Monday, June 14, 2004

 

Ronald Reagan’s lost legacy in Latin America

 

By Carlos Luken

 

Ronald Reagan once said, “a great man is not one who does great things, but one who leads his people to do great things.” As usual, he was direct and to the point. That was part of his greatness. I will miss his sometimes one-dimensional yet always positive and energetic way of looking at things and at the world.

 

For Reagan’s remark to be taken in perspective, a leader must also have people with aspiration and enthusiasm to be directed towards greatness. These people have to be nurtured in the course of a generation. Persons don’t just reach for the stars overnight. They do so because a leader has placed in their minds the visualization of a better destiny, and convinced them to be willing to follow it regardless of the toil.

 

Some believe, that while having Ronald Reagan during his time, the world lost a great opportunity. His unique style of leadership comes very sparingly in a generation, and when he rose to the international stage other leaders, of slighter stature but similar vision and passion, also appeared and together they rallied the people and rose to the occasion to change the world.

 

But regrettably the chance was not there for all to take, and it was not sufficient to allow some world leaders to extricate themselves and their countries from the resentment and small-mindedness of enduring daily tribulations, instead of deciding to act and make a difference in crafting a new and better world.

 

The opportunity was certainly lost in Latin America.

 

The history of lost opportunity compels one to look for the great Latin American leaders of our day, or for those who Latin Americans are willing to follow. Try as one might, it is virtually impossible to find either.

 

So, is the Latin American impasse a condition of leaderless people, or of leaders without followings?

 

Without doubt there are some significant leaders in a small number of countries, while others are simply bewildered. But a bitter lesson that is currently being learned in the region is that simple notoriety is not greatness.

 

Confusing these terms, as some countries have done, has led nations towards reckless paths that have worsened their plights. Like relics, several still carry subjugation chips on their shoulders, ever still battling wars already won some 200 years ago. Others are blinded by isolationism, arrogance, populism or corruption. It makes one think, perhaps, that some Latin leaders hope not to join the age of advancement but to remain backwards, while others apparently believe that coming in third is better than being first.

 

It may be the fault of the people and not the leader. With few exceptions, one rarely sees or hears a man or woman call for the people to sacrifice in an effort to progress. Maybe they know something that others do not? Or maybe they have convinced themselves and their followers that something for nothing is possible?

 

Even though Latin Americans recognize the phoenix-like resurgence to global prominence of civilizations such as that of Japan, and while many know the value of their own country’s resources, most have yet to find leaders to inspire and motivate them towards modern development and opportunity, vis-à-vis relying on unindustrialized raw materials for sustenance and trade with other nations.

 

Who knows if another Simon Bolivar might appear in a country, motivating the people to do great things? But when people and nations are more of a mind to be given everything instead of sacrificing, such an event is very unlikely.

 

If Fidel Castro of Cuba and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela are today’s leaders in Latin America, what will their generation of sponges bring in the future? Will they follow their leader or make demands of whomever? If Vicente Fox can help to lead a country like Mexico from darkness into the light of democracy, only to see the nation consume itself with selfish interests and political partisanship, one must ask how is this possible?

 

Ending where this started, the optimism and example of Ronald Reagan compels one to say that yes, there is hope. However leaders in Latin American, and most importantly the people themselves, must face the worldly realities of today.

 

They must understand that responsible democracy is an imperative in the modern world, and that the rights of others are not issues or things that can be disregarded through isolationism. As well, all concerned must understand that there are no free rides as everything has a price that must ultimately be paid.

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Carlos Luken (a www.mexidata.info columnist), a Mexicali, Baja California, based businessman, is the principal in I.L.C. Corporate Real Estate, a project development firm, and I.L.C. Corporate Services, a consulting practice that provides business management, consultancy and lobbying services to global corporations and government agencies. He can be reached via e-mail at ilcmex@yahoo.com.