The problem with family dynasties

The problem with family dynasties that often determine the fate of this country is that new creative outbursts rarely occur. With either family X or family Y in power, ideas from people outside the family are almost impossible to solicit. There is stagnation. How can a country move forward with that?

If these families then fight each other, this becomes a step backward, with their supporters even being involved in the feud. At a certain point, you could even talk about a family civil war. The longer we focus on ourselves instead of on the country’s urgent problems, the more time we lose and we’d end up lagging behind other countries.

When I look at Vietnam, Taiwan, China, or Indonesia, which is now even building a new capital, I am speechless at how quickly these countries are overtaking the Philippines. And now there’s the threat of another epidemic like monkeypox, and the possibility of another lockdown. A military conflict with a neighboring country might be in the offing as well.

But the Philippines has so much potential and certainly deserves better. However, if we do not exploit our potential, it will remain hidden and forgotten. We don’t want to end up like those “failed countries” in Africa where vain generals fight their battles on the backs of their civilian population until the bitter end. Let’s close our eyes and let our imagination run wild: Where do we want to see this country in five or, say, 10 years?

Let’s assume a positive vision and, opening our eyes, start working on this vision. Everything starts with a first step. Together, we will achieve something. There is enough time until the election to work on this. Sometimes, history just needs a little push to get rolling.

Jürgen Schöfer, Ph.D.,

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