Last night after posting about the demonstrations/protests in São Paulo, I walked downstairs and the first words out of Heitor´s mouth were that the bus fare increase had been rescinded.
Now we will see what happens, but I fear we might have an out-of-control situation.
Tonight I had a long session with my principal English student and I had only arrived home in time for about 10 minutes to talk with Heitor before he left to watch the NBA Finals with Pedrão. But it was long enough to learn that there were as many people in the streets today as ever, with a lot of right-wing and skin head violence and a general incoherence to the whole event. Heitor described one participant who was interviewed by a TV reporter. The list of things he was pissed about covered the full political spectrum from left to right.
This may have morphed into just a lot of vaguely pissed off, but basically inarticulate and not very thoughtful people taking to the streets.
One lesson of history I´m afraid is that thoughtful people lose when it comes to who has the most muscle in the streets. Wasn´t that one of Lenin´s rules?
1 comment:
Let's assume for a minute that the bus fare increase was the result of proper analysis by "thoughtful people." Wonder how the rescission will alter the "muscle on the streets?"
Seems like there is always need for a balance between the good of the individual and the good of the group. When that gets seriously out of whack, as in Heitor's description of the TV interview, I am always suspicious that the "greater good" gets lost in favor of the demonstrator's or the looter's self or parochial interest.
My guess is that the bus fare increase, again assuming it was justified by a thoughtful process, should not have been rescinded. That encourages the "muscle on the streets" to pursue their agenda, and I will wager that doesn't square up with most good folks?
Post a Comment