The "leftists" don't get their cr_p together re the constitution, mining etc. their future is doomed. The "right" will get to take over. No doubt they are experts at "making deals". Can anyone enlighten me as to what their official mining position is?

Mr. Soto how about it, your comments would be nice for a change from your same old, same old.?

I don't think Mr. Soto reads our little board, but I'll be happy to take a stab at it. I'm in the mood.

What we perceive as "left" and "right" in these countries is nothing more than a facade. Neither side embraces laissez-faire or the free-market as we know it because there's no tradition of it. Both sides operate from a paternalistic viewpoint which is a legacy of the colonial systems they inherited.

In the case of the Right, it is an inherent trait, an assumed superiority, since they are the decendants of the original land holders, the aristocracy. In Ecuador they even have a word for them: "pelucones" which refers to the wigs worn by 17th century nobility.

In the case of the left and assorted liberation movements, you have a command structure that evolved first from tribal hierarchies, and later on from Marxist theory and the leadership of the Communist Party. What progessive influences they inherited from the social revolutions of Europe are buried beneath a layer of authoritarianism which reflects the original colonialism (not to mention natural human tendencies).

Effectively, both sides operate as top-down hierarchies, the essential difference being which groups are favored under that arrangement. Both sides stuff their courts and legislatures with cronies and fellow travellers, and what semblance of democracy may exist is either rigged, or heavily tilted by favoritism.

Admittedly an oversimplification, but as a rough model it will get you farther than regarding these groups as Liberal or Conservative in the European sense of the words. What we would call Liberals or Conservatives exist mainly among the business class. These tend to be less concerned with politics, except as it directly affects them, but you can't really consider them a force for change since their position is weak due to their small numbers. To one degree or another they collaborate with those in power, and likewise suffer payback when that power changes.

Two other institutions that should be taken into account are the Church and the Army. Both have their own internal factions which mirror the general social arrangement, both play a significant and complicated role in the political equation.

In the case of Ecuador, we have a further division in that the Right is split along regional lines, roughly corresponding to Quito (govt and administrative center) and Guyaquil (semi-autonomous business center).

The clearest indication of what you're dealing with will be seen when the final draft of the constitution appears. Following the authoritarian principle of codifying every detail of how things "ought" to be, expect it to cover everything from basic human rights, to how far back your fence has to be, and cleaning up after your dog.

The notion of a constitution as broadly defining individual rights and obligations, while limiting the power of government, simply isn't in the lexicon of either side. That's why the USA has had only one constitution, while Ecuador writes a new one every second week.

As to how we'd fare under a right wing govt., think back to Mr Banana King on bended knee. How much would we get to keep once he and his cronies caught wind of our discovery?

Our best hope is for a weakened left leading to some form of coalition after the next election. That should freeze things in their tracks and put a stop to all this interference. Personally, I'd like to see a pro-business right emerge from the Guyaquil establishment and brush the pelucones of Quito aside once and for all. That could eventually lead to a strong two-party system, but I'm not holding my breath. Of course a military coup would be the worst possible outcome. It always is.

That all just my opinion of course. I've never actually been to Ecuador. It's all taken from their press and other research, combined with my personal experience of Spain, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua in the 70's and 80's. Admittedly a long time ago, but the French have a saying: "plus ca change, plus ce la meme chose." Just once I'd like to see them proven wrong.

ebear