Why do I really hope that Trump wins the elections?

Because just then people might realize that we need a radical change, a revolution. Radical in the truthful meaning of the word: a change from the roots, affecting the fundamental nature of something. Revolution in the Aristotelian sense of the term: a complete change from one constitution to another.

It’s been long enough since the socio-political framework of liberal ‘democracies’ has proven to be insufficient and flawed. History presents a variety of examples that show how the nationalist projects are great at concentrating the power of a many in the hands of few, creating barriers among different groups based on identity affiliations, economic status, political power. These divisions are normalized and systematized perpetuating the status quo of racism, economic and social inequality, gender oppression, destruction of natural systems, and the list goes on.

One of the biggest strengths of this political system is the process of consent of the governed. This consent refers to the idea that a government has the right to exercise power over the people only after people expressed the will to grant this authority to the government.

So the issue for me isn’t about left or right-leaning ideologies. For me, the question is also about how we construct our governments and concentrate power. A left-right ideology discussion would only simplify the problem at hand and undermine bigger questions.

That’s why I really hope that Bernie Sanders doesn’t win the elections for the presidency. This event will present a placebo effect to society. I admire the social movement that his candidature has ignited. People are starting to reawaken a social consciousness that aims to take back the power of people and the strength of unity. But I can’t avoid to ask myself- What will happen then? What’s next?

I fear that if Sanders wins the majority of people will shout ‘Victory!’ and give the fight for finished. A social democratic government will be placed, progressive measures will be taken, but will that change suffice? Or are we just falling into the same cycle of political dominance and structuralized oppressions that we’ve been constructed and legitimized in modern time?

That’s why we need to redefine the word democracy and find a system that serves to the truthful meaning of “government by the people.” Elections, campaigns and social movements every 4 years don’t represent a real power vested in the people. Representation hasn’t been working the way people have expected. Power is focalized and that has been advantageous to advance the political and social agenda of dominant cultural groups. We should build democracy every day. We should be political all the time. Work on the micro-politics, in our communities and smaller circles aiming to construct a system that makes more sense, and that involves all of us, in every decision. The story of the 20th century is the story of how democracy came to be defined from entailing both liberty and some sense of social equality to meaning just individual freedom.

Maybe having Trump in power will make people see the bigger picture. A radical problem requires a radical solution. Shock doctrine reversed.

Political placebos. Ideological onanisms.

Power to the people. Power to the people. Power to the people. Repeat throughout the day as much as needed. Healing mantras. Real change.

Revolución permanente.