I just got back from a trip to Paris, where I spent a week meeting scholars about a research project I am conducting on Migration and Political Transnationalism. But mostly, the trip was an excuse to tour around this majestic city. I walked and enjoyed all the public amenities that Paris and cities like it have to offer. Despite this not being my first time in Paris, I found myself amazed at the importance politicians give to the public sphere.
The Parisian and French governments have invested a considerable amount of resources in the public sphere. What do I mean by the public sphere? I mean things open and available to the public: parks, public transportation, public bicycles, bookstores open to the public, theaters not behind gates, and a feeling of public safety and infrastructure; things Santo Domingo has yet to achieve.
For example, besides the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo and the miradores parks, where else are there open parks where our kids can play or couples go for a walk? Or people meet to play chess or dominos? Or bookstores where one can come across some volume of social commentary? Santo Domingo has a decaying public sphere, and the little public sphere that exists is oriented to tourists.
While enjoying Paris, it hit me. Why is Santo Domingo not as pleasant as Paris? Is it because we are a poor country? Well, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Havana, our own La Vega, and several other cities in Latin America have many pleasant public spheres – not at the level of Paris or New York, but that’s expected. The lack of national wealth may be a factor, but not a prohibitive factor to investing in the public sphere. What could it be?
I propose that it is the lack of political leadership in our society and our focus on the private life that has prevented investment in the public sphere. People are taught to focus too much on the “self” and not on “the public” and politicians are all too eager to avoid any issue that brings up the poor state of our public sphere in Santo Domingo. Again, the Colonial Zone is an exception. Why? Because resources have been mobilized to invest in maintaining the public sphere of this zone.
Yes, foreign monies help maintain the Colonial Zone, but before the foreign money could come to help the Colonial Zone, the government had to seek such help. Why not mobilize resources to invest in Herrera or Los Mina?
The gargantuan resources dedicated to the Metro can be seen as a significant investment in the public sphere, but the poor transparency and lack of accountability of the process raises many questions, such as whether this investment is for the public, or for the continued accumulation of resources among elites.
Another reason why our public sphere is in such state of disarray is that our society has been oriented to satisfy external needs and the needs of the elites since 1492. There is no political movement aiming to create a middle class or an internal market. We focus on supplying cheap exports and labor to developed countries, and providing foreign tourists with the best of the best of our natural resources. No movement exists to invest in developing internal markets and the purchasing power of a middle class. No efforts exist to redistribute the wealth hoarded by a few families since the conquest. No effort exists to stop the vicious circle that maintains most of the public in misery and distracted from the corruption of the state.
We need political leaders who will step away from the distribution of resources to selected groups/individuals and start investing in the public sphere. For better or worse, we have Amable giving out chickens to the poor, and we have Leonel giving out billions to a small number of rich people. Our candidates and political leaders will have to move away from politics as usual (political clientelism) and propose a political platform that outlines a list of policy issues, among which, I hope will be effective investment in the public sphere – schools, parks, roads, public transport, cultural venues available to the public, etc. Investing in the public sphere will help develop strong internal markets and a powerful middle class.
This is a chicken and egg problem - what comes first, political leaders who push ideas like these through, or a social movement that creates leaders that that will replace the ineffective ones we have?
This is when civil society organizations - like Participacion Ciudadana, the Church, students organizations, labor unions, and Human Rights NGOs - should step up and demand political leaders who will provide a platform that centers on the public, not on personal or party interests, or lead the creation of social movement that will create the leaders that will help develop our society. Until the public wakes up, the political parties, which benefit from the public’s docile participation, will continue with politics as usual, and Santo Domingo will never become La Vega, let alone Paris or New York.
Edward D. Gonzalez-Acosta
PhD Program Department of Politics
The New School for Social Research
gonze459@newschool.edu
NY Mobile - (917) 674-1019
DR Mobile - (829) 426-5745
Skype - Baldoria23
"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: Santiago, Santiago
This articulation of the NEEDS of the Dominican Republic in Education, Economic and Social Progress is the BEST I have EVER read.
Sr. Gonzalez-Acosta has said it all.
I find it a shame that the other (Spanish) periodicals don't publish this for the Spanish speaking population here.
The more this gets coverage, the more people will perhaps think in terms of change in our Society.
The Middle Class in any society is the supporting element of that society.
From: USA
Sr Gonzalez congratulation for such a truthfull coment of what the Dominican need you could not said it better thank you
Written by: TUAN, 5 Dec 2007 8:15 AM
From: pop
On the money and good observations.
Since I lived in Europe many years inclucing five years in Paris, allow me to comment:
You are describing cultural differences between northern and southern Europe which are anchored in epistemological, especially mid-France versus the Iberian peninsula (Goth/Roma;n vs. Moor). Government can't change it, but the same epistemological shifts that the centuries brought us to this will. That's globalization, free trade and fee movement of peoples.
Written by: mike l , 5 Dec 2007 10:01 AM
From: pop
congrats on a wonderfully expounded set of ideas Ed! hopefully you will continue to give us the benefit of your mindset by submitting more articles. i am also intrigued by the insights of Tuan, attributing the difference in france and the dr to epistemological roots. the goth vs moor postulate does have something to do with it, but i am not sure it can be ventilated in terms of epistemology. you are free to disagree if you must, but i see the goth vs moor derivatives more from a point of culture
Written by: mike l , 5 Dec 2007 10:06 AM
From: pop
contd,
rather than knowledge base. certain societies have a more collective spirit, and that helps them to progress. korea in the 1950s was a bomb crater, but look at it today! the entire population came together with a common goal; to uplift korea, not themselves. singapore today is one of the most advanced societies in the world, because of public will to excel. they do not tolerate antisocial behavior of any kind which will retard the collective enjoyment of the fruits of the civilisation.
Written by: mike l , 5 Dec 2007 10:09 AM
From: pop
that traditional eastern model is different from the ibero- moorish process of self aggrandisement by scorched earth policies. grab as much as you can, as fast as you can. every man for himself.dog eat dog! i am not for a moment disagreeing with Tuan, just looking for the answer elsewhere.
From: cabrea, m.t.s.
Great comments. I'll respond collectively, particularly the cultural one, with another article.
This is an opportunity for me to learn from you about the traction of these theoretical ideas that I have been wrestling with for a while.
Keep the comments, questions, and challenges coming. We have a chance to start a movement that can perhaps inspire people to look at things differently.
From: everywhere
Congratulations on a will written article that dares to challenge the "para mi" mentality in the DRi. Well I think you've answered your own questions and have a sound idea why santo domingo lags behind many south american countries. I think Paris is too beyond sto dgo's reach to even make the comparison. Paris alone is a mecca for socialites to express their ideas & opinions. Another thing that you didn't mention is the people. The no me importa attitude of the mass & the elite disdain
Written by: mike l, 5 Dec 2007 1:12 PM
From: pop
JABAO, you wear me out! every time you start making a great ,insightful point, as soon as our attention becomes riveted you stop abruptly as if you had to make a beeline for the bathroom. so we sit here, gasping for air and waiting for the punchline. for heavens sake dude, finish the thought so we can leave mentally satisfied. i hope your girlfriend isnt saying the same thing!( just a joke; no need to take out a contract on my life)
Written by: Darold, 5 Dec 2007 3:09 PM
From: Massachusetts
Honestly, this is one of the best articles I've read so far. Great job Mr. Acosta.
From: everywhere
Mike, LOL, I love your sense of humour. I apologise 4 keeping the audience in suspense sometimes deliberately & other times unintentionally. I have to go as we speak:( When the progressive dominicans break the mold of secluded social events & create educative ferias the mass will eventually become interested since they blindly mimick whatever the elite group does. Social responsability falls on the shoulder of whom? 1st literacy programs need to be implemented to aliment the minds of many.
From: Richmond, VA
Congratulations for publishing this article from such a neutral point. You don’t point fingers at anyone looking for a fault; you just exposed a genuine topic that should concern us all. I wonder though, how much of this is actually the fault of the Dominican public? How much or how many thing DO’NT happen because the people conform and settle to what it’s given? Why aren’t the people trying to elect a leader who will help improve their quality of life versus electing for fanatism.
From: Germany
Great article! I think the main problem is the mentality of the Dominicans and the "I don't care" attitude of the ones who could really do something. If nobody asks for public places, nobody will do anything about it. They don't see the need of it. And honestly, I lived 27 of my 35 years in DomRep and I really didn't notice the need for public places, because I didn't know better. I used to go to places where I paid to get in. I hope the actual generation and the growing one would do somethi
Written by: mike l, 6 Dec 2007 10:26 AM
From: pop
Jabao, you are a pretty witty guy yourself, but, thankfully, your postings are always well thought out. i am glad you took my post in good spirits; now i can walk to the colmado without looking behind!
Written by: mike l , 6 Dec 2007 10:35 AM
From: pop
to Yanaidy; Ed Gonzales-Acosta does not waste his time pointing fingers; he is an accomplished intellectual who seems to adumbrate the problems and asks the reader to look for the answers themselves. its his style; he wants people to take their brains for a walk. if he spoon-fed us the problems and his solutions, we would all lapse into a slothful state of intellectual inertia, which runs counter to his intent.
From: everywhere
Mike, fyi, what kind of individual are you buying at colmado. Buena gente go to the supermercados. This ain't the USA.Jajaja. BTW, I like reading your comments as well. Someone made a comment about not knowing because she was still conformed to that genre of lifestyle. Now what do we say of those that travel to 1st world countries and enjoy these public events afar & return home to their secluded lifestyle? Hmmm??
Written by: mike l, 6 Dec 2007 3:25 PM
From: pop
Jabao, i am just a poor working stiff. besides, the girls at this particular colmado are very easy on the eye! as to those who return without sharing the benefits of their exposure, you and i know why. they want to perpetuate the policy of exclusion. in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king!
From: everywhere
Mike, if you think colmado chicks are easy on the eye you need change your hangouts because I'm sure your intellectual conversations are way over their heads. Hey they all serve the same purpose when the lights are off..jajaj. A little serious, exclusion is the way of life in latin america. It wasn't until I stayed here 4 good that I learned how to mingle in different social realms but go home to exclusion again. It's hard to kick bad habits..I confess.. things are changing with time.
From: everywhere
Mike Im sure your hard earn money that you send via western union is keeping her happy and the cousin that 4 some reason lives with her too and the kids. No wonder you work so hard.:).the new form of welfare in latin america is to get a gringo with greenbacks in 1st world countries.. I hope you don't send the cowboy bush after me..jajjaj..have a great weekend dude..
From: Florida
Very interesting! Mr. Acosta, let me congratulate you on a brilliant editorial; I would have expected nothing less. While I sometimes don‘t agree with your assessments and raison d'être (sorry if is not in context, French skills are terrible, no practice), I can honestly say, they always make me think. Now, I agree, Santo Domingo has an incredible amount of untapped potential; since the government officials
are to busy defrauding the state,
From: Florida
to worry about urban planning, “green zones” or safety and basic services .My Question would be: Why don’t Dominican people seem to possess the capacity to hold its politicians accountable? All the politicians do, is wag a carrot(the metro) in front of the populace, and they can get away with anything. The bourgeoning middle class( or lack there of ) is becoming financial dependent on political patronage and corruption to survive;
From: Florida
; How can we turn things around? Education! a substantial government increase in government spending on Education, that’s the first battle that needs to be won, if the DR is to see any improvement in the near future. I, thanks to gods good grace ,have had the chance to visit all 4 alpha cities(New York city, Tokyo , London and Paris) and can say that SD is light years from even being close to comparison.,
From: everywhere
Mike, I hope you are taking my jokes as mere fun and in good humour..not trying to offend you in any way of form. I assume you give so you can take a joke as well. I am waiting for mr. acosta to respond to us. His feedback would be appreciative..bye..
From: Richmond, VA
To Mike, I I understand the purpose of the article... I was simply wondering where the comformity of the people played into this situation.Edward spoke of the lack of a public atmosphese in a non-tourist environment, I simple wondered why the people have not demanded them thus far. Like SpiderWoman said... She lived there for 25 years and never even thought of them.
Written by: josean, 8 Dec 2007 11:38 AM
From: usa
Mr. Acosta outstanding points as usual. Maybe in the future you can point out the effect of the Catholic Church on maintaining the Dominican people in a colonial subservient state.
Written by: mike l, 8 Dec 2007 1:42 PM
From: pop-
Jabao, you need help mentally, you crazy guy! no sir, i do not give money to girls who tell me that their mothers, kids, Tio Pepe and the burro are sick! and i dont give for the prescription that was filled 15 times already by 13 different gringos. and i dont believe that she always arrives on the same motoconcho because he is the only driver she trusts in the entire country. and i dont send western union money, because 18 other guys are already doing that for me. i have it figured out. i am
Written by: mike l, 8 Dec 2007 1:47 PM
From: pop
not one of those 65 year old gringos who feel all puffed up when some 18 year old girl tells them ME LOVE YOU LONG TIME! i am a realist, brother, and i work hard for mine. i am not giving my hard earned bread to some girl so she can turn it over to some lazy-ass chulo to put gas in the passola, which, incidentally, was probably bought by another gringo. you and i should join forces and write a book!
Written by: mike l, 8 Dec 2007 1:50 PM
From: pop
Jabao, we have just succeeded in making a mockery of what started out as a brilliant article . we should apologise to Mr Gonzalez Acosta for our folly. but sometimes we need to make light of things, or we will always be crying.
Written by: mike l , 9 Dec 2007 9:41 AM
From: pop
but seiously, Jabao, that statement about the new welfare in latin america is a very powerful observation. social scientists should be investigating the economic and cultural dynamics of this phenomenon, to ascertain what proportion of REMITTANCES take the form of western union transfers from gringo novios to their dominican novias. i went into a western union branch in sosua once, and it was standing room only! all the recipients were young girls, and the chulos were lined up outside on the
Written by: mike l, 9 Dec 2007 9:46 AM
From: pop
yamaha 100s and the passolas. it was a rowdy and festive affair, a source of humor and entertainment to all. these poor gringos dont know how silly they appear, but at least they contribute to the economy. now each girl can go to the salon and but one more motorola razor cellphone. she might not have any minutes in it, and might ask to borrow yours, which cost you 1000 pesos ( hers cost 12,000), but at least the GNP is enhanced!
From: United Kingdom
Wow! how did this conversation get all the way here(This is from the Artist formerly know as Frank Aquino...lol).
From: United States
quite frankly, Frank, i have no idea myself, but i accept part of the blame. pin the rest on jabao.it started out harmlessly, and went downhill. i already apologised to Mr Gonzales Acosta. ( this is from the one you knew as Mike l)
Written by: Cacique, 10 Dec 2007 12:59 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Mr. G-A gives us a lot to ponder...
Written by: Fizmal, 11 Dec 2007 2:07 AM
From: United States
Great editorial and congratulation to the writer. In my opinion the elite society will distance themselves more from the poor and the government will continue catering to their needs.
Therefore, the public sphere will only be a dream for those people who experienced once in another country.
From: Dominican Republic
I am just a normal guy with a basic education, but an eye for the obvious. It took me 3 years of being here, but eventually a Dominican woman won my heart. I too was amused at everyone carrying a Rzor phone...but of course...no time on it, thus...aside from the "one beer for me" request...i also got the " I use your phone....only one call por favor" request.
I met carmen on a bus...I had lost my keys at the airport in Santo Domingo. The bus was...as usual...packed beyond full and she sat beside me. Long story short....she is educated, owns her own home, is respected in her Bario by young and old alike....but can only find jobs that want to pay her $8000 pesos a month...this for a lady holding an honours degree in Pharmacy.
Unless you are well connected to the "system". there is little chance of the average Dominican moving ahead. Sad but true...which leads to the " why even try" attitude.
From: United States
to PuntaCana Mike, you note in your posting that carmen has an honours degree, but cannot find a job which pays a decent living wage. contrast that with the burgeoning number of mental defectives who hold high offices, and you will understand why the country will remain a third world outpost until things take a radical turn. one of the main problems with latin america is that the old spanish mentality held the belief that wealth, like matter, could neither be created nor destroyed; all the wealth in the world was always there and will always be there. the only question was how to distribute it. this is why spain went on rapacious colonial campaigns, to steal as much from everybody else as it could, and ,in mercantilist vein, take the riches home to spain. other countries also had colonies, but considered modernising production to increase wealth. so when england, the united states, germany and france were in a state of industrial revolution, spain was still agrarian.
From: United States
spain subscribed to the theory of a zero sum game; the more you have, the less i have, because wealth is finite. i am rich because you are poor, or vice versa,but conditions are always somebody elses fault. that is why in this country certain traits are in evidence 1) nobody accepts blame for anything, because it is always somebody elses fault. 2) the car behind you will take the most hair-raising risk to overtake you in the most inopportune place, then stop ten yards down the road; he sees the use of the road as a finite thing. if you are in front of him, you might use it all,and there will be none left for him. he has to assure his share by being ahead of you. the same applies to lines in the supermarket. it is distribution that counts, not creation. that is why prior to the advent of marxist thinkers such as che and fidel castro, the old guard wanted everything for the rich. the marxists wanted a redistribution ,with everything for the poor. nobody ever thought of increasing wealth
From: United States
Well, it is with little things that everything starts. This very true comments are the base of what is lived in the Dominican Republic every day. In general the population lives under the concept of what can I do today for me... attitude . They do not see very far ahead as they know,a new term for a new president can put them again in the same place or worst that the last president in power which was a historical disaster.
What the Dominican Republic needs is what most countries including the United States require. Accountability... This will get us structure and good intentioned officials that in fact have the interest of the citizen in good faith. Politicians and public officials must have the true vocation of serving the public. That is not the case in most governments today...
From: United States
one of the comments made most often by expartiates about life in the DR is the lack on the part of people to plan ahead of today; i must confess that i am guilty on occasion, of saying quite the same thing. in my reasoning , i attribute it to paternalism. in paternal governments, the leaders take care of the wants of the people, but they do not delegate any responsibility nor authority to them, neither do they want their opinions. this country has been governed by dictators in the past, and currently by a patriarch. Leonel is akin to Prince Nicholas of Montenegro; a well educated man, an aficionado of the arts and poerty, and an admirer of modern, western culture. many Dominicans love him simply because he is the antithesis of Hipolito, who is a man of not too agile an intellect. the politicians of all stripes reinforce this paternalism by handouts of staple foods at election time, but will not engage the public in any academic inquiry. the common man sees his life being lived in a
From: United States
world in which he has no dominion over his life, one in which all his decisions are made for him by the great father. in such a scenario, long term planning is redundant. also, we hear that the dominican only cares about himself and no-one else. well, if you live in a society in which you are not called upon to make a positive contribution, but just to follow orders and wait for your handout from the politicos, then i guess you dont become too civic minded and inclined to better the collective well-being. because the collective well-being falls under the proper purview of the President, and no one else!
Written by: willmo, 16 Dec 2007 1:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic
So... Why should be proud to be a Dominican? Most of what we do, in terms of solving our problems as a society, lacks intelectual, integrity , and even moral capabilities. Go saves us !!!.
From: United States, NJ
Mr Ed Gonzalez-Acosta:
I do agree with everything you wrote about and think nothing is going to change DOMINICANS
It took this country 500 yrs in the making plus all the bad Euro-blood inherited from the Arabs that were known for bad gvt practice in general and as administrators up to the present. From 711-1482 when the Spaniards were able to drive them out for religious reasons and those that came
back from LEPANTO ,TURKEY were the same that colonized present ibero-America battle vets(conquistadores) corrupted officials and soldiers. So you see it is more of utopia Latin America.
If you start looking at our Latin ancestors this far back you will see non of them escaped corruption
From Portugal,Spain,France,Italy,Rumania all fell under the Turkish Empire in So.Mediterranian
basin. Diferent from the North american settlers, though monarch ruled, just like Portugal ,Spain. were more organized,further observation noticed all UK ex-colonies are ruled by prime ministers
except US.
From: United States, NJ
To dreadlocks,Ref to Dec16 12:29 posters
I am in full agreement on your posters. I can also see thru you that you know your people and also
know what they lack. This is all due to Trujillo's era where every thing became centralized and still is.Nothing has changed since i left in 1952. The provincial gvts are figure heads,and get the left
over from the central gvt.if there is any left over. The municipalities are abandoned in every sence of governmental functions. The national police are there to so call patrol the capital (ND)by adding 15,000 more useless cops to collect (botellas).
All the thinking is done for them and it is not dificult for them to become welfare recipients upon arrival at the USA, when back home it was not diferent eccept for sect 8 and a bi-week check.
As to B.H.A. article on 12/4/07 2:48pm ,It is not to the gvt's best interest to publish Ed's article in the local (SPANISH) periodicals for Spanish speaking population, since this will inform & educate them.
From: United States
Merry Christmas, Mr Rancier, and to all you posters out there. i cannot add anything to what you have said,sir. i have stated enough times that we have not progressed institutionally since the 1950s, and at least i have one person who agrees with me.
From: United States
As I have traveled to most of South-Central America and Caribbean I have to say that is pretty much the same picture in most countries in the region. Undeveloped, lack of continuation of infrastructure, scandal driven governments and a the citizens flooded with bureaucracy and red tape.
Is sad to say as I have only learned to justify this unbalance with fate... Me included, our region from history has been shown to mostly survive... I wonder everyday I spend in a land I love (Dom. Rep.) how can the people survive! Low wages, I am amazed on how the civilians older than 30 are discriminated mostly due to age and normal aged appearance. Is phenomenal that the they can take their daily life frustrations on Merengue and Bachata.
The only country in Latin America and Caribbean I have not had the pleasure of visiting is Brazil and on the other hand one that truly impressed me was Argentina. They have phenomenal parks and places for the people to enjoy! But look at the European influe
Written by: lcabrera, 26 Dec 2007 9:27 PM
From: United States
Wow, very good article!!! I won't comment anything because I am so f’#/3ing disgusted by our political system that I am already tired of talking about it. Like Martin Luther King said, “I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED”
From: United States
to Riverasanchez; i have not yet been to barbados, but by all indices it seems to be a country which has done a heck of a lot with very little. if you have been there, i would appreciate your opinions. thank you
Written by: willmo, 2 Jan 2008 5:53 PM
From: Dominican Republic
After all, Trujillo wasn't that bad!!. He left a rich country , with plenty natural resources and a potential for a good educational system; and take a look at the country 46 years later, how this little republic has looted by a few powerful families!!! I wonder sometimes, Who has been worst for the country?
From: United States
actually Willmo, you are correct when you say that the country was looted by a few rich families,after Trujillo. during the reign of Trujillo, he did not allow looting by anyone; he did all the looting himself. after all, he owned more than a half of all the productive capacity in the country, and ,at one stage, was among the 10 richest men in the world.
Written by: , 4 Jan 2008 1:33 PM
From:
Dreadlocks and Willmo,
Yes, there are exceptions... Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Grand Cayman are out of the ordinary situations that have one very important factor... finding a niche and exploiting that market sector. Barbados has found several niches... One being Tourism - Different from Dom. Rep. They have very good customer service and true hospitality. Have you see the taxes the Dominican Republic charges tourist and visitors? Is more than outrageous sad! Road are shitty!, Facilities are not per US spec. When you visit V Centenario most of the elevators did not work and to go up and down was almost like driving from el Malecon to Acropolis at 5 pm!!! A total mess!
The best acceptable roads are those leading to Romana!!! What a coincidence!
From: United States
Dreadlocks and Willmo,
Yes, there are exceptions... Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Grand Cayman are out of the ordinary situations that have one very important factor... finding a niche and exploiting that market sector. Barbados has found several niches... One being Tourism - Different from Dom. Rep. They have very good customer service and true hospitality. Have you see the taxes the Dominican Republic charges tourist and visitors? Is more than outrageous sad! Road are shitty!, Facilities are not per US spec. When you visit V Centenario most of the elevators did not work and to go up and down was almost like driving from el Malecon to Acropolis at 5 pm!!! A total mess!
The best acceptable roads are those leading to Romana!!! What a coincidence!
From: United States
I saw a lot of need there... You never see these government appointed officials with their Gucci sunglasses going to this places to feel the need. Mostly older people with no social backing to help them.
What the Dom. Rep. needs is a government with 'balls'. They have not had it since Trujillo. But there is hope, with the voice and lots of International Press!!! The government hates that, as the world gets to know what they do with all the money they get!
Lots of press!!!!! As when the excrement hits the fan, then everybody start blaming the other and as all predators do they start cleaning out each other and we may feel the relief and start getting some responsible officials that care for the people.
There is lots of talent and possibilities, but we need a responsible and accountable government.
From: United States
The other niche Barbados has found is the quality of their brown sugar! Probably the best in the world today that is known of! Trinidad has OIL! So they are spending the money in infrastructure and are a much smaller dot in the Caribbean as is a very small island. Grand Cayman is an amazing example of good infrastructure; well there is lots of money! There!
When the subject of Trujillo comes up is sad when you focus on the bad things that happened in his presidency. But what he did is precisely what we lack today in Dominican Republic. Law and order! Is a total disaster were a small percentage of the population do very well and the rest eat @*#&^*@.
I spend from the 28th of Dec. to the 3rd of January in Dom. Rep. I had the opportunity to help a volunteer group in a small town NE of the capital to read Prescription Drugs that were in English and they could not read English so some of the much needed medicine was going to be discarded if they expired.
From: United States
thanks for your reply, Riverasanchez. my understanding is that barbados has excellent customer service all over, a highly educated, well functioning service industry, and creative offerings in the tourism sector. i hear similar things about the cayman islands, which, though relatively expensive, manage to attract large numbers of visitors willing to spend big bucks. i guess you get what you pay for. the little i see of tourism here seems to be static and lacking in creativity. but we have become complacent because every day some foreign consortium buys up large tracts of beachfront property to make a playground for the rich and famous. the optimists among us refer to that as INVESTMENT!! when Donald Trump and Arnie Palmer and a bunch of obscenely rich people come here for a weekend of debauchery , there isnt too much money left back here. most of these properties are privately owned by guys from Palm Beach and Key Largo, so they only need a little maid service and some gardeners
From: United States
to keep the grounds pristine. we have placed too much emphasis upon selling off beachfront property to foreigners; most countries in the world do not allow that to happen. but since a few folks make a comision, which they can use to buy another jeepeta, they couldn't care less if they sell off the island down to the last platano tree. after all, we live for today; let tomorrow worry about itself. everything will work out just fine, ''SI DIOS QUIERE''.
From: United States
I agree with your comments...
Thank to that disorder! There is many opportunities for the wise... There is a trend going on, and that is the rumors that Dom. rep. may become an attractive buying center for Caribbean region... There are companies like IKEA and Ashely Furniture buying tracks of land in Dom. Rep.
I have been traveling to Dominican Rep. for 15 years now and regarless of economics, we (Dominicans) buy and buy! around all the disorder.
Written by: willmo, 5 Jan 2008 11:54 AM
From: Dominican Republic
To Dreadlocks:
Trujillo was probably on of the 1o richest men in the world; this has been repeated many times by those who defends the present "Status Quo". I wonder where do that figure come from? Was his richness based on the assets he owned in the island or liquid assets in foreign banks? Because nowadays there are "Empresarios" far richer than Trujillo not in terms of their assets but in terms of cash available in foreign banks taken out of the sweating of the Dominican people who have been stripped of their right ownership after Trujillo's death, all by manipulating the legal system or getting the priviligies that comes with being part of the "best families". Take a look at what's happening with the Viccini family buying now the port of Haina, not being satisfied with possessing in concession the port of Santo Domingo. I am not proud to be a Dominican. We are a morally corrupt country.
From: United States
Do not feel bad... I live in the US and is the same beast, dressed in a tuxedo!
From: United States, Washington, D.C.
From: United States
hey Baldoria: it is time for YOU to throw your hat into the political ring. i can assure you of one thing; if you truly seek the reforms which you propose, i will be behind you 100% with all the support i can give.
From: United States, Washington, D.C.
Everything has a humble start. First thing first - lets get ORGANIZE. SEnd me an email so that we can talk more in detail.
gonze459@newschool.edu
From: United Kingdom
If you have your PHD, Mr. Baldoria, why not get a professorship at one of the local Universities. That would be a way to speak to the youth directly. I plan on doing the same within the next 5-10 years( I have a MBA and I‘m continuing my education here in London at LSE) .
From: United States
hey Frank the Tank; good luck with your studies. by the way, did you hear that it was 89 degrees and sunny down here today?
From: United States, Washington, D.C.
Alas, I have another 2 years before my PhD - June '09. But I'm in the middle of the writing process and will be going between the DR and the New School.
What I'll do after the PhD, is the million dollar question. One that I'm hoping these conversations will help me determine. I'm infatuated with a couple of ideas:
1. Cultural Arts Center to sponsor the performing arts (music, acting, dance...), literature (poetry, short stories, plays), as well as painting
2. Gallery/Performance Space
3. Book Store/Cafe - focusing on social science - and sponsoring chats and workshops
4. Think-Tank/Watch-dog that focuses on political transparency & socio-economic-policy issues
5. Political Activism through a Civil Society Organization
6. Creating a College that focuses on social sciences
7. Political Consulting Firm that focuses on building capacity of Civil Society Organizations and grassroots Movements.
All these are not independent of each other. But I have some time to plan.
Written by: willmo, 15 Jan 2008 6:19 PM
From: Dominican Republic
To Baldoria & FranktheTank:
Congratulation for your studies. But unless you have the right connections in the D.R. , don't even think that you will achieve anything of these things you are planning to. Intellectual capability is not the criteria by which we judge, at present, who should teach. The captive market for ideas in which we live makes difficult for any to intellectual career, unless you are to hungry for a while. They are still "sacred cows" that still dominates the academic and the professional fields. It is despicable but this the way it is in our country. Good Luck my friends!!!!!.
From: Canada
Why won't the people wake up? For some there is no appearance of urgent necessity,. Others they feel powerless and are under the belief that things will not change or change is slow.
For most they do not wish to sacrifice some of the freedoms of today choice for the benefit of others, because maybee they feel the cow dies as the grass grows.How does an outside organization change that. The church tries to assimilate people into their beliefs, human rights organization overthrows the gov'ment or leads a movement. Sure it will shape the country for good, but what is the best route to take?
I believe in the future the influence of many dominicans living abroad will one day return to their homeland, bringing with them the influence another culture , helping shape the dominican, but is it enough?
The greatest thing to take from this article is that in order for a faster development of the D.R.
an outside source is needed. Who it is,who will the people listen to, people will decide.
Written by: Duane, 1 Feb 2008 1:10 PM
From: United Kingdom
As an outsider what I noticed the most about the DR is that the wealthy don't seem to want to share their wealth. Its a country where you see 50 people sharing a bus made for 25, whilst in front is one guy driving a $70.000 mercedes 4 x 4. It is the only negative thing I can say about the country, well not even the country, thats perfect. I should say the people.
Its quite sickening how the rich are prepared to live behind high walls and ignore what goes on around them outside. Poor education, bad health care, bad transport, no power, general poverty, AIDS etc. As long as they have their big homes and nice cars, pools in the back garden, latest fashions, then they can walk around blind.
From: United States
the sad part of what Duane observes is the sense of entitlement which accompanies the discrepancy of wealth and opportunity in the dr. there is truly a small group of people who literally own the country. they see no need for change, because they believe that God meant it to be like this. as such, the country remains a virtual fiefdom, not a democracy in the remotest of senses.
Written by: willmo, 2 Feb 2008 9:28 PM
From: Dominican Republic
To Duane and Dreadlocks:
I share your opinions, guys! It is very sad indeed that we have become a country of the "few" at the expense of the great majority of Dominicans, who work hard for low wages, pay higher prices than in similar countries, can barely can satisfy their needs, with few oportunity for jobs, no pension, etc. etc. etc. What a country!!!.
Written by: cess101, 7 Apr 2008 2:46 PM
From: United States
I must agree with what you are saying Willmo, the rich doesnt share the wealth. that is something we must do...the rich people only care about themselves while there are people starving, they are very stingy wih their money. The gov should alsomake it easier for dominicans to travel, they shouldnt be so hard on those poor dominicans that all they wish is to go to the uS or make a living to help each other out. i lived in the city i have fam in the campo and i can honestly tell you that living in the campo is so hard because the resouces yet everyone helps each other out. its almost its bound to happen its just like the bible.. wit the women that game the only thing she had to oofer in the church. The poor are willing to lend a helping hand because they know how it is to be in debt or in need. They can actually count on each other. These people are so humble it amazes me.
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Sr. Gonzalez-Acosta has said it all.
I find it a shame that the other (Spanish) periodicals don't publish this for the Spanish speaking population here.
The more this gets coverage, the more people will perhaps think in terms of change in our Society.
The Middle Class in any society is the supporting element of that society.
Since I lived in Europe many years inclucing five years in Paris, allow me to comment:
You are describing cultural differences between northern and southern Europe which are anchored in epistemological, especially mid-France versus the Iberian peninsula (Goth/Roma;n vs. Moor). Government can't change it, but the same epistemological shifts that the centuries brought us to this will. That's globalization, free trade and fee movement of peoples.
rather than knowledge base. certain societies have a more collective spirit, and that helps them to progress. korea in the 1950s was a bomb crater, but look at it today! the entire population came together with a common goal; to uplift korea, not themselves. singapore today is one of the most advanced societies in the world, because of public will to excel. they do not tolerate antisocial behavior of any kind which will retard the collective enjoyment of the fruits of the civilisation.
This is an opportunity for me to learn from you about the traction of these theoretical ideas that I have been wrestling with for a while.
Keep the comments, questions, and challenges coming. We have a chance to start a movement that can perhaps inspire people to look at things differently.
are to busy defrauding the state,
Therefore, the public sphere will only be a dream for those people who experienced once in another country.
I met carmen on a bus...I had lost my keys at the airport in Santo Domingo. The bus was...as usual...packed beyond full and she sat beside me. Long story short....she is educated, owns her own home, is respected in her Bario by young and old alike....but can only find jobs that want to pay her $8000 pesos a month...this for a lady holding an honours degree in Pharmacy.
Unless you are well connected to the "system". there is little chance of the average Dominican moving ahead. Sad but true...which leads to the " why even try" attitude.
What the Dominican Republic needs is what most countries including the United States require. Accountability... This will get us structure and good intentioned officials that in fact have the interest of the citizen in good faith. Politicians and public officials must have the true vocation of serving the public. That is not the case in most governments today...
I do agree with everything you wrote about and think nothing is going to change DOMINICANS
It took this country 500 yrs in the making plus all the bad Euro-blood inherited from the Arabs that were known for bad gvt practice in general and as administrators up to the present. From 711-1482 when the Spaniards were able to drive them out for religious reasons and those that came
back from LEPANTO ,TURKEY were the same that colonized present ibero-America battle vets(conquistadores) corrupted officials and soldiers. So you see it is more of utopia Latin America.
If you start looking at our Latin ancestors this far back you will see non of them escaped corruption
From Portugal,Spain,France,Italy,Rumania all fell under the Turkish Empire in So.Mediterranian
basin. Diferent from the North american settlers, though monarch ruled, just like Portugal ,Spain. were more organized,further observation noticed all UK ex-colonies are ruled by prime ministers
except US.
I am in full agreement on your posters. I can also see thru you that you know your people and also
know what they lack. This is all due to Trujillo's era where every thing became centralized and still is.Nothing has changed since i left in 1952. The provincial gvts are figure heads,and get the left
over from the central gvt.if there is any left over. The municipalities are abandoned in every sence of governmental functions. The national police are there to so call patrol the capital (ND)by adding 15,000 more useless cops to collect (botellas).
All the thinking is done for them and it is not dificult for them to become welfare recipients upon arrival at the USA, when back home it was not diferent eccept for sect 8 and a bi-week check.
As to B.H.A. article on 12/4/07 2:48pm ,It is not to the gvt's best interest to publish Ed's article in the local (SPANISH) periodicals for Spanish speaking population, since this will inform & educate them.
Is sad to say as I have only learned to justify this unbalance with fate... Me included, our region from history has been shown to mostly survive... I wonder everyday I spend in a land I love (Dom. Rep.) how can the people survive! Low wages, I am amazed on how the civilians older than 30 are discriminated mostly due to age and normal aged appearance. Is phenomenal that the they can take their daily life frustrations on Merengue and Bachata.
The only country in Latin America and Caribbean I have not had the pleasure of visiting is Brazil and on the other hand one that truly impressed me was Argentina. They have phenomenal parks and places for the people to enjoy! But look at the European influe
Yes, there are exceptions... Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Grand Cayman are out of the ordinary situations that have one very important factor... finding a niche and exploiting that market sector. Barbados has found several niches... One being Tourism - Different from Dom. Rep. They have very good customer service and true hospitality. Have you see the taxes the Dominican Republic charges tourist and visitors? Is more than outrageous sad! Road are shitty!, Facilities are not per US spec. When you visit V Centenario most of the elevators did not work and to go up and down was almost like driving from el Malecon to Acropolis at 5 pm!!! A total mess!
The best acceptable roads are those leading to Romana!!! What a coincidence!
Yes, there are exceptions... Barbados, Trinidad, Bermuda, Grand Cayman are out of the ordinary situations that have one very important factor... finding a niche and exploiting that market sector. Barbados has found several niches... One being Tourism - Different from Dom. Rep. They have very good customer service and true hospitality. Have you see the taxes the Dominican Republic charges tourist and visitors? Is more than outrageous sad! Road are shitty!, Facilities are not per US spec. When you visit V Centenario most of the elevators did not work and to go up and down was almost like driving from el Malecon to Acropolis at 5 pm!!! A total mess!
The best acceptable roads are those leading to Romana!!! What a coincidence!
What the Dom. Rep. needs is a government with 'balls'. They have not had it since Trujillo. But there is hope, with the voice and lots of International Press!!! The government hates that, as the world gets to know what they do with all the money they get!
Lots of press!!!!! As when the excrement hits the fan, then everybody start blaming the other and as all predators do they start cleaning out each other and we may feel the relief and start getting some responsible officials that care for the people.
There is lots of talent and possibilities, but we need a responsible and accountable government.
When the subject of Trujillo comes up is sad when you focus on the bad things that happened in his presidency. But what he did is precisely what we lack today in Dominican Republic. Law and order! Is a total disaster were a small percentage of the population do very well and the rest eat @*#&^*@.
I spend from the 28th of Dec. to the 3rd of January in Dom. Rep. I had the opportunity to help a volunteer group in a small town NE of the capital to read Prescription Drugs that were in English and they could not read English so some of the much needed medicine was going to be discarded if they expired.
Thank to that disorder! There is many opportunities for the wise... There is a trend going on, and that is the rumors that Dom. rep. may become an attractive buying center for Caribbean region... There are companies like IKEA and Ashely Furniture buying tracks of land in Dom. Rep.
I have been traveling to Dominican Rep. for 15 years now and regarless of economics, we (Dominicans) buy and buy! around all the disorder.
Trujillo was probably on of the 1o richest men in the world; this has been repeated many times by those who defends the present "Status Quo". I wonder where do that figure come from? Was his richness based on the assets he owned in the island or liquid assets in foreign banks? Because nowadays there are "Empresarios" far richer than Trujillo not in terms of their assets but in terms of cash available in foreign banks taken out of the sweating of the Dominican people who have been stripped of their right ownership after Trujillo's death, all by manipulating the legal system or getting the priviligies that comes with being part of the "best families". Take a look at what's happening with the Viccini family buying now the port of Haina, not being satisfied with possessing in concession the port of Santo Domingo. I am not proud to be a Dominican. We are a morally corrupt country.
Does anyone know more about this party and its candidate? I haven't been able to find a party website jsut news articles about them:
- http://www.periodicopcion.net/article149991.html
- http://www.barrigaverde.net/?modu....mp;seccion_id=3&articulo=4545
- http://www.consultapopular.gov.do/documentos/MIUCA-PCT.propuesta.pdf (checkout pointIV.2 on page 2)
Well, if they are as good as they sound, there may be hope only if all GET BEHIND AND SUPPORT THEM.
gonze459@newschool.edu
What I'll do after the PhD, is the million dollar question. One that I'm hoping these conversations will help me determine. I'm infatuated with a couple of ideas:
1. Cultural Arts Center to sponsor the performing arts (music, acting, dance...), literature (poetry, short stories, plays), as well as painting
2. Gallery/Performance Space
3. Book Store/Cafe - focusing on social science - and sponsoring chats and workshops
4. Think-Tank/Watch-dog that focuses on political transparency & socio-economic-policy issues
5. Political Activism through a Civil Society Organization
6. Creating a College that focuses on social sciences
7. Political Consulting Firm that focuses on building capacity of Civil Society Organizations and grassroots Movements.
All these are not independent of each other. But I have some time to plan.
Congratulation for your studies. But unless you have the right connections in the D.R. , don't even think that you will achieve anything of these things you are planning to. Intellectual capability is not the criteria by which we judge, at present, who should teach. The captive market for ideas in which we live makes difficult for any to intellectual career, unless you are to hungry for a while. They are still "sacred cows" that still dominates the academic and the professional fields. It is despicable but this the way it is in our country. Good Luck my friends!!!!!.
For most they do not wish to sacrifice some of the freedoms of today choice for the benefit of others, because maybee they feel the cow dies as the grass grows.How does an outside organization change that. The church tries to assimilate people into their beliefs, human rights organization overthrows the gov'ment or leads a movement. Sure it will shape the country for good, but what is the best route to take?
I believe in the future the influence of many dominicans living abroad will one day return to their homeland, bringing with them the influence another culture , helping shape the dominican, but is it enough?
The greatest thing to take from this article is that in order for a faster development of the D.R.
an outside source is needed. Who it is,who will the people listen to, people will decide.
Its quite sickening how the rich are prepared to live behind high walls and ignore what goes on around them outside. Poor education, bad health care, bad transport, no power, general poverty, AIDS etc. As long as they have their big homes and nice cars, pools in the back garden, latest fashions, then they can walk around blind.
I share your opinions, guys! It is very sad indeed that we have become a country of the "few" at the expense of the great majority of Dominicans, who work hard for low wages, pay higher prices than in similar countries, can barely can satisfy their needs, with few oportunity for jobs, no pension, etc. etc. etc. What a country!!!.