Popular movements often find their champions, individuals who eagerly rise to promote the fashionable ideas of the moment, paying little attention to substance or rational thought. Instead, they are enthralled by the fervor of the times.
Take Che Guevara, for example. The Argentine Marxist is often remembered for his fervent, yet misguided pursuits as he propagated his confused ideology across South and Central America. To Guevara, the emergence of “a new man and woman” was inevitable during the construction of socialism. He asserted, “The image is not yet completely finished – it never will be, since the process goes forward hand in hand with the development of new economic forms.”
Confronted by the stark contrasts in the world, Guevara was appalled by the disparity between extreme poverty and indulgent wealth. Viewing the world through a lens of injustice, he set out to forge what he envisioned as a better society.
Unfortunately, his approach was fundamentally flawed from the start. Rather than seeking private solutions, Guevara opted for political change. He believed that establishing the right government and policies could reshape the entire world to fit his vision.
However, when given the chance to implement his ideas after the Cuban Revolution, Guevara’s plans backfired spectacularly. He initiated agrarian land reform with the aim of spreading “the social justice that land redistribution brings about.” Sadly, his dedication to “moral incentives” and “voluntary labor” led to plummeting agricultural production and widespread worker apathy.
When his efforts in Cuba faltered, Guevara sought out new opportunities to incite revolution. Following a failed mission in the Congo, he returned to Latin America in early 1967 to further his cause. Unfortunately for him, his time was running out. On October 8, 1967, he was apprehended by Bolivian Special Forces and executed the next day.
We Are the 99 Percent
The Occupy Wall Street movement, unlike many others, lacks a notable leader or a clear purpose. After observing the movement from a distance, it seems that many protesters are upset about their situations marked by lack of good job opportunities and burdensome student loans.
The We Are the 99 Percent website highlights their struggles. Numerous individuals once believed that attaining a college degree would guarantee them a prosperous job. For instance, one person expressed disappointment over accruing $175,000 in debt to become a struggling artist, lamenting the lack of financial support for his projects. Another, juggling two children and college debt without health insurance, shares a similarly disheartening tale. There are thousands of such narratives shared.
Ultimately, their discontent stems from the contrast they observe: Wall Street received a bailout while they did not. Beyond their student debt, however, there appears to be no unified goal among the protesters. While their anger towards Wall Street is justified, it seems misdirected.
If the protesters traced the flow of funds from Wall Street back to Washington, they might expect to find the government as a primary target for their ire. Yet, their focus remains fixated on Wall Street. They seem to believe that building enough momentum in their movement could allow them access to government resources.
One cannot help but empathize with them. Graduating into a chaotic economic landscape during a significant shift in credit availability undoubtedly left them feeling blindsided. They placed their faith in a system that failed to deliver, expecting assured success only to have that promise crumble. Like Guevara, they too seek political answers, setting themselves up for potential further disillusionment.
Go Occupy Yourself
At Economic Prism, we harbor skepticism towards popular movements, mirroring our doubts about politicians, fiat currency, and credit-fueled bull markets. The unpredictable nature of the crowd mentality often leads to chaos. When the masses veer in one direction, we prefer to head the opposite way—observing from a safe vantage point rather than becoming ensnared in the fray.
The reality is, opportunities abound for those willing to seek them outside conventional paths. If you find yourself among the 99 Percent and yearn for success, consider doing the opposite of what you’ve been taught. It may be time to distance yourself from the movement.
The political avenues that Occupy Wall Street is chasing will not yield the solutions they desire. The days when a college degree guaranteed a stable job and a comfortable lifestyle are gone—and that can be a cause for gratitude. With creativity and determination, you can achieve far more than conventional expectations.
Now is the time to trust in your capabilities and pursue personal avenues, as this is the best way to thrive while the crowd stagnates. What better way to defy the establishment than to focus on your own growth and ambitions?
By taking action now, you can leave behind the disarray in Washington and forge your own path towards success.
Sincerely,
MN Gordon
for Economic Prism