and always remember…
if you cannot find the exact words, fuupahs and brahaaas are handy to express indescribable feelings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5F_7DwPpo
if falling is imminent, be elegant and creative – you got wiped out anyways
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8f_dVfpFkw
if you feel lost and hopeless, look for Big Z – he will teach you some skills before “your whale comes in”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N41QJ0VCs68
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and lots of Fun and Funny Sessions!
quinta-feira, 23 de dezembro de 2010
domingo, 19 de dezembro de 2010
Political Philosophy: Bentham and Kant
Michael Sandel has taught the course "Justice" for over fourteen thousand Harvard students.
His central question is: "What is the right thing to do?"
He analyzes predicaments in the light of Jeremy Bentham's and Immanuel Kant's lessons.
Bentham is the founder of Utilitarianism. For the 18th English thinker, the right thing to do is to maximize utility, that is, we should balance our pleasure over pain, happiness over suffering. Doing so, we end up maximizing our overall level of happiness. Betham's aphorism summarizes this concept: "The greatest good for the greatest number".
Bentham's Utilitarianism resulted in the moral principle of Consequentialist, which locates morality in the consequence of an act. In other words, moral decisions are swayed by the results of our acts.
Kant, the 18th German philosopher, created a different way to analyze what is the right thing to do when we face moral deadlocks. Categorical is the concept which locates morality in certain duties and rights; in other words, the intrinsic quality and character of our acts matter morally. It cannot be right to kill one person to save another or others.
Bentham's and Kant's political philosophical theories, although essentially different, avoid decision-makers become skeptical and taking for granted that skepticism, or the absence of moral reflection, can be an unscathed way out for human dilemmas.
Either Consequentialism or Categorical philosophies both help decision-makers articulate reasons and principles lying behind judgments. This cognitive task is vital "to awaken the restlessness of reasoning and see where it might lead", concludes Sandel.
http://www.ted.com/speakers/michael_sandel.html
His central question is: "What is the right thing to do?"
He analyzes predicaments in the light of Jeremy Bentham's and Immanuel Kant's lessons.
Bentham is the founder of Utilitarianism. For the 18th English thinker, the right thing to do is to maximize utility, that is, we should balance our pleasure over pain, happiness over suffering. Doing so, we end up maximizing our overall level of happiness. Betham's aphorism summarizes this concept: "The greatest good for the greatest number".
Bentham's Utilitarianism resulted in the moral principle of Consequentialist, which locates morality in the consequence of an act. In other words, moral decisions are swayed by the results of our acts.
Kant, the 18th German philosopher, created a different way to analyze what is the right thing to do when we face moral deadlocks. Categorical is the concept which locates morality in certain duties and rights; in other words, the intrinsic quality and character of our acts matter morally. It cannot be right to kill one person to save another or others.
Bentham's and Kant's political philosophical theories, although essentially different, avoid decision-makers become skeptical and taking for granted that skepticism, or the absence of moral reflection, can be an unscathed way out for human dilemmas.
Either Consequentialism or Categorical philosophies both help decision-makers articulate reasons and principles lying behind judgments. This cognitive task is vital "to awaken the restlessness of reasoning and see where it might lead", concludes Sandel.
http://www.ted.com/speakers/michael_sandel.html
sábado, 18 de dezembro de 2010
Rohter vs Grandy: Diversification vs Specialization in Hawai'i's Economy
This brief analysis is divided into four parts. The first summarizes Ira Rohter’s book “A Green Hawai’i” and Christopher Grandy’s “Hawai’i Becalmed”. The ideas selected from both books were the ones that deal with alternative economic models to the Hawaiian islands. The second part describes the main risk and benefit of the diversification model proposed by Rohter, and the third, the main risk and benefit of Grandy’s specialization approach. In the last part, I present few economic policy suggestions based on the analysis of Rohther’s and Grandy’s main arguments.
Part I – Summaries
Ira Rohter’s “A Green Hawaii” defends the diversification of investments in the Hawaiian islands. The professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) states that mass tourism has caused more harm than positive effects on the local economy. Most jobs created were not only low-paid but also the vast majority of profit made ended up outside the islands since corporations not controlled by local entrepreneurs owned mostly of facilities and services in the tourism industry.
Writing in the early nineties, Rohter envisions “A Green Hawaii” by 2010. Economic policies supporting local business are expected to lead this transformation. Hawaiian public leaders are expected to copy and spread policies implemented by Kapolei and Waialua residents, who have decided to take over their future by rejecting the prevalent presence of large corporations on their land. In these districts, according to Rohter, communal decision-making has spread wealth among residents and established an economy less susceptible to systemic international market volatility.
Grandy’s “Hawai’i Becalmed” highlights the importance of specialization for the Hawaiian economy. It is important to note that specialization is a term never used in Grandy’s book but is interpreted in this paper as the author’s confidence in policies that do not prevent market forces from freely operating. For Grandy, it is counterproductive to prevent free market mechanisms from allocating scarce resources in the tourism sector when this industry features competitive advantages over other economic segments. Mass tourism in Hawaii has created jobs and increased tax revenues. Hawaiian residents would not have been enjoying high living standards today if the tourism industry were neglected by policy-makers.
Writing in early 2000s, the professor of Public Administration at UHM advocates a tight budget control. Hawaiian authorities have traditionally paid close attention to public expenses only during economic downturns. At these difficult periods, constituents tend to put more pressure on the government for further mitigation bills. Grandy argues that this reactive institutional behavior has resulted in acts and laws that have obstructed quick responses from private companies to help address looming recessions. This problem is amplified due to the excessive number of complicated and costly regulations. Grandy, in this context, suggests that Hawai’i’s economic growth should rely on an environment in which the private sector can freely and dynamically operates inside and outside state borders.
Part II – Main Risk and Benefit of Diversification
The main risk of diversifying investments is allocating resources in sectors that are not as competitive and productive as other industries. Tourism is the principal reason for economic growth in Hawai’i. Private and public investments in tourism infrastructure, accommodation, and various types of services have been responsible for the high living standards that Hawaiian residents enjoy in comparison with other states in the country. However, if the local government decides to create economic policies aiming the strengthening of other markets, it risks to deviate resources like capital, labor, and land to sectors that would not yield services and products as price-quality competitive as the tourism industry.
The frustrating attempt to build a high technology sector is an example. During the Cayetano administration (1994-2002), the public sector established a pool of tax credits and fiscal incentives for companies that were expected to attract high-paid jobs to the islands. This initiative, however, has not created as many jobs as expected and; in addition, resulted in a series of legislations that proven to be expensive to maintain and to promote rapid responses to moments of financial disequilibrium.
Diversification reduces unsystemic risks. As different sectors employ the workforce, the drawback of depending, for example, on foreign visitors from a single country to inject capital in the economy is minimized at times of economic uncertainty. In addition, a diversified economy tends to suffer less impact from international currencies’ fluctuation and the strengthening of different industries serves as a buffer for the local economy against market forces that are out of control in an increasingly globalized world.
Agriculture creates jobs. When more people work on their land planting and harvesting it not only creates jobs within an economic chain but also expands the local economy by propagating ripple effects throughout the food sector. Seeds, fertilizers, equipment, warehouses, wholesalers, and so on, are few businesses that greatly benefit from the multiplier effect of investments in foundation enterprises like agriculture.
Part III – Main Risk and Benefit of Specialization
The main risk of Hawai’i specializing itself in the tourism industry is wielding little control over the economy at times of international crisis. Hawai’i’s tourism industry depends heavily on overseas income. If for any reason tourists stop flying, the economy rapidly shrinks. Also, Hawai’i’s local authorities can do little to change the mood of travelers convincing them to board on planes, as September 11th 2001 exemplifies. In this context, local administrators of tourism destinations tend to function at the automatic mode while dealing with international markets ups and downs. They accelerate when visitors come and slow down when tourists sharply stop landing.
The economic crisis that hit Japan in the 80s and 90s demonstrate how much Hawai’i’s economy can be badly affected by the decline of tourist inflow. Hawai’i’s greatest economic slump happened between 1990 and 1997. The reason for this downturn was the sharp decline of Japanese tourists’ arrivals. As Japan’s economy struggled so did the Hawaiian. The result of this recession was high unemployment rates and inumerous social complaints.
The main benefit of specializing the local economy is the opportunity cost of tapping into the competitive advantage that Hawai’i presents in the tourism industry. It also makes easier and less expensive for legislators to come up with regulations that strengthen this sector. As more companies perceive local market rules as straightforward and inexpensive, more investments are made, better products and services derive from competition, and more jobs are created.
The tourism industry has been the main economic force in Hawaii since 1960s. When John Burns ruled the state from 1962 to 1974, he noticed that Hawai’i had unmatchable tourism advantages in comparison with other destinations in Asia and the US. Thus, this industry started receiving most of the attention from his and next cabinets, which largely helped the State’s economic growth from 1960’s onwards. Also, unemployment rates were kept as one of the lowest in the country. Honolulu, for example, still features one of the best quality of life nationwide and is recognized as one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Part IV – Analysis and Policy Suggestions
Hawai’i needs diversification in specialization. Tourism should continue driving the economy as the main source of capital attraction to and job creation in the islands. However, Hawai’i cannot target only the markets of Japan and the United States. China, South Korea, Europe, and Canada are economies that Hawaiian leaders should spend more time and money on elaborating marketing strategies and customer service training for visitors from these countries.
Hawaii also needs more local entrepreneurs investing in and managing the tourism sector. To address this, the state could provide special training – but not conditions – to residents. As more people who live in the islands invest their resources in tourism products and services, the economy is likely to become more competitive and diversified, more attractions are created, and more capital end up being reinvested in the islands. This initiative could also turn into a useful tool to reinvigorate environmental and cultural aspects of the islands.
Local leaders are requested to invest more in infrastructure. Traffic congestion, for example, is one of the main problems on Oahu nowadays. This problem not only affects a large part of residents but also the perception that tourists have about the main island of Hawaii. The investments in infrastructure, however, cannot be done without considering tax costs for residents, architectural impact on landscapes, and environmental concerns and long-term implications. Legislators and public administrators have to come up with strategies that improve living standards for residents by adding value to the islands as a tourism destination and not increasing fiscal burden on tax payers.
Finally, Hawaiian leaders must keep track of tax revenues and expenses during positive and negative economic moments. By doing so, public authorities create policies that would support the residents who have been severely affected by systemic international crises, which greatly reduce tourism activity in the islands. Welfare policies should be designed during the period of economic bonanza as this situation allows legislators to analyze more carefully the present and future costs of creating regulations that might hamper the State’s economic growth once the local economy gains momentum once again.
References
Grandy, Christopher. 2002. Hawai’i Becalmed. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.
Rohter, Ira. 1992. A Green Hawaii. Honolulu: Nakane O Ka Malo Press.
Part I – Summaries
Ira Rohter’s “A Green Hawaii” defends the diversification of investments in the Hawaiian islands. The professor of Political Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) states that mass tourism has caused more harm than positive effects on the local economy. Most jobs created were not only low-paid but also the vast majority of profit made ended up outside the islands since corporations not controlled by local entrepreneurs owned mostly of facilities and services in the tourism industry.
Writing in the early nineties, Rohter envisions “A Green Hawaii” by 2010. Economic policies supporting local business are expected to lead this transformation. Hawaiian public leaders are expected to copy and spread policies implemented by Kapolei and Waialua residents, who have decided to take over their future by rejecting the prevalent presence of large corporations on their land. In these districts, according to Rohter, communal decision-making has spread wealth among residents and established an economy less susceptible to systemic international market volatility.
Grandy’s “Hawai’i Becalmed” highlights the importance of specialization for the Hawaiian economy. It is important to note that specialization is a term never used in Grandy’s book but is interpreted in this paper as the author’s confidence in policies that do not prevent market forces from freely operating. For Grandy, it is counterproductive to prevent free market mechanisms from allocating scarce resources in the tourism sector when this industry features competitive advantages over other economic segments. Mass tourism in Hawaii has created jobs and increased tax revenues. Hawaiian residents would not have been enjoying high living standards today if the tourism industry were neglected by policy-makers.
Writing in early 2000s, the professor of Public Administration at UHM advocates a tight budget control. Hawaiian authorities have traditionally paid close attention to public expenses only during economic downturns. At these difficult periods, constituents tend to put more pressure on the government for further mitigation bills. Grandy argues that this reactive institutional behavior has resulted in acts and laws that have obstructed quick responses from private companies to help address looming recessions. This problem is amplified due to the excessive number of complicated and costly regulations. Grandy, in this context, suggests that Hawai’i’s economic growth should rely on an environment in which the private sector can freely and dynamically operates inside and outside state borders.
Part II – Main Risk and Benefit of Diversification
The main risk of diversifying investments is allocating resources in sectors that are not as competitive and productive as other industries. Tourism is the principal reason for economic growth in Hawai’i. Private and public investments in tourism infrastructure, accommodation, and various types of services have been responsible for the high living standards that Hawaiian residents enjoy in comparison with other states in the country. However, if the local government decides to create economic policies aiming the strengthening of other markets, it risks to deviate resources like capital, labor, and land to sectors that would not yield services and products as price-quality competitive as the tourism industry.
The frustrating attempt to build a high technology sector is an example. During the Cayetano administration (1994-2002), the public sector established a pool of tax credits and fiscal incentives for companies that were expected to attract high-paid jobs to the islands. This initiative, however, has not created as many jobs as expected and; in addition, resulted in a series of legislations that proven to be expensive to maintain and to promote rapid responses to moments of financial disequilibrium.
Diversification reduces unsystemic risks. As different sectors employ the workforce, the drawback of depending, for example, on foreign visitors from a single country to inject capital in the economy is minimized at times of economic uncertainty. In addition, a diversified economy tends to suffer less impact from international currencies’ fluctuation and the strengthening of different industries serves as a buffer for the local economy against market forces that are out of control in an increasingly globalized world.
Agriculture creates jobs. When more people work on their land planting and harvesting it not only creates jobs within an economic chain but also expands the local economy by propagating ripple effects throughout the food sector. Seeds, fertilizers, equipment, warehouses, wholesalers, and so on, are few businesses that greatly benefit from the multiplier effect of investments in foundation enterprises like agriculture.
Part III – Main Risk and Benefit of Specialization
The main risk of Hawai’i specializing itself in the tourism industry is wielding little control over the economy at times of international crisis. Hawai’i’s tourism industry depends heavily on overseas income. If for any reason tourists stop flying, the economy rapidly shrinks. Also, Hawai’i’s local authorities can do little to change the mood of travelers convincing them to board on planes, as September 11th 2001 exemplifies. In this context, local administrators of tourism destinations tend to function at the automatic mode while dealing with international markets ups and downs. They accelerate when visitors come and slow down when tourists sharply stop landing.
The economic crisis that hit Japan in the 80s and 90s demonstrate how much Hawai’i’s economy can be badly affected by the decline of tourist inflow. Hawai’i’s greatest economic slump happened between 1990 and 1997. The reason for this downturn was the sharp decline of Japanese tourists’ arrivals. As Japan’s economy struggled so did the Hawaiian. The result of this recession was high unemployment rates and inumerous social complaints.
The main benefit of specializing the local economy is the opportunity cost of tapping into the competitive advantage that Hawai’i presents in the tourism industry. It also makes easier and less expensive for legislators to come up with regulations that strengthen this sector. As more companies perceive local market rules as straightforward and inexpensive, more investments are made, better products and services derive from competition, and more jobs are created.
The tourism industry has been the main economic force in Hawaii since 1960s. When John Burns ruled the state from 1962 to 1974, he noticed that Hawai’i had unmatchable tourism advantages in comparison with other destinations in Asia and the US. Thus, this industry started receiving most of the attention from his and next cabinets, which largely helped the State’s economic growth from 1960’s onwards. Also, unemployment rates were kept as one of the lowest in the country. Honolulu, for example, still features one of the best quality of life nationwide and is recognized as one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Part IV – Analysis and Policy Suggestions
Hawai’i needs diversification in specialization. Tourism should continue driving the economy as the main source of capital attraction to and job creation in the islands. However, Hawai’i cannot target only the markets of Japan and the United States. China, South Korea, Europe, and Canada are economies that Hawaiian leaders should spend more time and money on elaborating marketing strategies and customer service training for visitors from these countries.
Hawaii also needs more local entrepreneurs investing in and managing the tourism sector. To address this, the state could provide special training – but not conditions – to residents. As more people who live in the islands invest their resources in tourism products and services, the economy is likely to become more competitive and diversified, more attractions are created, and more capital end up being reinvested in the islands. This initiative could also turn into a useful tool to reinvigorate environmental and cultural aspects of the islands.
Local leaders are requested to invest more in infrastructure. Traffic congestion, for example, is one of the main problems on Oahu nowadays. This problem not only affects a large part of residents but also the perception that tourists have about the main island of Hawaii. The investments in infrastructure, however, cannot be done without considering tax costs for residents, architectural impact on landscapes, and environmental concerns and long-term implications. Legislators and public administrators have to come up with strategies that improve living standards for residents by adding value to the islands as a tourism destination and not increasing fiscal burden on tax payers.
Finally, Hawaiian leaders must keep track of tax revenues and expenses during positive and negative economic moments. By doing so, public authorities create policies that would support the residents who have been severely affected by systemic international crises, which greatly reduce tourism activity in the islands. Welfare policies should be designed during the period of economic bonanza as this situation allows legislators to analyze more carefully the present and future costs of creating regulations that might hamper the State’s economic growth once the local economy gains momentum once again.
References
Grandy, Christopher. 2002. Hawai’i Becalmed. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press.
Rohter, Ira. 1992. A Green Hawaii. Honolulu: Nakane O Ka Malo Press.
sexta-feira, 17 de dezembro de 2010
Kanehmann: Public Policy and Happiness
Daniel Kanehmann presented at TED Talks his findings on the relation between public policies and happiness.
His triggered question was: “Can public policies make people live happier?”
The Princeton professor starts off by defining happiness. There are two ways to perceive it. First, experiencing yourself, which relates to continuous life; and second, by remembering yourself through stories.
The founder of Behavioral Economics continued highlighting the importance of understanding how memory affects decision-making processes. The last emotion felt generally has the greatest impact.
He went on by stating that money and goals are two mechanisms to control happiness.
His team found out that money does not buy happiness, but households earning more than 60.000 dollars annually are more satisfied than those who live under this threshold.
Policy makers, therefore, have to be wary of policies addressing unhappiness. Money is not a panacea for every social problem but a punchline might be.
http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory.html
His triggered question was: “Can public policies make people live happier?”
The Princeton professor starts off by defining happiness. There are two ways to perceive it. First, experiencing yourself, which relates to continuous life; and second, by remembering yourself through stories.
The founder of Behavioral Economics continued highlighting the importance of understanding how memory affects decision-making processes. The last emotion felt generally has the greatest impact.
He went on by stating that money and goals are two mechanisms to control happiness.
His team found out that money does not buy happiness, but households earning more than 60.000 dollars annually are more satisfied than those who live under this threshold.
Policy makers, therefore, have to be wary of policies addressing unhappiness. Money is not a panacea for every social problem but a punchline might be.
http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory.html
Mulgan: Crisis and Innovation
Geoff Mulgan gave a talk about crisis and innovation at TED Talks in 2009.
The former assistant of Tony Blair for public policy affairs believes that 2008 economic crisis signifies a great opportunity for rethinking capitalism.
Leaders and societies are expected to invest less in large corporations and networks and more, maybe 1% of GDP, in social entrepreneurship.
Young entrepreneurs should receive this money since they understand that coming generations seek businesses that add on relationships, empathy, compassion, and care, not consuming bare products and services.
A disciple of Michael Young, the founder of Open University, Mulgan argues that public policies have to undergo thorough experiments before turning consumption societies into sustainable ones.
Best innovations usually come from intelligent leaders who daily face social deprivation. Ideas that change lives are polished by practice, not literature.
Quoting Young, Mulgan concludes: “If you see a problem, you shouldn’t tell someone to act, you should act on it yourself”.
http://www.ted.com/talks/geoff_mulgan_post_crash_investing_in_a_better_world_1.html
The former assistant of Tony Blair for public policy affairs believes that 2008 economic crisis signifies a great opportunity for rethinking capitalism.
Leaders and societies are expected to invest less in large corporations and networks and more, maybe 1% of GDP, in social entrepreneurship.
Young entrepreneurs should receive this money since they understand that coming generations seek businesses that add on relationships, empathy, compassion, and care, not consuming bare products and services.
A disciple of Michael Young, the founder of Open University, Mulgan argues that public policies have to undergo thorough experiments before turning consumption societies into sustainable ones.
Best innovations usually come from intelligent leaders who daily face social deprivation. Ideas that change lives are polished by practice, not literature.
Quoting Young, Mulgan concludes: “If you see a problem, you shouldn’t tell someone to act, you should act on it yourself”.
http://www.ted.com/talks/geoff_mulgan_post_crash_investing_in_a_better_world_1.html
quarta-feira, 15 de dezembro de 2010
Brazil in 60 Minutes
(Wrote the text below because I am an eyewitness, after living over 25 years in São Paulo and travelling throughout the country, that injustice is not an exception but a rule in the Brazilian society and because I do not agree with politicians and economists who claim that we, the civil society, first need to accumulate capital and then work towards social cooperation to overcome daunting public challenges)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co1cwVXhHQc&feature=player_embedded
An American friend sent me today the link above and affirmed that after watching this video I would be proud of being Brazilian.
Indeed, I got really happy to see that my country has created many jobs and attracted billions of dollars to the economy over the last decade.
However, I wonder what positions have been opened, if the poorest are living better, if this international propaganda of economic growth derives from comprehensive public policies and legal enforcement.
Honestly, I am cynical about Brazil’s future. Injustice is everywhere.
To illustrate, I share three short stories I have read recently on Brazil’s largest online newspaper.
Marco Paulo dos Santos, an intern at the Superior Court of Justice, was fired by the head of this court, Ari Pargendler. The reason for being publicly humiliated was not following Pargendler's orders to keep distance while he was withdrawing money from ATM. Santos, a Black undergraduate law student, was standing in line like any other person waiting for his turn. Pargendler, Caucasian, is still ahead of the Superior Court.
Edson Néris da Silva was beat up to death by a group of young people downtown São Paulo. For these self-proclaimed Neo-Nazi adolescents, the crime of Edson was justified because he walked hand in hand with his male partner. The police arrested 20 suspects, two of them women, but all are free and back to the streets.
José Jesus da Silva is an Indian Pataxó shot dead in the back few months ago. His friends stated that this ambush was caused by a dispute over land against landowners. Pataxó Indians have outspoken that they have been waiting for 28 years to the Supreme Court invalidate irregular titles assigned to farmers. 23 Indians have died so far and none of the farmers as a result of this dispute.
What Marco, Edson, and José share in common is that they do not belong to Brazil’s mainstream social class. They are part of the minority and their voices are rarely heard by those in power. As Brazilian leaders historically and systematically turn blind eyes to obvious cases of the violation of justice, this continental country will continue fighting against the burdens of deep social inequality and being considered a rising star only for the few fortunate rich prisoners living behind high electric fences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co1cwVXhHQc&feature=player_embedded
An American friend sent me today the link above and affirmed that after watching this video I would be proud of being Brazilian.
Indeed, I got really happy to see that my country has created many jobs and attracted billions of dollars to the economy over the last decade.
However, I wonder what positions have been opened, if the poorest are living better, if this international propaganda of economic growth derives from comprehensive public policies and legal enforcement.
Honestly, I am cynical about Brazil’s future. Injustice is everywhere.
To illustrate, I share three short stories I have read recently on Brazil’s largest online newspaper.
Marco Paulo dos Santos, an intern at the Superior Court of Justice, was fired by the head of this court, Ari Pargendler. The reason for being publicly humiliated was not following Pargendler's orders to keep distance while he was withdrawing money from ATM. Santos, a Black undergraduate law student, was standing in line like any other person waiting for his turn. Pargendler, Caucasian, is still ahead of the Superior Court.
Edson Néris da Silva was beat up to death by a group of young people downtown São Paulo. For these self-proclaimed Neo-Nazi adolescents, the crime of Edson was justified because he walked hand in hand with his male partner. The police arrested 20 suspects, two of them women, but all are free and back to the streets.
José Jesus da Silva is an Indian Pataxó shot dead in the back few months ago. His friends stated that this ambush was caused by a dispute over land against landowners. Pataxó Indians have outspoken that they have been waiting for 28 years to the Supreme Court invalidate irregular titles assigned to farmers. 23 Indians have died so far and none of the farmers as a result of this dispute.
What Marco, Edson, and José share in common is that they do not belong to Brazil’s mainstream social class. They are part of the minority and their voices are rarely heard by those in power. As Brazilian leaders historically and systematically turn blind eyes to obvious cases of the violation of justice, this continental country will continue fighting against the burdens of deep social inequality and being considered a rising star only for the few fortunate rich prisoners living behind high electric fences.
domingo, 5 de dezembro de 2010
Culture, Sovereignty, and Diversity
Today my classmates and I joined Professor Jill from PUBA for a visit at Ka’ala Farm on Waianae, West coast of Oahu. After learning more about ahupua’a and reflecting briefly on the relation between culture preservation and Hawai’i’s sovereignty, a friend made the following comment:
“It seems that Hawai’i’s sovereignty movement is less about race and more about cultural preservation. What do you think?”
Dana, I guess you are right. Observing the flow of this issue, I see many no-Hawaiians also vehemently supporting the complete independence of local political decisions from White House’s orders and tax systems. This already large and growing number of activists claim that they need to be recognized as citizens of a Nation-State because Hawaiian history and culture are fairly different from mainland’s.
I believe that an appropriate followed up question to your comment would be: “Does Hawai’i need supremacy over land to preserve indigenous culture? Also, what is culture and how it evolves?”
I understand that complete control over natural resources not necessarily lead to cultural preservation. Stalin had absolute power over agriculture; however, his sanguinary land collectivization program did not succeed in establishing a common set of Russian values, traditions, and beliefs among minority groups. By saying this, I am not implying that Kamehameha Schools plan to rule the islands as the Soviet dictator, but it seems that Hawaiian leaders are engaging in Sisyphus work to pass regulations like the Akaka Bill when the archipelago is nowadays a tremendous melting pot, as Yoko recalled. The main strength of Hawaiian contemporary culture lies exactly in the gray area where it overlaps with other traditions. Butch, our host this morning, and his devotedness for sharing Hawaiian traditions and taro, even though being haole, epitomizes how far transformational cultures can reach and deeply inspire.
As far as culture is concerned, I believe this phenomenon is continuously evolving. To illustrate, I remember vividly how each person in our class introduced him/herself this morning. The foreign students, except Eric from litigious Tibet, spoke up their respective countries' name. The Americans who were not from Hawai'i mentioned home states and sometimes city, like Rachel. And the ones who were born and raised in the islands proudly highlighted the districts where they grew up. These general and specific ways of introducing ourselves depict identity, which is inextricably linked to cultural analyzes, as a concept shaped by contrasting us from the others, by portraying a unique background before apparent similar fellows.
Differentiation is necessary for every culture to thrive. I feel more Canarinho when I am abroad. You certainly see yourself as more American when overseas, Hawaiian when travelling across mainland, Oahu resident when chatting with someone from neighbor islands, and Kaneohe passionate while debating against locals from other districts. These convenient identities we strategically assume depending on the context we are navigating are integral parts of every cultural process. We need to be different to be equal. And we are equals just because you and I have our special - and respectful - ways of perceiving and valuing things and phenomena surrounding us.
Sovereignty itself, therefore, does not preserve or forcefully helps cultures. Diversity does. The more Hawaiians understand that these islands are uncommon worldwide not only because of the fabulous weather and high living standards but mainly because of the various types of cultures that have settled here, the more indicators residents and no-residents alike will find available to compare, reinforce, and re-create their own manners to interact with tradition and modernity. As our friend James expressed on the way back to town: “My parents are Korean, I was born and raised in California, but surprisingly feel more interested in the Hawaiian culture”. This intriguing statement reveals that culture is a matter of choice, not race, that we shape by taking into account the values we have been exposed to and singular personal preferences.
Hawai’i is diverse and diversity is that preserves and appreciates the Aloha spirit within and beyond the Pacific waves.
PS. Once again, thanks for the ride, donuts, and water. Mahalo!
“It seems that Hawai’i’s sovereignty movement is less about race and more about cultural preservation. What do you think?”
Dana, I guess you are right. Observing the flow of this issue, I see many no-Hawaiians also vehemently supporting the complete independence of local political decisions from White House’s orders and tax systems. This already large and growing number of activists claim that they need to be recognized as citizens of a Nation-State because Hawaiian history and culture are fairly different from mainland’s.
I believe that an appropriate followed up question to your comment would be: “Does Hawai’i need supremacy over land to preserve indigenous culture? Also, what is culture and how it evolves?”
I understand that complete control over natural resources not necessarily lead to cultural preservation. Stalin had absolute power over agriculture; however, his sanguinary land collectivization program did not succeed in establishing a common set of Russian values, traditions, and beliefs among minority groups. By saying this, I am not implying that Kamehameha Schools plan to rule the islands as the Soviet dictator, but it seems that Hawaiian leaders are engaging in Sisyphus work to pass regulations like the Akaka Bill when the archipelago is nowadays a tremendous melting pot, as Yoko recalled. The main strength of Hawaiian contemporary culture lies exactly in the gray area where it overlaps with other traditions. Butch, our host this morning, and his devotedness for sharing Hawaiian traditions and taro, even though being haole, epitomizes how far transformational cultures can reach and deeply inspire.
As far as culture is concerned, I believe this phenomenon is continuously evolving. To illustrate, I remember vividly how each person in our class introduced him/herself this morning. The foreign students, except Eric from litigious Tibet, spoke up their respective countries' name. The Americans who were not from Hawai'i mentioned home states and sometimes city, like Rachel. And the ones who were born and raised in the islands proudly highlighted the districts where they grew up. These general and specific ways of introducing ourselves depict identity, which is inextricably linked to cultural analyzes, as a concept shaped by contrasting us from the others, by portraying a unique background before apparent similar fellows.
Differentiation is necessary for every culture to thrive. I feel more Canarinho when I am abroad. You certainly see yourself as more American when overseas, Hawaiian when travelling across mainland, Oahu resident when chatting with someone from neighbor islands, and Kaneohe passionate while debating against locals from other districts. These convenient identities we strategically assume depending on the context we are navigating are integral parts of every cultural process. We need to be different to be equal. And we are equals just because you and I have our special - and respectful - ways of perceiving and valuing things and phenomena surrounding us.
Sovereignty itself, therefore, does not preserve or forcefully helps cultures. Diversity does. The more Hawaiians understand that these islands are uncommon worldwide not only because of the fabulous weather and high living standards but mainly because of the various types of cultures that have settled here, the more indicators residents and no-residents alike will find available to compare, reinforce, and re-create their own manners to interact with tradition and modernity. As our friend James expressed on the way back to town: “My parents are Korean, I was born and raised in California, but surprisingly feel more interested in the Hawaiian culture”. This intriguing statement reveals that culture is a matter of choice, not race, that we shape by taking into account the values we have been exposed to and singular personal preferences.
Hawai’i is diverse and diversity is that preserves and appreciates the Aloha spirit within and beyond the Pacific waves.
PS. Once again, thanks for the ride, donuts, and water. Mahalo!
terça-feira, 30 de novembro de 2010
Sustainability, Culture, and Polynesian Voyage Society
A month ago I went to Sand Island to meet Nainoa Thompson. There, I joined G10, the current cohort of the Asia Pacific Leadership Program at the East-West Center.
Nainoa is the Executive Director of the Polynesian Voyage Society (PVS) and, as the main navigator of the legendary Hokule’a, he became the first Hawaiian since the 14th century to practice the art of wayfinding on long distance ocean voyages.
Hokule’a is a double-hulled voyaging canoe that the Oceanic people had used to explore the vast Pacific. In a trip to Tahiti in 1978, Eddie Aikau, the brave lifeguard, big-wave surfer, and Hokule’a’s crew member, disappeared after the canoe capsized and he paddled towards shore to look for help.
Nainoa and PVS are now preparing Hokule’a and training its crew for a worldwide voyage. The main goal of this 8-year-circumnavigation sailing venture is to raise awareness to culture revitalization and sustainable lifestyles.
Hawai’i’s people and habitat are extremely sensitive to any minor environmental change. Hokule’a's crew will explain to next generations why Hawaiians and the world population need one another to continue living together.
Children are the main target of this modern saga. This is the right strategy. I heard once from an important city planner that every policy that he had implemented and encouraged children to take ownership, social outcomes resonated profoundly among communities and turned out being perennial.
Kids from all over are expected to get on board. They will be able not only to follow the voyage through conventional media channels but also to actively interact with the crew through social media. In every harbor that Hokule’a docks, the canoe will turn into an exciting laboratory of cultural experiences, simple lifestyles, and sustainable practices.
Hokule’a’s voyage will inspire children outside classrooms and beyond computer screens. The hands-on-experience they are expected to acquire will certainly have lifelong impacts and greatly shift the way that the Digital Generation defines itself and addresses contemporary challenges.
Finding balance between virtual and real contexts, consumerism and simplicity, modernity and tradition are, therefore, the main messages that PVS, Hokule’a, and its crew will bring to every harbor and instill into the heart of every smiling face and curious eyes.
http://www.hokuleawwv.org/
Nainoa is the Executive Director of the Polynesian Voyage Society (PVS) and, as the main navigator of the legendary Hokule’a, he became the first Hawaiian since the 14th century to practice the art of wayfinding on long distance ocean voyages.
Hokule’a is a double-hulled voyaging canoe that the Oceanic people had used to explore the vast Pacific. In a trip to Tahiti in 1978, Eddie Aikau, the brave lifeguard, big-wave surfer, and Hokule’a’s crew member, disappeared after the canoe capsized and he paddled towards shore to look for help.
Nainoa and PVS are now preparing Hokule’a and training its crew for a worldwide voyage. The main goal of this 8-year-circumnavigation sailing venture is to raise awareness to culture revitalization and sustainable lifestyles.
Hawai’i’s people and habitat are extremely sensitive to any minor environmental change. Hokule’a's crew will explain to next generations why Hawaiians and the world population need one another to continue living together.
Children are the main target of this modern saga. This is the right strategy. I heard once from an important city planner that every policy that he had implemented and encouraged children to take ownership, social outcomes resonated profoundly among communities and turned out being perennial.
Kids from all over are expected to get on board. They will be able not only to follow the voyage through conventional media channels but also to actively interact with the crew through social media. In every harbor that Hokule’a docks, the canoe will turn into an exciting laboratory of cultural experiences, simple lifestyles, and sustainable practices.
Hokule’a’s voyage will inspire children outside classrooms and beyond computer screens. The hands-on-experience they are expected to acquire will certainly have lifelong impacts and greatly shift the way that the Digital Generation defines itself and addresses contemporary challenges.
Finding balance between virtual and real contexts, consumerism and simplicity, modernity and tradition are, therefore, the main messages that PVS, Hokule’a, and its crew will bring to every harbor and instill into the heart of every smiling face and curious eyes.
http://www.hokuleawwv.org/
quinta-feira, 25 de novembro de 2010
Lobby and Policy-Making
I have recently had a class about lobbying.
Honestly, my shallow and previous understanding of this activity was to be less community and more “money-oriented”.
Now, I still suspect that money - or "gift exchange"- plays an important role throughout legislature processes but also admit the importance of this activity to reinforce democratic values.
Lobby is commonly defined as having someone advocating a given cause among policy and decision-makers.
Lobbyists are hired based on their procedural knowledge, language ability, and relationships cultivated.
Private companies, for instance, pay them to mitigate damage that a bill may have on profit.
Non-governmental organizations rely on lobbyists to reach legislators by providing factual information on a certain issue. This initiative has proven to be more persuasive than presenting thousands of lists with millions of signatures of angry constituents.
The main point, however, to appreciate the work done by lobbyists is the provision of accurate figures that they introduce to policy-makers in the process of turning bills into laws.
Even well-prepared and hard worker representatives cannot be familiar with every topic they are required to read and vote. Lobbyists, from both sides – in favor and against a given bill – are the ones that decision-makers expect to hear in straightforward testimonies the advantages and disadvantages of a bill from different groups’ standpoints.
As legislators receive organized information, they are able to analyze more critically the issue on display and writing legal compositions that later on will feature more balance among the groups mostly affected by this regulation whenever enforcement is required.
Lobby, therefore, constitutes an activity that the more it is carried out by competent professionals, the more informed decisions public authorities make, and the more communities and other groups enjoy rights protected by the rule of law.
PS. Lobbyists also play an important role in helping local leaders to organize the social network of their communities. They also ensure that decision and policy-makers hear and address collective concerns in a timely manner.
Honestly, my shallow and previous understanding of this activity was to be less community and more “money-oriented”.
Now, I still suspect that money - or "gift exchange"- plays an important role throughout legislature processes but also admit the importance of this activity to reinforce democratic values.
Lobby is commonly defined as having someone advocating a given cause among policy and decision-makers.
Lobbyists are hired based on their procedural knowledge, language ability, and relationships cultivated.
Private companies, for instance, pay them to mitigate damage that a bill may have on profit.
Non-governmental organizations rely on lobbyists to reach legislators by providing factual information on a certain issue. This initiative has proven to be more persuasive than presenting thousands of lists with millions of signatures of angry constituents.
The main point, however, to appreciate the work done by lobbyists is the provision of accurate figures that they introduce to policy-makers in the process of turning bills into laws.
Even well-prepared and hard worker representatives cannot be familiar with every topic they are required to read and vote. Lobbyists, from both sides – in favor and against a given bill – are the ones that decision-makers expect to hear in straightforward testimonies the advantages and disadvantages of a bill from different groups’ standpoints.
As legislators receive organized information, they are able to analyze more critically the issue on display and writing legal compositions that later on will feature more balance among the groups mostly affected by this regulation whenever enforcement is required.
Lobby, therefore, constitutes an activity that the more it is carried out by competent professionals, the more informed decisions public authorities make, and the more communities and other groups enjoy rights protected by the rule of law.
PS. Lobbyists also play an important role in helping local leaders to organize the social network of their communities. They also ensure that decision and policy-makers hear and address collective concerns in a timely manner.
sábado, 20 de novembro de 2010
Decision-Making, Politics, and "Self"
I am highly skeptical of decision-making in politics.
I do not believe that the bulk of people that run for a public position or vote for a bill only base their decisions on the rhetorical discourse of community values and altruism.
The people who claim to be shy but decide to run for a position in Congress, for example, are more psychologically complex than blunt community oriented messages conveyed. Policy-makers that firmly believe that their votes are always independent - always abide by their conscience - ignore the great influential power of unconsciousness. This is extremely dangerous.
Unconsciousness blinds politicians and constituents to the complex reasons for idiosyncratic reactions and actions. Totalitarian states are good examples.
Principles and ethics - as well as instinction - are elements that shape our “selves” and have to be taken into account so that we can understand what is behind “survival decisions” made by the ones who are elected and work under mandates and public supervision.
Roy Lee and Terence Mitchell in the paper “The Self in Decision Making and Decision Implementation” remember us that decision-making processes are more intuitive and subjective than linear and descriptive.
The methodology of “Subjective Expected Utility”, which is the subtraction of expected positive consequences for expected negative consequences resulting in the maximization of expected utility of a decision, does not fully explain politicians’ behavior.
The “Image Theory (IT)” that Lee and Mitchell propose are more comprehensive since this approach assumes that final decisions, even the ones backed by a large sum of scientific and statistical indicators, are usually made by gut-feelings.
All of us picture ourselves in specific time and place in the future before making sound decisions. People who aspire to take over public offices are not different.
Self, trajectory, projected, and action help us understand how public authorities contradict themselves when claiming that their legislative votes are purely self-conscious, independent, and always collective and future oriented.
Self is our set of principles. Trajectory, the agenda of goals. Projected, the timetable; and action, the roster of plans.
Let’s analyze the components of IT in the context of environmental issues.
Supposing that “preserving the environment for future generations” is the principle, that “deforestation, clean energy, and national parks” the trajectories, “ten years” the projected time, and “taxes and regulations” the actions.
Having these elements in play, how does the IT of this politician look like? How does this image end up affecting personal and collective unconscious decision-making process?
A tip to answer these difficult questions is asking why, what, and how.
Why does this politician have created this IT?
What do constituents think about that?
How does s/he benefit from decisions based on the image created?
Once we formulate these answers we take a step forward to become more cautious about political speeches, less easily convinced, and more analytical before altruistic rhetoric.
“Survival”, finally, seems to be a simple biological concept to grasp but in the context of “self” reveals how many contradictory motivations are behind every political decision.
I do not believe that the bulk of people that run for a public position or vote for a bill only base their decisions on the rhetorical discourse of community values and altruism.
The people who claim to be shy but decide to run for a position in Congress, for example, are more psychologically complex than blunt community oriented messages conveyed. Policy-makers that firmly believe that their votes are always independent - always abide by their conscience - ignore the great influential power of unconsciousness. This is extremely dangerous.
Unconsciousness blinds politicians and constituents to the complex reasons for idiosyncratic reactions and actions. Totalitarian states are good examples.
Principles and ethics - as well as instinction - are elements that shape our “selves” and have to be taken into account so that we can understand what is behind “survival decisions” made by the ones who are elected and work under mandates and public supervision.
Roy Lee and Terence Mitchell in the paper “The Self in Decision Making and Decision Implementation” remember us that decision-making processes are more intuitive and subjective than linear and descriptive.
The methodology of “Subjective Expected Utility”, which is the subtraction of expected positive consequences for expected negative consequences resulting in the maximization of expected utility of a decision, does not fully explain politicians’ behavior.
The “Image Theory (IT)” that Lee and Mitchell propose are more comprehensive since this approach assumes that final decisions, even the ones backed by a large sum of scientific and statistical indicators, are usually made by gut-feelings.
All of us picture ourselves in specific time and place in the future before making sound decisions. People who aspire to take over public offices are not different.
Self, trajectory, projected, and action help us understand how public authorities contradict themselves when claiming that their legislative votes are purely self-conscious, independent, and always collective and future oriented.
Self is our set of principles. Trajectory, the agenda of goals. Projected, the timetable; and action, the roster of plans.
Let’s analyze the components of IT in the context of environmental issues.
Supposing that “preserving the environment for future generations” is the principle, that “deforestation, clean energy, and national parks” the trajectories, “ten years” the projected time, and “taxes and regulations” the actions.
Having these elements in play, how does the IT of this politician look like? How does this image end up affecting personal and collective unconscious decision-making process?
A tip to answer these difficult questions is asking why, what, and how.
Why does this politician have created this IT?
What do constituents think about that?
How does s/he benefit from decisions based on the image created?
Once we formulate these answers we take a step forward to become more cautious about political speeches, less easily convinced, and more analytical before altruistic rhetoric.
“Survival”, finally, seems to be a simple biological concept to grasp but in the context of “self” reveals how many contradictory motivations are behind every political decision.
terça-feira, 16 de novembro de 2010
Narratives, Institutions, and the Environment
I watched last Wednesday, November 10th, two short documentaries. As images appeared, I asked myself the following question: what is the role of narratives, institutions, and the environment in contemporary societies?
Narratives are powerful. They can either change behavior by inspiring and mobilizing communities or reinforce beliefs rooted in historical patronage and subservient relations.
In the documentary “Sliding Liberia”, two passages struck me. When a young Liberian revealed that watching a boy “sliding” waves had inspired him and the whole community to fight for change and when a lady affirmed that Liberia did not need politicians but foreign visitors.
The idea behind the first statement is that inspiration comes mainly from watching people who look alike doing great things. The social identification that a community has with an individual that presents similar physical and cultural backgrounds is higher than in relation with aliens, as defined Tajfel in his social identity theory. That is why a local boy surfing rather than a visitor resonates more profoundly in communal hearts and minds.
The second point, the one expressed by the lady who said that institutions are needless, revealed the noble belief that Liberians have on shaping the future. However, this passage, if interpreted radically, poses a threat to social stability by not encouraging the establishment and reform of local institutions. Extrapolating, hopelessness in local leadership may end up conceding political power to foreigners from who are expected to introduce better practices and bring in strong currencies.
Change comes from inside. The people who live in a piece of land have priceless connection to indigenous values, tradition, and history. If the process is inverted, insiders passively expect benevolences from outsiders or outsiders mistakenly end up believing that they are uniquely responsible for insiders’ well-being. In both cases, if local communities do not mobilize, internal - mainly economic and cultural - problems tend to aggravate. The dependency mindset that permeates the decisions of people from colonized countries partially explains this logic. This detrimental rationale is addressed when organized changes come from within the borders, as defended by Taiaiake Alfred in "Wasáse".
The second documentary ”180 South” also made me wonder on the issue of narrative and its role in shaping perspectives mainly in the relationship between settlers and colonized, humans and nature.
Once again, like Robinson Crusoe’s tale, the storyline of a navigator adrift and later in a remote island running into an indigenous beauty who shows him the hidden natural treasures of an isolated society and the purity of living in close connection and energy exchange with the environment portrays a view of the Eden, the idyllic setting of Adam and Eve.
On the one hand, this narrative reinforces the negative aspects of urban societies by contrasting the lives of an adventurer urban guy with of a beauty rural girl. On the other, it implies that one has to be isolated to lead a life free from daily rat race stress most prevalent in urban agglomeration.
In the second documentary, I also enjoyed the citation to the book “Collapse”, from Jared Diamond, affirming that the reason for Eastern Island people had ended their civilization was the overexploitation of natural resources. Also, that industrialized societies seemed not to have learned from past mistakes since we have not yet come up with sustainable living systems.
Concerning this passage what struck me was the confusion between nature and the
environment. Nature forces are independent from human actions. Life and Rapa Nui continued existing once humans destroyed themselves, as professed the evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould. The environment, for its part, is the outcome of an intrinsic relation between humans and surroundings. Our decisions end up affecting, for better or worse, our lives. Humans do not have control over nature, only over the environment. As Diamond said, Rapa Nui civilization collapsed because there was a great environmental - not natural - disequilibrium.
Finally, these two documentaries showed me once again the importance of organizations like Surfrider Foundation in raising awareness and building a prosper future by mobilizing communities to positively act towards environmental issues and by creating empirical narratives that inspire next generations. Change is grassroots: We plant, water every day, for our grandchildren to reap and taste sweet fruit tomorrow.
Narratives are powerful. They can either change behavior by inspiring and mobilizing communities or reinforce beliefs rooted in historical patronage and subservient relations.
In the documentary “Sliding Liberia”, two passages struck me. When a young Liberian revealed that watching a boy “sliding” waves had inspired him and the whole community to fight for change and when a lady affirmed that Liberia did not need politicians but foreign visitors.
The idea behind the first statement is that inspiration comes mainly from watching people who look alike doing great things. The social identification that a community has with an individual that presents similar physical and cultural backgrounds is higher than in relation with aliens, as defined Tajfel in his social identity theory. That is why a local boy surfing rather than a visitor resonates more profoundly in communal hearts and minds.
The second point, the one expressed by the lady who said that institutions are needless, revealed the noble belief that Liberians have on shaping the future. However, this passage, if interpreted radically, poses a threat to social stability by not encouraging the establishment and reform of local institutions. Extrapolating, hopelessness in local leadership may end up conceding political power to foreigners from who are expected to introduce better practices and bring in strong currencies.
Change comes from inside. The people who live in a piece of land have priceless connection to indigenous values, tradition, and history. If the process is inverted, insiders passively expect benevolences from outsiders or outsiders mistakenly end up believing that they are uniquely responsible for insiders’ well-being. In both cases, if local communities do not mobilize, internal - mainly economic and cultural - problems tend to aggravate. The dependency mindset that permeates the decisions of people from colonized countries partially explains this logic. This detrimental rationale is addressed when organized changes come from within the borders, as defended by Taiaiake Alfred in "Wasáse".
The second documentary ”180 South” also made me wonder on the issue of narrative and its role in shaping perspectives mainly in the relationship between settlers and colonized, humans and nature.
Once again, like Robinson Crusoe’s tale, the storyline of a navigator adrift and later in a remote island running into an indigenous beauty who shows him the hidden natural treasures of an isolated society and the purity of living in close connection and energy exchange with the environment portrays a view of the Eden, the idyllic setting of Adam and Eve.
On the one hand, this narrative reinforces the negative aspects of urban societies by contrasting the lives of an adventurer urban guy with of a beauty rural girl. On the other, it implies that one has to be isolated to lead a life free from daily rat race stress most prevalent in urban agglomeration.
In the second documentary, I also enjoyed the citation to the book “Collapse”, from Jared Diamond, affirming that the reason for Eastern Island people had ended their civilization was the overexploitation of natural resources. Also, that industrialized societies seemed not to have learned from past mistakes since we have not yet come up with sustainable living systems.
Concerning this passage what struck me was the confusion between nature and the
environment. Nature forces are independent from human actions. Life and Rapa Nui continued existing once humans destroyed themselves, as professed the evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould. The environment, for its part, is the outcome of an intrinsic relation between humans and surroundings. Our decisions end up affecting, for better or worse, our lives. Humans do not have control over nature, only over the environment. As Diamond said, Rapa Nui civilization collapsed because there was a great environmental - not natural - disequilibrium.
Finally, these two documentaries showed me once again the importance of organizations like Surfrider Foundation in raising awareness and building a prosper future by mobilizing communities to positively act towards environmental issues and by creating empirical narratives that inspire next generations. Change is grassroots: We plant, water every day, for our grandchildren to reap and taste sweet fruit tomorrow.
segunda-feira, 8 de novembro de 2010
Politics and Planning
Most politicians are crisis managers. They wait for events to emerge – or streams converge, as Jill pointed out - before deciding to move forward. A reason for this strategy is boosting popularity by addressing issues that the press has been largely covering and the population is very sensitive about. This public act aims to reduce the political cost of advocating for structural changes by preventing constituents from seeing leaders as demagogue futurists or careless administrators towards actual and urgent social issues.
The recent mine event in Chile illustrates the idea above. After spending many days trapped underground, the life of the 30 miners started being scrutinized by the national and international media. The event soon attracted a large TV audience and readers and viewers started following the news like avid soap opera fans. On the rescue day, journalists from all over packed the benches located around the mine. Once the operation successfully finished, the president promised to carry out an extensive reform of the labor conditions to guarantee that no more labors would risk their lives at work sites. The popularity of the president went sky high as the Chileans applauded this “noble” - and political timing - effort.
However, other professionals who work for the collective good consider that politics is more than providing immediate responses to crisis. Public administration is about planning and anticipating disasters that are likely to cause social damage. These types of leaders usually tap into statistics, scientific studies, and narratives to raise awareness for latent problems and, as a result, to reduce the political cost of addressing a problem that has not yet deeply affected the social well-being or hit the news.
City authorities of Hamburg in Germany are literally rising up the city based on the likelihood of sea-level rise. These policy-makers have convinced the electorate that large investments today in infrastructure would avoid greater problems tomorrow. The political instrument for this initiative without putting at risk the political power of the legislator was partnering with the media to raise awareness and come up with different scenarios to the issue. The people of Hamburg, therefore, were convinced that they would be better-off if investments were not put off.
In conclusion, politicians are expected to be crisis managers as well as urban planners. The population pays taxes to make sure that current issues will be addressed but also that predictable problems are addressed. I once heard from an authority the following: “In Hawai’i, be prepared, in October, natural disasters always happen”. S/he forgot, however, to define the problem and the preparation for these disasters. We, public administrators, are expected to have these answers.
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/011536.html
The recent mine event in Chile illustrates the idea above. After spending many days trapped underground, the life of the 30 miners started being scrutinized by the national and international media. The event soon attracted a large TV audience and readers and viewers started following the news like avid soap opera fans. On the rescue day, journalists from all over packed the benches located around the mine. Once the operation successfully finished, the president promised to carry out an extensive reform of the labor conditions to guarantee that no more labors would risk their lives at work sites. The popularity of the president went sky high as the Chileans applauded this “noble” - and political timing - effort.
However, other professionals who work for the collective good consider that politics is more than providing immediate responses to crisis. Public administration is about planning and anticipating disasters that are likely to cause social damage. These types of leaders usually tap into statistics, scientific studies, and narratives to raise awareness for latent problems and, as a result, to reduce the political cost of addressing a problem that has not yet deeply affected the social well-being or hit the news.
City authorities of Hamburg in Germany are literally rising up the city based on the likelihood of sea-level rise. These policy-makers have convinced the electorate that large investments today in infrastructure would avoid greater problems tomorrow. The political instrument for this initiative without putting at risk the political power of the legislator was partnering with the media to raise awareness and come up with different scenarios to the issue. The people of Hamburg, therefore, were convinced that they would be better-off if investments were not put off.
In conclusion, politicians are expected to be crisis managers as well as urban planners. The population pays taxes to make sure that current issues will be addressed but also that predictable problems are addressed. I once heard from an authority the following: “In Hawai’i, be prepared, in October, natural disasters always happen”. S/he forgot, however, to define the problem and the preparation for these disasters. We, public administrators, are expected to have these answers.
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/011536.html
Equality and Aristotle
Aristotle understands that justice depends on “treating equally what is equal and differently what is unequal, to the extent of the inequality”.
I am not sure whether the Greek philosopher’s proportional equality concept inspired John F. Kennedy but when the US President coined the term “affirmative action” in 1961 he was translating into policies the Aristotelian aphorism.
In the context of African American Civil Rights Movement, Kennedy’s speech aimed the mitigation of racial discrimination.
Race, color, religion, sex, and nationality were then recognized as prevalent stereotypes in institutional and individual decision-making processes that prevented certain groups from having the same access to opportunities than other people.
The US government, thus, allocated few slots for capable representatives of these marginalized groups at educational and governmental institutions. Other countries followed suit.
Canada incorporated the law into the federal legislation embracing even further the country’s famous multicultural approach towards women, the disabled, and indigenous groups.
Brazilian tertiary institutes, largely dominated by Caucasians, earmarked some vacancies exclusively for Afro-descendants.
New Zealand reinforced the revival of local culture by implementing a wide array of political and educational actions to train policy-makers and teachers in Maori language.
The ones who criticize the “unequal treatment to unequals” not only ignore positive implications deriving from the actions mentioned but also claim that affirmative action results in reverse discrimination.
The establishment that politically and economically represents the equal class, however, fails to acknowledge their own biases and prejudices towards certain groups and how “blind spots” end up affecting the welfare of the society as a whole.
Inequality leads to acute social tensions and a contemporary “Tragedy of the Commons” looms large if bounty and burdens are not collectively shared.
Aristotle, therefore, raises a relevant point to public administrators from which society expects the implementation of policies that promote less equality “de jure” and more “de facto”.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/equality/
I am not sure whether the Greek philosopher’s proportional equality concept inspired John F. Kennedy but when the US President coined the term “affirmative action” in 1961 he was translating into policies the Aristotelian aphorism.
In the context of African American Civil Rights Movement, Kennedy’s speech aimed the mitigation of racial discrimination.
Race, color, religion, sex, and nationality were then recognized as prevalent stereotypes in institutional and individual decision-making processes that prevented certain groups from having the same access to opportunities than other people.
The US government, thus, allocated few slots for capable representatives of these marginalized groups at educational and governmental institutions. Other countries followed suit.
Canada incorporated the law into the federal legislation embracing even further the country’s famous multicultural approach towards women, the disabled, and indigenous groups.
Brazilian tertiary institutes, largely dominated by Caucasians, earmarked some vacancies exclusively for Afro-descendants.
New Zealand reinforced the revival of local culture by implementing a wide array of political and educational actions to train policy-makers and teachers in Maori language.
The ones who criticize the “unequal treatment to unequals” not only ignore positive implications deriving from the actions mentioned but also claim that affirmative action results in reverse discrimination.
The establishment that politically and economically represents the equal class, however, fails to acknowledge their own biases and prejudices towards certain groups and how “blind spots” end up affecting the welfare of the society as a whole.
Inequality leads to acute social tensions and a contemporary “Tragedy of the Commons” looms large if bounty and burdens are not collectively shared.
Aristotle, therefore, raises a relevant point to public administrators from which society expects the implementation of policies that promote less equality “de jure” and more “de facto”.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/equality/
Politics and Churchill
When Jill said at the beginning of last class, “this political module expects to prepare you to understand how politicians operate by taking into account their principles or interests”, I immediately recalled Churchill’s hidden strategy against Hitler during WWII.
In the book “Churchill’s Deception”, Louis Kilzer gathered documents to affirm that millions of lives could have been saved if Churchill had agreed to sign a peace treaty with Germany.
Churchill had not only declined the Nazi proposal but had also not given any guarantee that would not take advantage of a possible civil war that would certainly emerge in case German generals ousted “der Führer” from power.
“Sir Prime Minister” had vivid remembrances of German troops controlling neighboring territories at the time of WWI armistice. Churchill reckoned that this “imaginary victory” made Germans believe they had actually defeated their adversaries and, therefore, a second one would be later necessary to prove that Germans should not have signed the unjust and excessive Treaty of Versailles.
Having this in mind, Churchill blatantly ignored Hitler’s efforts to sign a bilateral peace agreement expecting that Germany would become weaker by having no other option than fighting in two fronts. As a result of this strategy, belligerents extended WWII for few more years stealing millions more lives, especially in the former Soviet Union.
The ones who argue that Churchill made the right decision usually point out the end of a Nazi state and intolerance towards minorities whereas the ones against the English Prime Minister highlight that lives were unnecessarily lost and England, even being in the winner side, would no longer enjoy the prestige of a 19th century empire.
But my question considering this scenario is: How public administrators and everyone who deals with politicians on a regular basis can identify principles and interests that are deliberately disguised?
I believe that had Hitler been aware of the insights “Clearing the Past” and “Struggling for Power” elucidated by James Redfield on “The Celestine Prophecy” he would have quickly grasped the reason for Churchill’s blank responses and, more importantly, the dominating British Empire nostalgia.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1839087.Churchill_s_Deception
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13103.The_Celestine_Prophecy
In the book “Churchill’s Deception”, Louis Kilzer gathered documents to affirm that millions of lives could have been saved if Churchill had agreed to sign a peace treaty with Germany.
Churchill had not only declined the Nazi proposal but had also not given any guarantee that would not take advantage of a possible civil war that would certainly emerge in case German generals ousted “der Führer” from power.
“Sir Prime Minister” had vivid remembrances of German troops controlling neighboring territories at the time of WWI armistice. Churchill reckoned that this “imaginary victory” made Germans believe they had actually defeated their adversaries and, therefore, a second one would be later necessary to prove that Germans should not have signed the unjust and excessive Treaty of Versailles.
Having this in mind, Churchill blatantly ignored Hitler’s efforts to sign a bilateral peace agreement expecting that Germany would become weaker by having no other option than fighting in two fronts. As a result of this strategy, belligerents extended WWII for few more years stealing millions more lives, especially in the former Soviet Union.
The ones who argue that Churchill made the right decision usually point out the end of a Nazi state and intolerance towards minorities whereas the ones against the English Prime Minister highlight that lives were unnecessarily lost and England, even being in the winner side, would no longer enjoy the prestige of a 19th century empire.
But my question considering this scenario is: How public administrators and everyone who deals with politicians on a regular basis can identify principles and interests that are deliberately disguised?
I believe that had Hitler been aware of the insights “Clearing the Past” and “Struggling for Power” elucidated by James Redfield on “The Celestine Prophecy” he would have quickly grasped the reason for Churchill’s blank responses and, more importantly, the dominating British Empire nostalgia.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1839087.Churchill_s_Deception
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13103.The_Celestine_Prophecy
Geopolitics and China
Hillary Clinton is in Honolulu – again.
What brings the head of the State Department to the islands since she was here last January? Moreover, why Obama administration hastily chose Honolulu to host the next APEC?
Indifferent to geopolitics and veiled interests, a friend of mine, an experienced local real estate agent, may have the answers. He told me recently: “I sold cash four houses last week. This has never happened before. Plus, the investors paid 15% more than the market price. If you skim the last name of owners of Waikiki condos, you will be surprise to see that almost half of them are Chinese.”
In this context of increasing investments coming from the Middle Kingdom, what is the responsibility of public administrators? Learn Mandarin? Study Confucianism principles? Or advocate for policies and business models that further attract and diversify long-term foreign direct investments (FDI)?
Orville Schell, the director of the Center on US-China relations at the Asia Society, answers the last question by stating that planners and public authorities must take action now to avoid Chinese FDI ending up somewhere else than within US borders.
Perhaps this partially explains why Hillary is back – apart from the breeze, of course.
http://www.eastwestcenter.org/
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/oschell21/English
What brings the head of the State Department to the islands since she was here last January? Moreover, why Obama administration hastily chose Honolulu to host the next APEC?
Indifferent to geopolitics and veiled interests, a friend of mine, an experienced local real estate agent, may have the answers. He told me recently: “I sold cash four houses last week. This has never happened before. Plus, the investors paid 15% more than the market price. If you skim the last name of owners of Waikiki condos, you will be surprise to see that almost half of them are Chinese.”
In this context of increasing investments coming from the Middle Kingdom, what is the responsibility of public administrators? Learn Mandarin? Study Confucianism principles? Or advocate for policies and business models that further attract and diversify long-term foreign direct investments (FDI)?
Orville Schell, the director of the Center on US-China relations at the Asia Society, answers the last question by stating that planners and public authorities must take action now to avoid Chinese FDI ending up somewhere else than within US borders.
Perhaps this partially explains why Hillary is back – apart from the breeze, of course.
http://www.eastwestcenter.org/
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/oschell21/English
Politics and The Massie Case
A local friend suggested “Shoal of Time” from Gavan Daws to make me familiar with the Hawaiian history.
I just finished reading subtopic “The Honolulu Martydom”, pages 317-327, which describes the well-known Massie case.
As lines passed by, I asked myself the following question based on Jill’s class last night on “Scope of Conflict”:
“Would this police case have had a different turn out if the Star Bulletin and Iolani Palace were controlled by ethnic groups other than the former “status quo”?
I strongly believe that if visibility, elasticity, and fluidity were at the hands of Ahakuelo’s, Ida’s, and Chang’s groups, the life of Kahahawai would have been saved.
A summary of the case can be found at:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Oct/14/op/op03a.html
I just finished reading subtopic “The Honolulu Martydom”, pages 317-327, which describes the well-known Massie case.
As lines passed by, I asked myself the following question based on Jill’s class last night on “Scope of Conflict”:
“Would this police case have had a different turn out if the Star Bulletin and Iolani Palace were controlled by ethnic groups other than the former “status quo”?
I strongly believe that if visibility, elasticity, and fluidity were at the hands of Ahakuelo’s, Ida’s, and Chang’s groups, the life of Kahahawai would have been saved.
A summary of the case can be found at:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2001/Oct/14/op/op03a.html
Politics and Kant
As political module started as well as the discussion of the role of government in our societies, I have reflected on the main idea of “Critique of Pure Reason” from Immanuel Kant.
The Prussian philosopher from the 18th century for long pondered on the relation between knowledge and experience.
Rationalists believe that knowledge is acquired by pure reason whereas empiricists state that knowledge relies on experience.
Kant builds a bridge between this endless debate.
Pure reason indeed expands understandings and experience plays an important role when it comes to interpreting reality.
In this context, our mind organizes information and constructs thoughts based on temporal progression, time and space perceptions, and causation.
These human skills, however, only allow us to interpret phenomena. We cannot grasp noumena, things-in-themselves.
Being aware of our cognitive limitations, what is the role of governments and public administrators?
According to Kantian theses, we should utilize our mental faculties for coming up with solutions for social problems that require a balance between pure reason and experience.
For instance, a task force addressing housing issues cannot rely solely on experiences from other localities but should also encourage inputs originating from rational insights.
The latter is what I recognize as “da Vinci’s spark”.
I have seen many cities around the world unsuccessfully trying to address urban problems based exclusively on best practices and lessons learned from other places.
I have also witnessed the failure of projects of million dollars due to lack of creativity and innovation.
It seems to me that one of the great challenges of public administrators is drawing a line between knowledge and experience and be able to walk over it without losing balance and falling off.
As Kant said “reason without applying it to experience will only lead to illusions while experience will be purely subjective without first being subsumed under pure reason”.
PS. A summary of Kant’s “pure reason” ideas can be found at:
http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/kant/section1.html
The Prussian philosopher from the 18th century for long pondered on the relation between knowledge and experience.
Rationalists believe that knowledge is acquired by pure reason whereas empiricists state that knowledge relies on experience.
Kant builds a bridge between this endless debate.
Pure reason indeed expands understandings and experience plays an important role when it comes to interpreting reality.
In this context, our mind organizes information and constructs thoughts based on temporal progression, time and space perceptions, and causation.
These human skills, however, only allow us to interpret phenomena. We cannot grasp noumena, things-in-themselves.
Being aware of our cognitive limitations, what is the role of governments and public administrators?
According to Kantian theses, we should utilize our mental faculties for coming up with solutions for social problems that require a balance between pure reason and experience.
For instance, a task force addressing housing issues cannot rely solely on experiences from other localities but should also encourage inputs originating from rational insights.
The latter is what I recognize as “da Vinci’s spark”.
I have seen many cities around the world unsuccessfully trying to address urban problems based exclusively on best practices and lessons learned from other places.
I have also witnessed the failure of projects of million dollars due to lack of creativity and innovation.
It seems to me that one of the great challenges of public administrators is drawing a line between knowledge and experience and be able to walk over it without losing balance and falling off.
As Kant said “reason without applying it to experience will only lead to illusions while experience will be purely subjective without first being subsumed under pure reason”.
PS. A summary of Kant’s “pure reason” ideas can be found at:
http://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/kant/section1.html
Economics and Innovation
I picked up friends at the airport last Friday and spent part of the time stuck in traffic wondering how Chris’ classes would help partially address this public problem.
Today I came across this online debate over “light rail transit in Honolulu” and ended up writing the text below. Looking forward to hearing from your perspectives.
Cheers,
http://www.808talk.com/2008/06/19/start-or-stop-light-rail-transit-in-honolulu-you-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-259531
I have seen on freeways many cars with only the driver in them. I wonder what it would be if drivers had given a ride to other commuters and half of these vehicles occupying every centimeter of public areas would have stayed home. There would certainly be more space allowing traffic to flow faster. The question, however, is: How to encourage drivers to give rides to other people? Which structure would be necessary to implement this idea? Can technical issues be addressed?
My answer for these questions is “Yes”. There is a way to encourage drivers to give rides. The system required is significantly less costly than investments in public transportation systems. Technical problems would be solved by tapping into state-of-the-art technology and providing training to police officers. The solution is the combination of tax incentives with an extensive network of smart park meters.
A short narrative illustrates this proposal.
John gives a ride to Paul in the morning. Before getting into John’s car, a park meter reads Paul’s and John’s cards. On the way, John picks up Maria. Maria’s and John’s cards are also read by a close meter. John arrives downtown and drops off Paul. Paul’s and John’s cards are read by another smart park meter. Maria’s card is also read after being drop off in front of the building where she works. John arrives at his office and checks online how many kilometers he has saved by preventing two cars being out on the streets that morning and how much he has contributed to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and global rising temperatures. Finally, John checks how much credit he has just earned and predicts further financial gains through tax reductions in the next fiscal year or monthly deposits in his bank account.
Today I came across this online debate over “light rail transit in Honolulu” and ended up writing the text below. Looking forward to hearing from your perspectives.
Cheers,
http://www.808talk.com/2008/06/19/start-or-stop-light-rail-transit-in-honolulu-you-decide/comment-page-1/#comment-259531
I have seen on freeways many cars with only the driver in them. I wonder what it would be if drivers had given a ride to other commuters and half of these vehicles occupying every centimeter of public areas would have stayed home. There would certainly be more space allowing traffic to flow faster. The question, however, is: How to encourage drivers to give rides to other people? Which structure would be necessary to implement this idea? Can technical issues be addressed?
My answer for these questions is “Yes”. There is a way to encourage drivers to give rides. The system required is significantly less costly than investments in public transportation systems. Technical problems would be solved by tapping into state-of-the-art technology and providing training to police officers. The solution is the combination of tax incentives with an extensive network of smart park meters.
A short narrative illustrates this proposal.
John gives a ride to Paul in the morning. Before getting into John’s car, a park meter reads Paul’s and John’s cards. On the way, John picks up Maria. Maria’s and John’s cards are also read by a close meter. John arrives downtown and drops off Paul. Paul’s and John’s cards are read by another smart park meter. Maria’s card is also read after being drop off in front of the building where she works. John arrives at his office and checks online how many kilometers he has saved by preventing two cars being out on the streets that morning and how much he has contributed to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and global rising temperatures. Finally, John checks how much credit he has just earned and predicts further financial gains through tax reductions in the next fiscal year or monthly deposits in his bank account.
Economics and Decision-Making
"Reference Class-Forecasting" is a model created by Daniel Kanehman, 2002 Nobel prize awardee for studies on Behavioral Economics.
Like the concepts learned in Economic Module, Kanehman's methodology help public administrators make better decisions by providing tools to correct false predictions generated by overoptimism.
To come up with a down-to-earth forecast, one has to go through five steps.
First, identify a similar example and then compare similarities and differences of every variable.
Second, organize the outcomes of this example - reference - by distributing extremes, median, and clusters.
Third, make predictions of your venture - this is the time when overoptimism usually takes over - and place them in the reference outcome distribution.
Fourth, create a forecast scale for various events.
Fifth, place your prediction in the scale created and adjust irrationality in order to work based on and towards realistic objectives.
More about this decision-making process methodolgy at:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3630.html
Like the concepts learned in Economic Module, Kanehman's methodology help public administrators make better decisions by providing tools to correct false predictions generated by overoptimism.
To come up with a down-to-earth forecast, one has to go through five steps.
First, identify a similar example and then compare similarities and differences of every variable.
Second, organize the outcomes of this example - reference - by distributing extremes, median, and clusters.
Third, make predictions of your venture - this is the time when overoptimism usually takes over - and place them in the reference outcome distribution.
Fourth, create a forecast scale for various events.
Fifth, place your prediction in the scale created and adjust irrationality in order to work based on and towards realistic objectives.
More about this decision-making process methodolgy at:
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/3630.html
Communication and Innovation
As Christine mentioned twice the word "innovation" yesterday
and I just received an email from a friend suggesting links
and a book about this topic,
forward his message.
Cheers,
http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from.html
PS. In short, bring together experts
so that they can connect, share, and find creative solutions
to complex problems.
PS. Edge is also a great site to tangle ideas.
http://www.edge.org/
and I just received an email from a friend suggesting links
and a book about this topic,
forward his message.
Cheers,
http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_johnson_where_good_ideas_come_from.html
PS. In short, bring together experts
so that they can connect, share, and find creative solutions
to complex problems.
PS. Edge is also a great site to tangle ideas.
http://www.edge.org/
Prebisch and Economics
Following-up on last class, I'd like to touch on the dependency theory created by the Argentinian economist Raul Prebisch.
His country had specialized in exporting beef and Argentinians were clearly better-off while tapping into their natural and labor competitive advantages.
After the Great Depression, however, the US, the main client, drastically reduced the import of beef.
As trade stopped and fellow "hermanos" relied largely on a single commodity for attracting strong currencies, the economy plummeted.
Now clearly worse-off, Argentinians and their main economist, hitherto a great supporter of Ricardo's theory, changed position.
From now on they stated that developing countries should diversify their export basket of products by promoting industrialization.
High import and export rates, great amount of subsidies and controlled exchange rates were few macroeconomic tools used by Latin American leaders for protecting national economies and incentive state enterprises.
Brazil, for example, took for granted Prebisch's every word and ended up experiencing the second great economic growth worldwide from 1930 to 1990. Argentina's economy had also established its plants by La Plata basin.
Although protectionism mechanisms helped diversify the economy, products and services began losing competitiveness in the international market.
Public administrators in Latin America realized then that a strong regulated market prevented national economies from importing more efficient machinery in order to come up with innovative production systems.
At the same time, state companies have proved to be fairly less competitive and burdensome financially than multinational conglomerates from the developed world.
Quickly falling behind the rich, poor nations struggled in the 1980s and 1990s, years known as "lost decades".
Late 1980s, Argentinians tried to stimulate the economy by following International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s advice, The Washington Consensus, and opened up its economy again, heavily reduced taxs and subsidies, converted one peso to one dollar, and Maradona's fans turned out being better off once again.
However, early 2000s, and after experiencing a rapid deindustrialization process and not carrying out any significant political reform, Argentinians were hit by a financial collapse that ousted four presidents from office in one month.
Fellow "muchachos" were clearly worse-off again.
Meanwhile, Brazil had not followed IMF free trade dogma as strictly as neighbors and that is why we were not as badly hit as our soccer rival by a domestic financial crisis.
However, the giant of South America, although had privatized some inneficient state companies, had not done either any political reform to make the State better prepared to respond to the great competitiveness of the international market of goods and services.
Right now Brazil's economy hits the news as an example of resilience after 2008 US Housing financial crisis and Argentina is still trying to catch up with living standards late 1980s.
The lessons I take from these dramatic macroeconomic experiences are that free market is indeed a powerful phenomenon and mechanism for creating wealth and bringing in cutting edge technology but I also understand that governments play a crucial role in allocating resources efficiently and selecting national competitive advantages as well as ensuring that political reforms take place and national agencies meet contemporary challenges.
Tsu, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Richelieu, Metternich, Clausewitz, Bismarck, Kissinger, Gaulle, Morgenthau, and Bull dream with a world of order and peace but, in every opportunity, urged public administrators to keep a realistic approach towards the international market since in the context of fierce competition for scarce resources decision-makers prioritize sovereignty and national security over ideology and ethical concerns.
PS. This is a brief article containing Prebisch's ideas.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_dependencia.html
His country had specialized in exporting beef and Argentinians were clearly better-off while tapping into their natural and labor competitive advantages.
After the Great Depression, however, the US, the main client, drastically reduced the import of beef.
As trade stopped and fellow "hermanos" relied largely on a single commodity for attracting strong currencies, the economy plummeted.
Now clearly worse-off, Argentinians and their main economist, hitherto a great supporter of Ricardo's theory, changed position.
From now on they stated that developing countries should diversify their export basket of products by promoting industrialization.
High import and export rates, great amount of subsidies and controlled exchange rates were few macroeconomic tools used by Latin American leaders for protecting national economies and incentive state enterprises.
Brazil, for example, took for granted Prebisch's every word and ended up experiencing the second great economic growth worldwide from 1930 to 1990. Argentina's economy had also established its plants by La Plata basin.
Although protectionism mechanisms helped diversify the economy, products and services began losing competitiveness in the international market.
Public administrators in Latin America realized then that a strong regulated market prevented national economies from importing more efficient machinery in order to come up with innovative production systems.
At the same time, state companies have proved to be fairly less competitive and burdensome financially than multinational conglomerates from the developed world.
Quickly falling behind the rich, poor nations struggled in the 1980s and 1990s, years known as "lost decades".
Late 1980s, Argentinians tried to stimulate the economy by following International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s advice, The Washington Consensus, and opened up its economy again, heavily reduced taxs and subsidies, converted one peso to one dollar, and Maradona's fans turned out being better off once again.
However, early 2000s, and after experiencing a rapid deindustrialization process and not carrying out any significant political reform, Argentinians were hit by a financial collapse that ousted four presidents from office in one month.
Fellow "muchachos" were clearly worse-off again.
Meanwhile, Brazil had not followed IMF free trade dogma as strictly as neighbors and that is why we were not as badly hit as our soccer rival by a domestic financial crisis.
However, the giant of South America, although had privatized some inneficient state companies, had not done either any political reform to make the State better prepared to respond to the great competitiveness of the international market of goods and services.
Right now Brazil's economy hits the news as an example of resilience after 2008 US Housing financial crisis and Argentina is still trying to catch up with living standards late 1980s.
The lessons I take from these dramatic macroeconomic experiences are that free market is indeed a powerful phenomenon and mechanism for creating wealth and bringing in cutting edge technology but I also understand that governments play a crucial role in allocating resources efficiently and selecting national competitive advantages as well as ensuring that political reforms take place and national agencies meet contemporary challenges.
Tsu, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Richelieu, Metternich, Clausewitz, Bismarck, Kissinger, Gaulle, Morgenthau, and Bull dream with a world of order and peace but, in every opportunity, urged public administrators to keep a realistic approach towards the international market since in the context of fierce competition for scarce resources decision-makers prioritize sovereignty and national security over ideology and ethical concerns.
PS. This is a brief article containing Prebisch's ideas.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_dependencia.html
Strauss and Communication
As we have discussed "cognitive dissonance", "empathy conversation", "personal rifts", "cultural contexts", and "commited openess" in various forms of communication fields I recalled the classes of Levis-Strauss, the French anthropologist who adapted the linguistic concept of structuralism to human rationale.
Strauss stated that our daily conversations are dependent upon identifying similar and contrast points in relation with our counterpart's words and emotions.
Similarities and differences constitute the basis of our personal structures and end up shaping respective cultures.
Strauss assumed that this binary/dichotomous intellectual process is universal and synchronic, independent from historical evolution.
What personally strikes me in this Strauss's theory is the quest for depicting human behavior through universal rules rather than compartmented by cultural lenses/analyses.
Strauss passed away last year at the age of 100 years old.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/04/levi.strauss.anthropologist/
PS. My favorite Strauss' book is "Tristes Tropiques". Although little confusing, I highly recommend to the ones interested in reflecting on seminal ideas.
Strauss stated that our daily conversations are dependent upon identifying similar and contrast points in relation with our counterpart's words and emotions.
Similarities and differences constitute the basis of our personal structures and end up shaping respective cultures.
Strauss assumed that this binary/dichotomous intellectual process is universal and synchronic, independent from historical evolution.
What personally strikes me in this Strauss's theory is the quest for depicting human behavior through universal rules rather than compartmented by cultural lenses/analyses.
Strauss passed away last year at the age of 100 years old.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/04/levi.strauss.anthropologist/
PS. My favorite Strauss' book is "Tristes Tropiques". Although little confusing, I highly recommend to the ones interested in reflecting on seminal ideas.
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