A Revolutionary Situation

What are the conditions that constitute a revolutionary situation? Applying chaos theory and studying Philippine history, we find that majority of revolts that occurred in the Philippines were caused by a sudden rise in food costs. Filipinos, a sociological study reveals, may tolerate political infractions or even some form of corruption. When faced with a prospect of hunger, which, we find to be not of our own making, but attributable to government, we revolt. We observe these during the Spanish, American and even in the Japanese occupation periods.

Second, Filipinos revolt when government exercises extreme unwarranted and irrational control over their lives. And third, we find Filipinos taking part in revolts when led by a figure or a group of personalities perceived to have been victims of injustices themselves.

Anyone who can put forward a swift solution to the crisis in food and gasoline affecting this country right now deserves the top post now or in 2010. What Filipinos need right now is their own version of a Lenin. The existing conditions are ripe for an outbreak of dissent. Why?

1. Most of us are angry or desperate because the start of classes is just around the corner.
2. High food prices are causing so much strain and problems even in middle class families.
3. Politicians seems to be the cause of the problem, most of the people believe.
4. Too much politicking is being perceived as causing all these problems.

Gloria is lucky that we don't have somebody right now who encapsulates a Pinoy Lenin. Otherwise, she's out.

Strikes to break the camel's back

Tomorrow, transport groups intend to make a lot of noise against the continued rise of the prices of gasoline. Bishops have encouraged the people to support these groups. With one peso hikes almost every week, people are tired of it and want to demonstrate their disgusts against government.

Another rally is set on May 17, ten days before the expected "takeover" of government in the utility firm Meralco. While we are talking about this, government has allowed the diminution of its stake in Petron, a former government owned and controlled corporation, now privatized. I can understand this since privatization is really the policy of government right now. While they are privatizing the oil industry, government wants a reverse in the power sector?

Government should probably consider raising its stakes in Shell, Petron and Caltex to be able to have a say in how these companies run their operations. I mean, being intrusive at this point is understandable, since the very lives of the people are at stake here. Instead of further divesting in the oil industry, government should take the industry by the neck and squeeze every profit from them. That way, government can directly ease the suffering of the people.

One question though--will these rallies break the camel's back?