Uruguay, that small country in South America. Benefited by fertile lands, multiple river accesses, with tremendous potential to produce services, but growing at a trickle.
This ending is no coincidence, but rather the result of a Batllista model, which, although it has had patches to extend its life, is in agony. This model allows politicians to distribute power while maintaining the fantasy of stability for citizens.
You might also be interested in... a critical look at the pension distribution system, another legacy of the same statist framework that suffocates the productive sector.
There's no need to mention what happened recently, two women from the traditional parties securing a position for the next 5 years. Because although power changes hands, there's always a remnant for everyone.
Another example of the distributions is the so-called control positions in decentralized entities and agencies. An exemplary case is that of Sanguinetti's son (his father, the main promoter of the model), who always ends up in some office with air conditioning to his liking.
This Batllista model, with security patches like Windows, has caused a corporatist culture in Uruguay. Large interests that end up financing politicians and providing a large flow of votes.
You might also be interested in... how the Montevideo City Hall finances ideological agendas while the country stagnates.
The same ones who will produce more agony when the economy doesn't grow, when stagnation becomes more evident, in a much more unfavorable international context than the commodities honeymoon.
These groups will demand privileges, subsidies, greater price rigidity. All to be paid by small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, the honest worker, who asks for nothing and owes nothing.
This is what social democracy looks like, and it's not pleasant. First, a group of politicians with very cheerful smiles (great photo of the Anna Frank award in Buenos Aires), second, some established power groups protected by politicians, finally, the rest. The honest people who pay for the party of a few with sweat and tears.
Do you want to delve deeper into how the State became a loot? You can read "From Myth to Plunder: The Truth About the State".
