I am neither a history major nor a history expert, but I find history fascinating. The last few books I read are about it. One theory seems to be recurring: history, particularly in politics and capital markets, is cyclical. We don’t see much of it since each cycle transcends one generation. This poses a problem for short-term popular elections because they are won with 1) narrow perspectives vs. sustainable solutions and 2) immediate feelings vs. long-term rationality. Today, our cycle is probably favoring populist leaders, for better or for worse.
But one thing is certain: cycles end. And it’s never the majority or the powerful who breaks the cycle—it’s the small yet progressive faction of individuals. More likely than not, history eventually comes after those who have taken advantage of the system at the expense of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.
Yuval Noah Harrari, a contemporary historian, argued that “…numbers alone don’t count for much in history. History is often shaped by small groups of forward-looking innovators rather than by the backward-looking masses.”
This is what helps me sleep at night but not because it’s a utopian illusion. Historians saw it: We may repeat history for the worse, but history can also repeat for the better.
To my fellow members of the “weaker” faction of the electorate, we are granted the power to be creative, progressive, and future-oriented. These were explicitly exhibited in campaign rallies. We still have the power to shape history. And no type of election can take this power away from you.
Ang namulat, hindi na muling mapipikit. Mabuhay ang mga tumitindig para sa Pilipinas!
Migo Aguado 