The Rebirth of History and The First Men

History begins again in the American continent. It might not be expected by Francis Fukuyama, the conservative thinker, that the Anglo-American ideology, which he claims to be the final state of human history, finally must admit that peoples in the continent choose a different track. It finally turned out that the world is not a better place as promissed by neoliberalism two decades ago.

The peoples in the American continent initiated the change of direction in the history of the world. “Change” as Barack Obama’s central message during his presidential campaign, is not alone. The peoples in the ‘backyard’ of the United States have also manifested “change” in their countries. It spreads from Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, and Argentina to Paraguay. They wanted their fate to be decided by their own hands, instead of being determined by what some might call as the ‘invisible hands’.

History Heads North

It is interesting to see how history is born again. Since the renaissance, we have always believed that history goes from north to south. We can call it the advancement of technology, latest discoveries in science, or the origins of democratic practices and institutions.

However, now people can witness what was written by Pramoedya Ananta Toer some twenty years ago: “the counter current” (arus balik). The rebirth of history after the neoliberal hegemony heads from south to north. From the poor and impoverished countries to the richest nation in the world. From Latin America to the United States, people have asked for change: the power to decide their own fate.

The magnitude of change can be different. The United States might never be a ‘socialist’ country like those in the south, but she certainly has realized that the role of the state is essential to make sure the course of social justice. One can label anything to wealth distribution, but Obama has made it sure that even in a capitalist country, which trumpets protection of private property, an equitable economy must not be stepped aside. It is crucial to narrow the economic gap to maintain purchasing power that guarantees sustainable economic growth. That is why the Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz once said and admitted that the ‘left’ promotes more economic growth that the ‘right’, or the market fundamentalists.

The First Men

It is also interesting to see ‘the first men’ who come forward to the change of history. In Brazil, we can see a former laborer who made his way to be a president. A man who comes from the indigenious people in Bolivia, who had never ruled their own country, was democratically elected to the presidency. In Chile, a former activist who was imprisonned during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, came to rule La Moneda, the presidential palace of the country in Santiago. Recently, a former ‘Bishop of the poor’ was elected in Assuncion and signed about 100 pro-poor presidential decrees right on the first day after his inauguration as the President of Paraguay.

In the United States, a 47-year old former grassroots organizer was elected as the first black president of the country. In addition, he shares a similar background with his colleagues in the South America: he does not come from a priviledged family. It is a crucial contrast with his predecessor, who comes from a rich business background.

The ‘first men’ should teach us, Indonesians, a lesson that change is not impossible. It is up to us, the people, to decide our own fate. Celebrations for the result of historical change in the American continent can only be meaningful if we realize that our country can also follow their direction to take back the power to determine our own destiny. The few months away general elections in our country can be an answer if we want to take part of the rebirth of history. If it is not, then 2014 is waiting for anyone who want to be among ‘the first men’, or ‘the first women’, like those in the American continent. It is never too late, the time to start the journey is now.