History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, then as a farce. – Karl Marx
Today we have to talk about a disastrous character in Mexican history, practices that became entrenched during his mandate today are associated with the most rancid and detestable of the political system: populism, demagoguery, authoritarianism, arrogance, corruption, intolerance, repression, in short, a long list of practices that make politics the dirtiest, meanest and most abhorrent of jobs.
Since he was a candidate, it was known that victory was assured, his opposing candidates were decorative figures, since they were never able to compete. He came to power with absolute legitimacy, since he far exceeded more than 50% of the effective vote, also achieving an absolute majority in the Chambers, also guaranteeing him political governability.
A different style of government defined itself as leftist, made guayaberas fashionable and toured the entire country. He blamed the past Administrations for abandoning the weaker classes, generating a growth in social inequalities, derived from the fact that economic growth was privileged; he recognized that the middle and lower classes had been neglected and created programs aimed at these sectors.
Longing for the ghosts of his past, he bet all his chips on oil as the only engine of economic growth in the country. A firm believer that the economy could be managed from the Presidency, he wanted the State to participate and control all sectors, he had explosive public spending and no planning. Everything he decided to invest did not work out, which ultimately led to financial problems and, when things started to go wrong, he blamed his predecessors. He was never able to control inflation, for which he blamed factors that came from abroad and fought with businessmen to the point of no return, which meant the spraying of investment in Mexico.
He was intolerant of his opponents, his speech was “who is not with me, is against me”; He was a repressor who made clear his differences and conflicts with the press, whom he tried to discredit, silence and limit his freedom through all the means at his disposal. He presented himself as a compulsive worker, his working days started very early and sometimes exceeded 12 hours, but they were always unproductive, since no tangible results were ever seen despite so much hyperactivity.
The power belonged to him and only to him, presidentialism reached its absolute splendor, there were no other Powers, Supreme Court or organizations that confronted him or opposed him, he was the definitive and all-powerful principal.
I am clearly talking about the infamous Luis Echeverría Álvarez, who has just turned 100 years old. Luis Echeverría was able to inherit his power and appoint his best childhood friend, José López Portillo, as his successor. Together, the Administrations of both are known as the “tragic dozen”, where political and economic decisions generated crises and delays for which, to date, we continue to pay consequences. There are those who affirm that populist demagoguery cannot be created or destroyed, it only transforms; I, however, tell you that any similarity with the current reality IS NO COINCIDENCE. Echeverría’s point is that it is past history, we can do nothing now, what we do have decision-making power about is what we will have to allow for the present and future of our country. If we see all the signs and still decide to take the plunge, at least let’s not say we were warned.
#tragedy #farce