tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1338612245455097792.post1878359540413057552..comments2023-09-11T10:45:49.957-07:00Comments on Honduras Culture and Politics: All In The FamilyRAJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00097415587406899236noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1338612245455097792.post-7576358412894917532010-02-26T04:28:44.281-08:002010-02-26T04:28:44.281-08:00A few weeks ago I read a book by a Filipino bishop...A few weeks ago I read a book by a Filipino bishop, Francisco Claver, who made an interesting suggestion that the corruption in his country was somewhat related to the strong sense of family and family ties.<br /><br />I found the remark provocative. I also wonder if the strong cultural emphasis on relationships here also facilitates "corruption." <br /><br />I see some people looking for employees among those they know rather than in a process based on experience and talent. <br /><br />And so the efforts of Lobo to place his family and his political allies in positions of power is not surprising for some Hondurans, even though it may weaken the country.<br /><br />This political cronyism is, I think, one of the great weaknesses of Honduras where people are often chosen for posts because of their "connections," - or more specifically, their activism in one of the two major political parties - rather than their talents. <br /><br />It also might reflect, as you intimate, the lack of trust that political leaders have in others, even in their own party.<br /><br />All this might be good material for social scientists to examine - if they haven't done so already. I'm just a philosopher by training and a pastoral worker by profession.John (Juancito) Donaghyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711543214465586727noreply@blogger.com