What if waiting for others to resolve our issues is embedded in our culture? Sometimes we expect our leaders to attend to our problems, and they in turn depend on us, creating a loop where issues are perpetuated. For example, many of us hold the illusion that the economy can be fixed by the government alone, when in fact it requires society to be more productive and generate demand, while leaders make the right decisions to stimulate and achieve sustainable growth. I think that one of the main functions of governments is to provide the right environment for society to thrive. For me this means providing the necessary infrastructure to ensure appropriate levels of law, order, education and social services while having the essential regulations and mechanisms in place to influence the economic, financial and social structures. When governments start overextending their responsibilities and promote paternalism, they risk raising debt and poverty because their citizens are no longer empowered to be productive and seek progress.
Those of us who perpetually feel helpless have somehow lost faith in our inner strength. In this sense we are incapable of seeing ourselves as our own saviours. History has shown us how certain societies have been able to literally rise from the ashes through coordinated efforts from each of its citizens. Meanwhile, others languish in their desperation, wondering why they cannot overcome their difficulties, even with all the potential in the world at their disposal. In the end, we must realize that welfare and progress in society depends mostly on our collective attitude and not so much on external factors and paternalistic policies.
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