philosophy. That original concept has been altered to fit the quualifications of each society which has developed and embrased it.
Democracies today aare infinitely more like the Roman system under the original Roman Senate until that too became audulterated by various political activists who changed the system to fit their collective ideas of governing.
As long as we have intellectual exploratio of political science, we will have individual inputs from those who think they have a better "mouse trap" for governing.
The ideas of Karl Marx notwithstanding. He had some good ideas, but in the final analysis, he did not take into consideration the ambition of the individual and his inherent drive for a better life-situation. Because of that and the will to be free of incumberences, the system failed.
Just a thumbnail sketch not worth much.
TB
Written by: eddiev, 16 Dec 2007 6:55 AM
From: Argentina
Gentlemen: I invite you to look back in Dominicantoday's old opinions the following articles: Educating a country, Foreign Investment and A foreigner's toughts on Dominican culture. The man that wrote those articules was born in Argentina, a USA citizen that lived in Mexico for a number of years, (my self). The problem is generalized throughout Latin America, its 500 plus years old and unmanageble in some countries. At least in this case we can thank that Dominicantoday and other Dominican publications give us the oportunity for publicly saying our toughts, after 51 years I'm back in the place where I was born, here you can't even hope for any thing like that. Democracy is being interpreted by a bunch of hoodlums throughout Latin America to fit theire own personal interests, it is no longer a sytem for governing, its just a banner to hide behind.
From: United States
sadly, Eddiev, that article is no longer available. i will request that dominicantoday retreives it from archives and put it back on the active board .thanks for the alert. Latin America will remain a socio-politically antiquated backwater well into the foreseeable future. south and central america have always had more natural resources than the far east, but look at the relative situations. look at singapore, for a start. apart from a favorable geographic location vis a vis shipping routes, it has little else. yet it is ultra modern, hyper competitive, and extremely civilised. i will concede that its laws are draconian in certain instances, but if one does not want to feel the sting, one can always comply ! then look at Mexico, with oil and precious metals and all kinds of natural resources, and it is a land of billionaires and paupers. its leaders refuse to make things right, so they distribute maps to help the poor smuggle themselves into the USA!
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Gentlemen:
Throughout the History of the world, there has been various experiments in Government. In each cse the failure of these exeiments lay not in the philosophy of thesystems but in the failure of those charged with the management of those systems.
The failure of leaders to marry economic systems with governing systems has caused a constant turmoil for which there is no single solution. Thus we are constantly faced with the conundrum of satisfying the populace as well as the requirements of the governing bodies to achieve a balance which will result in the equitable distribution the factors of production and their distributive shares relative to the contributions of both brain power and muscle power within the social arena.
Once power has been gained by one element, it becomesvirtually impossible to dislodge that element from that position without a violent upheaval whether by physicaly or electoral means.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
In the recent past, there is very visible evidence of gross dissatisfaction anoung the populations of many nations. This evidence is in the form of popular protests against certain actions by the governing bodies of the nations involved. It is instructive that we have this evidence before us because it represents a general feeling of universal unrest throughout the world at large.
The big question is this; Do the governments of the nations affected view these protests as symbols of general political and social revolution against them, or do they view such as isolated incidents only?
World Society is changing and Governments must change with that society else the results will be anarchy with no rule of law visible. Rule will be by the imposition of strength against the very population which only wants a free and peaceful arena within which to operate on a daily basis.
Politicians must always judge their actions by the responses of their societies.
TB
From: United States, Washington
Alas, in the words of Huntington, before he jumped off the deep-end, democracy only safeguards against tyranny. A vast majority of theorists acknowledge that dem. is a first step in realizing a just society, but in and of itself, does not ensure representation, transparency, justice, equity, and a host of other factors that we tend to ascribe to Dem. There are a host of reasons why this is the case, but they boil down to the fact that people don't have an EFFECTIVE VOICE. Participation in the DR, like in most democracies, is passive. People mobilize during elections and then go back to being recipients of laws.Political leaders limit the pol. agenda to a small range of issues that do not challenge the status quo. POLITICAL LEADERS WILL NOT CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO B/C IT BENEFITS THEM. It's up to us to show that the latent force that exists today can be mobilized for political movement that will try to INCLUDE the public. A little voice, goes a long way, b/c leaders want to avoid it
From: United States, Washington
All we need to do is organize, plan a strategy to make noise about the inadequate condition of the decision making process in the DR, and make demands on existing leaders, warning them that if our demands for inclusion are not met, we will mobilize against them and for a social movement that is willing to be transparent, inclusive, pro-environment, pro-education, pro-human-rights, humble, pro-poor, pro-sustainable development, pro-redistribution of resources, pro-social investment, and so on.
The current state of affairs is what it is, but we do not want to stay here, we want to progress. We want to know what our leaders mean by "E' Palante que vamos" or "Empleo" or whatever Aristy Amable is saying now. We want to know what they see as the major problems in our society, how they plan to consult the public in determining the political agenda and coming up solutions to address our socio-pol-econ problems.
WE WANT TO BE HEARD, AND WE WILL NOT BE BOUGHT OUT BY CHICKENS OR METRO!
From: Dominican Republic
As engaging as these discussions are, ask yourself this: Are there similar, parallel discussions taking place in the language of the great majority? If the masses don't have the opportunity to engage, these discussions remain obscure and entertaining and nothing else. The challenge that our country faces is the challenge of engaging the masses who are by and large, ignorant, uneducated and are too busy staying alive to care about the issues that could really change their lives. This forum is a nice pseudo-intellectual exercise and nothing more. Think about the logistics of getting more people involved in these discussions alone and then compare it to what it would take to make some of the changes that we are talking about here by involving the "great unwashed" and you'll get a feel for what it would take to mobilize for change in this country. We don't have enough lifetimes available between us all here.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
I am reminded by historical fact that the political atmosphere in the DR, as well as in many Latin American States, is very similar in it's operative mode to that of France before the French Revolution. TheFrench Aristocracy paid no attention to the plight of the population, did not seek resolutios to the problems being experienced by them, an even went so far as to deny that there were problems to begin with.
This similarity is very obvious to me in that the politicians are turning a blind eye to the abject poverty in which a vast majority of Dominicans live.
What I am deeply concerned with is will the Dominican population one day explode into a massive revolt with the attending slaughter experienced by France during that other time.
Initially the French Army stood before the Crown thwn almost overnight went over to the populace, resulting in the slaughter of many innocents who had nothing to do with the problems at hand.
Pray it doesn't happen here.
TB
From: United States, Washington
We do need more people to become involved. But if we waited for all the pieces to be set, we would never embark on our a journey. Every beginning has a humble start, I don't dare be so arrogant as to say this is the beginning of social change, but I do dare HOPE it is, and that our discussions will entice people to light a fire to get the existing parties to see that there are people watching, discussing, demanding and willing to support a candidate/movement that is willing to go beyond business as usual. We may seem to be trapped by existing parties, but a small number of people can make enough noise to have a major influence on party agenda. One email may = 100 people, 1 phone call = 200, 1 letter = 500; 1 office visit = 1000 people. Imagine a demonstration in front of party HQ's simply demanding they give us their party platform. That will wake them up! FULL COURT PRESS via media, demonstrations, hand-outs to the public, public debates... We will be so noisy they can't ignore us!
From: United States
i think Juansantodomingo does a disservice to the posters who are genuinely concerned by the state of events when he refers to our articles as A NICE PSEUDO-INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE. permit me to be forward enough to assert that there is no pretentiousness in any of these postings; people are genuinely exasperated. the fact that we can articulate our grievances in sentences which are not replete with expletives is the seminal difference between ourselves and the average man, who is also disgusted. the difficulties do appear to be insurmountable. we are up against a three-headed hydra; the government establishment, which includes the forces of intimidation ( police and army) the plutocracy which virtually owns the state, and the church, which has always stood head and shoulders with the olgarchy in opposition to the disadvantaged. it is a mighty hill to climb to dislodge these traditional forces which defy the will of the people. but each journey starts with the first step.
From: Dominican Republic
Sorry if I offended you dreadlocks. No offense intended but I will challenge you and any other poster to tell us what you have done yesterday or today or just recently to begin this journey to bring about the change that we all seem to want. All I said above simply put is that talk is cheap. We may be gathered around the fire chewing the fat but if the masses don't get to share what we seem to be saying then all I can say is "it was fun, now pass the beer nuts." We are all genuinely concerned, dreadlocks but what are we going to do about it?
From: United States
to Juansantodomingo; no need to apologise; i am not that wounded. actually, i know exactly what you are saying, trust me. but as Texas Bill is quick to remind readers, some posters do not have the luxury of being Dominican nationals, so that they jeopardise their welcome by insinuating themselves too intrusively into the body politic. some of us dont even live in the DR, but have our hearts there. so we do the best we can; we ventilate ideas, so that those who can act know that they have moral and intellectual support, and that whatever we can do,within reason,we will!!
From: United Kingdom
Texasbill, Dreadlocks: if the Marquis De La Fayette; for some reason, have followed through, on that line of intuitive reasoning, maybe we wouldn’t have an America today. I remind you of his words in respect to a country he never been to "The moment I heard of America I loved her; the moment I knew she was fighting for freedom I burnt with a desire of bleeding for her; and the moment I shall be able to serve her, at any time, or in any part of the world, will be the happiest of my life." Lack of citizenship is but an excuse not to get your hands dirty.
From: United Kingdom
JuanSantoDominigo, this mundane discussion could give birth to something truly great, if not, inspire the leader that can bring about real change in the DR.The current political philosophy brings inefficiency to new levels with out addressing the real problems. What are the real problems? Lack of transparency ,resource management ,infrastructure, regulation of the business sector ;not to mention a colonial economic system,… ect.. Why is this? Defalcation, within DR sociopolitical apparatus does not allow for change.This continues to be the quandary,
that constraints the DR from achieving any real improvement.
From: United Kingdom
Sadly, Mr. JuanSantoDominigo, for real change to happen its going to have to come from outside the Dr. The(Dominican)Diaspora needs to step up and step in. Now, as for your challenge; Rome wasn’t built in a day and the DR won’t change overnight. So, I guess baby steps are necessary in identifying the strategies; that can be used to achieve small victories that can be used as spring board to something big.
From: United Kingdom
baldoria23, Acting like a special interest group; is just going to get you treated as such, setting the movement apart from the usual self interested advocates, would be smart . Now, creating a toll free number, and offering a reward for viable( in the US the whistleblowers gets a % of the fraud he is helping to prevent) information on corruption activities would get peoples attention(accountability, should be the first step). The information(when substantiated) should then be released into all the media outlets. Tapping into the overseas(Dominicans not infected with the ”for me” mentality and non allied to the usual suspects) talent would be another option.
From: United States
as usual Frank makes some very salient observations; however, even if it is interpreted by him as self interest, pragmatism has to override enthusiasm. those of us who are guests of the nation cannot overstep our bounds, even though we want to help make changes. even some of the people whom our efforts are intended to serve will resent us as interlopers. it is incumbent upon us to serve in whatever ways we can, and if exchanging ideas in this forum is the most practical method, then it is the one we have to elect. i feel confident that our efforts in this forum will make a difference to those looking for intellectual guidance. and yes, there is a heavy burden to be placed on dominicans abroad; they see the way things can be. some people see things the way they are and ask " WHY?". others see the way things can be and ask "WHY NOT?"
From: Dominican Republic
Our only hope is in our children.Teach our children well.Teach them to reject mediocrity.Teach them the value of honesty; that a man's word is his bond; that poverty does not have to equal ignorance or filth ; that self reliance is a virtue and that governments won't solve all the problems. Teach them initiative.Teach them to reject corruption because it is a cancer and cancers kill. Teach them that there is no such thing as a free lunch and that borrowing means that what ever is borrowed must be returned or repaid. I don't believe that our present leaders have the integrity to move us forward. I won't waste time with gangrene.It is already dead. Our young on the other hand deserve much better. Under the circumstances all we can give them are values that will stay with them forever. For me these are the first steps that we can all take to bring about change. Yes Rome was not built in a day but repeating the same mistakes over and again while expecting different outcomes is insanity.
Written by: Batys, 17 Dec 2007 11:44 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Yes Juansantodomingo!!!
We need to teach them all of that...
I like it...Good...!!!
From: United Kingdom
ur right mike!
From: United States
be nice, Frank.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
To Frankthe Tank:
Perhaps you don't understand what the circumstances are with relation to Expats entering into local politics in an active manner.
it isn't that we don't have theintestinal fortitude to participate, other than by voicing our individual thoughts, in the political machinations of the few. It is rather, the employment of a sense of discernment between what could be defined as "fomenting a revolution" and that of merely advertising our opinions about a particular segment of society, as is theright of all residents in this country.
In addition, I truly resent your inference that we are taking a "cowards" way out by not participating physically in the political conflicts represented by all the rhetoric and "name calling, finger-pointing" that is the hallmark of the political scene being expressed daily by the various candidates for the highest public office in the DR. Perhaps you'll notice that the rank and file of the parties don't eitther.
TB
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
And Frank, disagreement is everyone's right to express.
just don't rely on personal attacks to make your points.
As my Frandmother had a habit of saying. "It ain't a bit cute nor smart".
TB
From: United Kingdom
Wow Wow Wow! TB, It was just an observation,people like you and Mike, have more experience than the common poster, and would be vital human capital as the Marquis was to revolutionary effort. TB,I wasn’t calling out anybody, I was attacking the corollary, that because your not a natural born national; you should not get involved in the in the politics of your adopted nation. Under that premise;I would not have joined the army after college and not gotten to see the world(and drive a tank), and fight for the good of my adopted country. Even though my adopted nation has given me much,I will always consider myself to be Dominican. With all my experiences; I’m still a relatively young man, people however respect seniority(as well they should)and judging by some of your post, you and Mike have a firm grasp on the problems the Dr is facing.
From: United Kingdom
P.S Texasbill, if you just vacation in the DR, then I’m sorry! I assumed otherwise. Your right! people would have an opposition, to a tourist trying to run for office.
From: United Kingdom
Now, the coldness my posting, was in no way meant as an attack towards anybody(that’s the problem with the internet, you can’t look a person in the face and get true sense of they’re saying). TB,Things might not change tomorrow, or next month, or even next year or in five years(things might never change), HOPEFULLY they’ll change one day. Fomenting a revolution? No, I’m just tired of a new scandal every other week aren't you. With all due respect, I have never made the assumption that anybody should go out and run for office, point fingers, or any of the usual drudgery that is the Dominican electoral process’s. If there’s one thing; I’ve learned in my military service, is that littlest of things matter.
TB, do you agree with JuansantoDomingo? In that the DR is to far gone; if so, then he is right, and this forum is just a waste of time.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Frank;
I have lived i the DR since arriving here in June, 2000 in the midst of the "gone crazy" elections.
I married a beautiful and wonderful Dominican LADY with 3 boys whom I have adopted.
I am also aretired USAF Captain with 27.5 years of service, reatiring in 1970. That may give you a bit of insight as to my feelings about corruption and lack of responsibility on the part of Dominican Politicians, per se. not that those in the USA are very much better, but at least we have plenty of watch-dogs to keep them relatively in line. They just need to go home every 3 months and take the pulse of their costituency to stay on an even keel and know what is going on in the minds of the people 'back home".
I've even written a few articles about the way things are f---ed up here (probably no one pays much attention to them, bu I try anyway) andwhat some of the solutios COULD be. We were almost dirt poor in my growing up years, so I've been there, done that.
Enough.
TB
From: United States
to Frank; i wish i was born here so i could enter the fray without reservation. if i was a dominican national, these charlatans would probably have run me off by now, because i sure as hell would not have stood still for this nonsense which passes for governance. i would raise money from wherever i could, so i could take out full page ads in the newspapers, either exposing their nonsensicality, or challenging them to respond to my critiques and questions. they would think they were being attacked by a brace of pitbulls. sadly, this is only an empty wish; my status saves them from me!
From: United Kingdom
Mr. Drelocks; if you care about the Dr, as I do, I strongly suggest that you, and or others like you, become Dominican citizens. Some people might classify such an exercise as purely cosmetic and irrelevant, but I see it; as the DR gaining valuable human resource, and one less voter to convince. As for the grunt work; there’s a lot of up and coming talent, that will hopefully, not be romanced by the current poison, that is DRs political establishment.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
Frank;
As much as I would favor becoming a Dominican Citizen, it wouldbe impossible for me to do so. Such a move on my part would result in forfiture of my USAF Retirement, which took me 27.5 years to qualify for, abrogation/forfiture of my US Citizenship ( The USA doesn't recognize DUAL Citizenship for it's Citizens) and denial of who I am and all my background.
Such a move on my part would be to deny everything I hold dear and that I will NOT do.
The acitions of the Marquis de Lafayette and the German Baron (forgot his name) who assumed the training of the Colonial Forces during theAmerican Revolutionary War were commendable to say the least. However, the present US Government would not approve of such actions on the part of one of their citizens. That, coupled with the probability of almost immediate deportation restrains me from actions other than the ones I have thus far taken and will continue in the future.
What do Full Page Ads Cost? Would they be accepted?
TB
From: United States
a belated Merry Christmas to all; and to Frank, i assure you that i will apply for citizenship as soon as i qualify; i believe i have something to contribute to the discourse, and will do so even if the powers that be do not listen. every journey starts with the first step. Happy New Year, all, and thanks for great insights; lets keep this thing going for those who seek enlightenment
From: Dominican Republic
To Dreadlocks about his recommendation of Dec 12, 2007. I checked out both articles, the one on Clientelism was fine, however; the one about the "Idiots" was all phony. Vargas LLosa's statement that the "people" of Nicaragua voted the Sandinistas out and that the U.S.A. had nothing to do with that, is absolutely false. It was like saying that the "people" of D.R. voted for Balaguer in 1961 and that the U.S.A. had nothing to do with it. What were the 42,000 Marines there for?
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I must agree with you on many of your points outlined above.
I do have one additional thought to put forth for general mastication by thereading public.
Here goes:
The Dominican Republic, while asserting that it is a Democracy (that is defined as Representative Governent Officials elected by the population), that definition really doesn't hold up under close scrutiny.
The DR can be likened to a "feudal state" existing under a false mask. Only the names of the constituencies of government are changed to fit current popular belief.
The legislators and other high gov't. officials take on the role model of the Barons of medeval times and the heads of the various minesteries occupy the position of the King's Privy Councel. This system has served as a functional model for the various DR Governments since being put in place during the time of Columbus and hasn't changed appreciably since.
Your comments???
On another note: I’m truly surprised that both of Mr. Gonzales brilliant editorials, haven’t been more thoroughly debated. Both articles deserve, to be discussed in detail or does he need to put up a Sonia Pierre quote to get people talking again lol.
1) go to google
2) google; CLIENTELISM IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
3) look for the article entitled CONCEPT PAPER-DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. it is a world bank article
then google; THE PERFECT LATIN AMERICAN IDIOT
look for FOREIGN POLICY; THE RETURN OF THE IDIOT. these are wonderful articles i recommended in another post
-e. g
Maybe I'll go ahead and do that, to see what if anything I find. I'll report back in a future article...
If anyone wants to help strategize, send me an email and we can work together on this initiative. We can discover what the party positions are, or that they are reluctant to share information. Either way, the results will be interesting.
my email: gonze459@newschool.edu
Unlike Alexasder Hmilton, I don't think that there isan ELITE whose education and political background empower them, solely, to Govern the masses of a national population.
Getting the various Political Parties in the DR to respond to enquiries of their stance (platform) on political, economic and social programs would be an effort in futility.
Continuing with the above line of thought (I think), I would support any and all efforts to bring about a TRUELY Democratic Government in the DR.
I don't hold with Alexander Hamilton and his ideas that only the select few are equipped to govern.
The system in place in the USA has been a shining example of the opposite philoophy for over 200 years. It is a good model, although at times has been briefly adulterated by some parties at the local and state levels. A case in point is theTamany Hall timeframe previously mentioned.
I wil offer my limited expertise to whatever limits it can be used. Bear in mind that I am ONLY a Permanent Resident, not a Citizen of the DR. My vested interest is embodied in my family and toward that end I will work with whomever fosters LEGITIMATE changes to the present way of government and society.
TB
Democracies today aare infinitely more like the Roman system under the original Roman Senate until that too became audulterated by various political activists who changed the system to fit their collective ideas of governing.
As long as we have intellectual exploratio of political science, we will have individual inputs from those who think they have a better "mouse trap" for governing.
The ideas of Karl Marx notwithstanding. He had some good ideas, but in the final analysis, he did not take into consideration the ambition of the individual and his inherent drive for a better life-situation. Because of that and the will to be free of incumberences, the system failed.
Just a thumbnail sketch not worth much.
TB
Throughout the History of the world, there has been various experiments in Government. In each cse the failure of these exeiments lay not in the philosophy of thesystems but in the failure of those charged with the management of those systems.
The failure of leaders to marry economic systems with governing systems has caused a constant turmoil for which there is no single solution. Thus we are constantly faced with the conundrum of satisfying the populace as well as the requirements of the governing bodies to achieve a balance which will result in the equitable distribution the factors of production and their distributive shares relative to the contributions of both brain power and muscle power within the social arena.
Once power has been gained by one element, it becomesvirtually impossible to dislodge that element from that position without a violent upheaval whether by physicaly or electoral means.
The big question is this; Do the governments of the nations affected view these protests as symbols of general political and social revolution against them, or do they view such as isolated incidents only?
World Society is changing and Governments must change with that society else the results will be anarchy with no rule of law visible. Rule will be by the imposition of strength against the very population which only wants a free and peaceful arena within which to operate on a daily basis.
Politicians must always judge their actions by the responses of their societies.
TB
The current state of affairs is what it is, but we do not want to stay here, we want to progress. We want to know what our leaders mean by "E' Palante que vamos" or "Empleo" or whatever Aristy Amable is saying now. We want to know what they see as the major problems in our society, how they plan to consult the public in determining the political agenda and coming up solutions to address our socio-pol-econ problems.
WE WANT TO BE HEARD, AND WE WILL NOT BE BOUGHT OUT BY CHICKENS OR METRO!
This similarity is very obvious to me in that the politicians are turning a blind eye to the abject poverty in which a vast majority of Dominicans live.
What I am deeply concerned with is will the Dominican population one day explode into a massive revolt with the attending slaughter experienced by France during that other time.
Initially the French Army stood before the Crown thwn almost overnight went over to the populace, resulting in the slaughter of many innocents who had nothing to do with the problems at hand.
Pray it doesn't happen here.
TB
that constraints the DR from achieving any real improvement.
We need to teach them all of that...
I like it...Good...!!!
Perhaps you don't understand what the circumstances are with relation to Expats entering into local politics in an active manner.
it isn't that we don't have theintestinal fortitude to participate, other than by voicing our individual thoughts, in the political machinations of the few. It is rather, the employment of a sense of discernment between what could be defined as "fomenting a revolution" and that of merely advertising our opinions about a particular segment of society, as is theright of all residents in this country.
In addition, I truly resent your inference that we are taking a "cowards" way out by not participating physically in the political conflicts represented by all the rhetoric and "name calling, finger-pointing" that is the hallmark of the political scene being expressed daily by the various candidates for the highest public office in the DR. Perhaps you'll notice that the rank and file of the parties don't eitther.
TB
just don't rely on personal attacks to make your points.
As my Frandmother had a habit of saying. "It ain't a bit cute nor smart".
TB
TB, do you agree with JuansantoDomingo? In that the DR is to far gone; if so, then he is right, and this forum is just a waste of time.
I have lived i the DR since arriving here in June, 2000 in the midst of the "gone crazy" elections.
I married a beautiful and wonderful Dominican LADY with 3 boys whom I have adopted.
I am also aretired USAF Captain with 27.5 years of service, reatiring in 1970. That may give you a bit of insight as to my feelings about corruption and lack of responsibility on the part of Dominican Politicians, per se. not that those in the USA are very much better, but at least we have plenty of watch-dogs to keep them relatively in line. They just need to go home every 3 months and take the pulse of their costituency to stay on an even keel and know what is going on in the minds of the people 'back home".
I've even written a few articles about the way things are f---ed up here (probably no one pays much attention to them, bu I try anyway) andwhat some of the solutios COULD be. We were almost dirt poor in my growing up years, so I've been there, done that.
Enough.
TB
As much as I would favor becoming a Dominican Citizen, it wouldbe impossible for me to do so. Such a move on my part would result in forfiture of my USAF Retirement, which took me 27.5 years to qualify for, abrogation/forfiture of my US Citizenship ( The USA doesn't recognize DUAL Citizenship for it's Citizens) and denial of who I am and all my background.
Such a move on my part would be to deny everything I hold dear and that I will NOT do.
The acitions of the Marquis de Lafayette and the German Baron (forgot his name) who assumed the training of the Colonial Forces during theAmerican Revolutionary War were commendable to say the least. However, the present US Government would not approve of such actions on the part of one of their citizens. That, coupled with the probability of almost immediate deportation restrains me from actions other than the ones I have thus far taken and will continue in the future.
What do Full Page Ads Cost? Would they be accepted?
TB