Far from being a success, our economy is hindered by restrictive trade conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund, GATT, and the World Bank. Our very laws designate us as an agricultural country, purposed to supply rich countries with raw materials. Such a neo-colonial economic model certainly cannot foreshadow a prosperous future. It should, on the contrary, dispel all our illusions about the government wanting to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, or adopt a strategy for “inclusive economic growth”. In the first place, the progress the government has in mind is premised on imitating the framework of other countries, countries that are now floundering in crisis, and on the verge of a total collapse. Decade after decade, we’ve been trying to carry out this game plan. And still we haven’t even begun to industrialize. Up to now, the Philippines isn’t yet a bonafide NIC (Newly Industrialized Country). China, Malaysia, Thailand and India are, and have all the right to rejoice. Why we are not among these truly progressive nations is a question often met by a mind-bending assortment of reasons. But whether it is neo-colonialism, corruption or illiteracy; political dynasties, a backward culture or a fragmented topography; the Catholic Church, evil transnational corporations or the CIA—the fact remains that we as a nation, for the longest time, haven’t succeeded in following the industrialization model. Not with Marcos, not with Cory, not with Ramos, not with Erap, not with Gloria. And we are still trying.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 02:35:06 +0000
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