The future is in our hands, no other

As trite as it sounds, we can’t grow tired of reciting to ourselves, that democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

In an earlier posting, the blog spoke to the challenge of transforming from communism to capitalism, the North Star that guides the writer as a development worker in Eastern Europe. On the other hand, we Pinoys have the challenge of transforming into an industrial economy.

The future is in our hands. It is not in JICA or USAID’s, both have been around decades supporting our development efforts, to deliver the future of Juan de la Cruz. There is no free lunch. For example, if Arangkada fails, it is nobody else’s fault but ours. 

We don't expect Arangkada to be served Juan de la Cruz on a silver platter. For example, why do we remain a protectionist economy – yet political patronage entrenches crony capitalism, including foreign interests, while undermining industrialization altogether? Likewise, the Marcos family going scot-free is our fault, as in the incompetence of our prosecution efforts, despite plundering the coffers of this developing nation.

“This is your company. I am your training wheels, and that says it all. You let go of your training wheels the sooner, the better because the future is in your hands, not mine. I am committed to mentor you because you believed in the guidance I imparted. I must reciprocate your trust. That is our social contract.”

The writer arrived in this part of the world at the instance of USAID. It is an expression of American exceptionalism. The aid program ended over ten years ago, yet the American experiment, despite its flaws, never ceases being in the psyche of those that call themselves Americans.

The world is witness to this reality from the impeachment hearings against Trump. Career diplomats occupying subordinate positions to that of the president repeatedly articulated what America stood for. 

Indeed, to err is human. Still, the rule of law is paramount in a democracy. Trump is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and he has all the right to make such a plea, although impeachment is a political, not a judicial process.

The political process, in this case, demonstrates democracy’s ownership, i.e., of the people, by the people, for the people. In other words, if the legislature misreads the people’s verdict, they have the next presidential election to render the judgment.

Let’s get back to Eastern Europe. The writer signed up as a volunteer expert and was appointed a client: He did not see a way forward towards a bright future for this client after the typical one-month engagement. The future is in their hands, and they failed to manifest their potential as a success story.

A second client requested assistance, and after a similar engagement period, the writer determined that they would be on the road to progress if not an outright success. That is despite being a losing proposition for eight years.

After three years of working with them, developing a game plan, and conducting classroom workshops, the writer agreed to be directly involved in the execution phase of the project. He would run the sales function and organize it to do business beyond their country. Being less than 10 million [15 of the 28 EU nations share the profile] in population, they needed a bigger market to generate economies of scale.

But the writer was crystal clear, he would do it for a period of two years, and then he would resume his role as their mentor. See above re “this is your company.”

What an irony, the first client, which was at least three times bigger than the second one, a microenterprise, indeed found itself foundering. They approached the latter and offered themselves for sale, which the writer did not endorse.

What can we in the Philippines learn from this experience? For example, how do we view our initiatives in promoting MSMEs? As the blog has discussed, we must move beyond the assumption that MSMEs are livelihood undertakings. To transition from communism to capitalism, the writer’s Eastern European friends had to understand and accept that competition is inherent in a free market. There is no free lunch.

Why have all our neighbors transitioned to an industrial economy, and we’re still about livelihood projects? Worse, we are in the poverty business but not in the development business. The evidence? Our instincts: We are parochial and insular. We value hierarchy and paternalism and rely on political patronage and oligarchy, that at the end of the day, ours is a culture of impunity.

Our instincts will explain why we struggle to understand and accept that the future is in our hands.

Consider: “This week, I was at the Arangkada Philippines Forum 2019, organized annually by the Joint Foreign Chambers in the country in partnership with USAID. While I was impressed as usual with the three policy briefs released in time for the forum—on tourism, agribusiness, and power—I and the few others that stayed for networking and cocktails at the end of the forum seemed to share some concerns and disappointments.” [“Arangkada, kaya pa ba(?),” Peter Angelo V. Perfecto, BUSINESS MATTERS, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 23rd Nov 2019]

Then consider; “[It] is deeply disturbing that the PCGG and the (OSG)—the very agencies that are sworn to protect the interest of the state and its people—could conduct their prosecution in the manner that they did… The lawyers of these government agencies are expected to be the best in the legal profession. However, despite having the extensive resources of the government, (they) did not even bother to provide any reason whatsoever for their failure to present the original documents or the witnesses to support the government's claim. Such a manner of legal practice deserves the reproof of this Court…” [“Fault in dismissal of Marcos wealth cases,” Artemio V. Panganiban, WITH DUE RESPECT, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 24th Nov 2019]

Benchmark. Benchmark. Benchmark. See above; our neighbors transitioned to an industrial economy.

Sadly, our inward-looking bias inhibits us from looking outward and forward. Here’s a quote from an earlier posting: “Open-mindedness, continuous self-questioning and a willingness to change one’s mind (all of which happen to be principles of the yogic understanding of wisdom) are key factors for making wiser choices.” [“Are You Too Smart to Think Wisely? Brainpower can contribute to surprising reasoning mistakes”; Eva M. Krockow, Ph.D., Psychology Today, 6th Mar 2019]

We Pinoys have the challenge of transforming into an industrial economy. The future is in our hands.

Gising bayan!

“Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow? Moreover, that they will be such is not to be doubted, for he who submits to tyranny loves it.” [We are ruled by Rizal’s ‘tyrants of tomorrow,’ Editorial, The Manila Times, 29th Dec 2015]

“Now I know why Paul dared to speak of ‘the curse of the law’ (Galatians 3:13). Law reigns and discernment is unnecessary, which means there is little growth or change in such people. When you do not grow, you remain an infant.” [Faith and Science, Open to Change, Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, 23rd Oct 2017]

“As a major component for the education and reorientation of our people, mainstream media – their reporters, writers, photographers, columnists, and editors – have an obligation to this country . . .” [Era of documented irrelevance: Mainstream media, critics and protesters, Homobono A. Adaza, The Manila Times, 25th Nov 2015]

“National prosperity is created, not inherited. It does not grow out of a country's natural endowments, its labor pool, its interest rates, or its currency’s value, as classical economics insists. [A] nation’s competitiveness depends on the capacity of its industry to innovate and upgrade.” [The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael E. Porter, Harvard Business Review, March–April 1990]

“You have to have a dream, whether big or small. Then plan, focus, work hard, and be very determined to achieve your goals.” [Henry Sy Sr., Chairman Emeritus and Founder, SM Group (1924 - 2019)]

“Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow.” [William Pollard, 1911-1989, physicist-priest, Manhattan Project]

“Development [is informed by a people’s] worldview, cognitive capacity, values, moral development, self-identity, spirituality, and leadership . . .” [Frederic Laloux, Reinventing organizations, Nelson Parker, 2014]