Editor’s Note | Editors’ Note 

Prudence, Creativity, Justice and Viability

All the versions of this article: es pt

The economic, social and political turbulence stirred by the global crisis also impacted on the views and perspectives of those who observe, analyze or act looking for answers. It is not easy to figure out what lies underneath, underpinning and moving what appears on the surface of social processes and our own thoughts. It becomes extremely complex to tell causes from effects, as they intertwine, change roles constantly, mutate and influence one another.

There are many possible explanations and, most likely, each one of them will make a contribution: some element, some perspective, some set of interests, needs and emotions. At a critical moment of social and geopolitical transformations, the whirlwind of events forces the renewal of strategic thinking. The new stems from the old, but differs from the latter in multiple aspects and developments of the unprecedented challenges. It is necessary to act on the basis of both experience and the type of referential utopia –be it implicit or explicit–that serves as our compass. It does not help or make any sense to anchor in reactions that merely repeat formulas from bygone times. Responsibility as well as efficacy in these troubled times demand a combination of prudence and creativity, justice and viability in the search for solutions.

  With this in mind, we devised the articles in this issue of Opinión Sur, with a focus on the development of the contemporary global crisis. We hope it is of use to our readers.  

Cordial greetings,

  The Editors