Peru, wonderful and paradoxical country, rich and poor at the same time

Peru, a Peruvian miracle paradox is not "economic".

"The geographical position of Peru, its mineral resources and the wealth of its soil, open to all climates, it earmarked a prominent place in the future of the Americas" (Jean Baptiste Popelaire, Baron Terloo) (Note 1)

In recent years, Peru became a "star" among developing country, renowned for its good economic performance and the potential for growth and development.

Declining China's economic dynamism has had a major negative effect, which ended with the sustained growth of the Peruvian economy, especially the real leaning primary activity for which China was the main consumer.

Peru has a great natural, historical, cultural wealth and all the conditions to become a truly developed country, workable condition if one considers that countries that do not have even 1% of Peruvians resources (like Singapore) have managed to as developed countries. By the way the economic, political and social events are conducted, Peru is far from developed country and may never achieve, as a popular saying is true "God gives beards that has no chin," referring to the situation that has the resources and wealth but do not deserve.

Or perhaps, there is a misperception of the nature of wealth: The rich and fertile territories, forests, species-rich sea, cultural and historical heritage are not riches, are only resources for the true expression of wealth a country, people,  can get the medium from which the possibility of development is formed. In that sense, Singapore without having virtually no natural resources, South Korea or Israel without reaching the levels of geographic expansion and biodiversity that characterize Peru, are immensely rich countries regard to Peru and are developed by having an enormous wealth in its people and in their potential, their ability to transform things and guiding the facts in their favor.

The high level of education, shared vision, the strength of the national sense, consistency in policies, the existence of genuine leaders, territorial integration in geographical, political, economic, social sense; all these aspects at the level they have are indicators of the level of development of these countries; current situation is no reason for them to stay inactive they continually act to form and strengthen the future. In Peru there is none of the above, therefore, the claim of a developed country is sterile, exaggerated and shows that suffering in the extreme evil of Hubris, an alienation from reality from fragmented, transient and perhaps random hits, they are not the result of talent and hard work but favorable external events, an occasional tailwind.

The most dramatic is that a country so blessed with resources, geography, history has no future, is a poor country and will remain so. The islands of excellence expressed in some educational, social, groups of people with vision and drive, love of country institutions are not enough to offset the enormous destructive force created by corrupt, ineffective, political institutions allied with crime and corruption, with the absence of leadership, with moral insanity gradually spread out against the national soul in the same way as a shadow that comes with the night envelops the earth.

It was called the "Peruvian miracle" to the successful performance of Peru, although in truth it is only apparent success because it was based on exceptionally favorable circumstances, which is no merit for whoever is producing a good or service and has an avid shopper, can get higher prices and earn more on trade.

There is talk of the "curse of natural resources" as a factor of backwardness in a country. Pure fallacy, because resources (fisheries, forests, fertile land, landscapes) are not persons and therefore should not be blamed for anything. The curse is on people and malicious social, political and economic groups that live and thrive where these resources exist. Then, just as biased view, it should be said that Israel and Singapore are fortunate to enjoy the "blessing of the lack of natural resources" countries? Australia has natural resources and is a developed country; Finland does not have the enormous quantity and variety of natural resources that Peru and is also a developed country.

The graph shows that there are countries that systematically follow the path development over time, while others have the opportunity to work for it, lose their way or because they have no idea what it means to be "developed country" or because they simply do not want and wasted opportunities.

The real miracle is that the country is still standing and sometimes take favorable circumstances despite the negative, obstructive and destructive economic, political and social agents acting as fifth columnists. The real miracle is that despite not having strong institutions, not having a vision of the country,  not being an integrated nation, having no homogeneity in the treatment of Peruvians, by the existence of areas on the borders of the territory they are abandoned entirely by the "Peruvian state", for the existence of in the heart of the country of "liberated zones" under the control of drug traffickers and terrorists, remains as a country's territory but as a nation has a tenuous situation.

In African or Arab countries it is common to see presidents or rulers questioned by corruption despotism, tyranny; rulers that ends executed. Among Latin American countries, which are supposed to have a more refined and far from "African" barbaric political ideology, Peru is the only one who has the dubious honor of having their last three presidents as bad examples. Fujimori, in jail, Toledo and Garcia, questioned and protected by an independent judiciary, which is the most corrupt institution. The list of senior officials with crimes of all kinds (fraud, nepotism, outright theft, embezzlement, extortion, collusion or address to criminal groups, crime, pimping, illegal activities, drug trafficking, etc.) and includes ministers presidents, congressmen , mayors, civil servants, would fill a phone book. However, there is no sanction because the kingdom of impunity has been established and institutionalized, dramatic fact is revealed in the phrase "Roba, but does work" (Roba, pero hace obra) that serves as a guide to choose candidates in national, regional or local government elections . A candidate with a criminal record and background is eligible and is elected in Peru, an honest candidate as Winston Churchill, in his eagerness to liberate Peru from their misery, it offers "Blood, Sweat and Tears" is not eligible or selected. He is an outcast, a dreamer, a madman in a country where dementia and anomie seem to have firmly established his kingdom.

There is misery, poverty, exclusion, disintegration and these facts are hidden under false statistics, but people who really "does homeland" struggle to improve their condition and achieve a better standard of living, would be great, and of course another miracle, this push detached, few individuals or linmited social groups to be extended to the entire population,

The real miracle is the Peru is like  a ship that makes water everywhere, which has many riches on board, but stays afloat despite all the bad efforts of political forces and politicians, institutional absence, the multiplicity of hostile forces, and moves although drifting aimlessly or destination.

What would the Peru, if the vast natural, historical and cultural resources, it will add the existence and effectiveness of strong, credible institutions, honest and committed politicians, true leaders, class education, a shared vision, a national goal long term searched by  all? An impaired canoe would become a huge, powerful ocean liner.

Peru is a paradox, because despite having everything, does not collect or create the conditions to develop. The isolated efforts of a few crash against indifference, opposition and open hostility of many. Yet it is good to live in this country, where the struggle for personal and social progress is more difficult, more arduous but  that should not be abandoned because it forces us to discover and use the best of ourselves, of the few who know and love our great nation, our homeland.

JB Popelaire said presciently: "The progress here is a dream, will take centuries to Peruvians for evolve and respect authority, will take centuries for it to be respectable. Peru has a long stage to go before his men can say  "We are a nation". "

Prophetic, lapidary, unquestionable, objective. In this beautiful country exist people that can change this prophecy, we can change the mindset so that not we only say "we are a nation" but something better; that other people say that "We are a great nation" Impossible? No; Very difficult? Yes.

References

El Comercio, June 5, 2012, Sunday Supplement, p. 2, Lima, Perú

Note 1. Jean Baptiste Popelaire, Terloo Baron, was a Belgian naturalist who traveled the Peru between 1840 and 1843 investigating the flora and fauna. Acute observer of spirit of the people who visited, made prophetic statements about the fate of Peru.