well, there you go.
Oct. 13th, 2003 11:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sisyphusshruggedEmma grew up in Castro's Cuba.
She knows about this stuff.
There's a disease in Latin American politics called caudillismo. It's a complicated phenomenon, with many sub-varieties, but it usually manifests itself in the national stage in the election of a "strong man" by a disgusted public looking for solutions. The caudillo is seen as the "new broom" that will sweep "those corrupt bastards" out of office and re-establish the Republic. For a while, it works, because the caudillo can make things happen just on momentum, especially if his advisors have some smarts. In the long range, though, the whole thing is a disaster because the caudillo is not interested in the Republic. He's interested in the power that comes with it. And given a choice, he will screw the Republic every time.
Welcome to Latin American-style politics, Californios. Enjoy your stay.
She knows about this stuff.
There's a disease in Latin American politics called caudillismo. It's a complicated phenomenon, with many sub-varieties, but it usually manifests itself in the national stage in the election of a "strong man" by a disgusted public looking for solutions. The caudillo is seen as the "new broom" that will sweep "those corrupt bastards" out of office and re-establish the Republic. For a while, it works, because the caudillo can make things happen just on momentum, especially if his advisors have some smarts. In the long range, though, the whole thing is a disaster because the caudillo is not interested in the Republic. He's interested in the power that comes with it. And given a choice, he will screw the Republic every time.
Welcome to Latin American-style politics, Californios. Enjoy your stay.
