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https://freedium.cfd/https://nadinbrzezinski.medium.com/patronage-systems-authoritarian-spaces-conformity-484276c8d66f>
"We humans tend to watch events through what is familiar to us. It's easy to
look at both through a Western American lens when watching Russia and now the
Middle East. It is what is utterly familiar to us. It comes with inherent blind
spots. We all tend to default our analysis through lived experience or societal
expectations. I admit that my experience makes watching these two societies
easier because my experience is somewhat similar to what we see in Russia and
Gaza. So, there is a visceral level of understanding because I heard stories
growing up. Granted, I was isolated from some of the worst elements because I
was an upper-class child.
In some ways, I benefited from the system.
But there is also academic work, so first, let me explain Mexico, the country I
grew up in, and the subject of my master's degree study. Mexico is a society in
transition. For the last twenty-five years, it has been since a genuine
multiparty democracy took form. However, the previous six years have seen a
retreat from this more modern way, in some ways a Western way, of doing things.
Patronage has returned, starting with the educational system. This system has
rejected the use of continuing education or knowledge testing of teachers. Why?
Some tests were impossible for teachers in impoverished states or rural areas.
The heart of Andres Lopez Obrador's base is precisely these states, like
Tabasco.
This, of course, has led to the usual problems with patronage systems.
Education quality dropped. Since who you know also implies keeping your job, we
have seen rising impunity with teachers doing whatever they want in schools to
the detriment of students."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
