Ricardo Pascoe Pierce
Everything Morena says, does, and proposes is considered by its own members to be exceptional, unique, and never before seen on planet Earth. From its name, it seeks to present itself as a direct consequence of the appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Mother Morena of Mexico. This party sees itself as something miraculous, since its historical mission and raison d’être, it claims, is the “salvation of Mexico.” It wants to project its resemblance to the Virgin of Guadalupe.
From that moment on, Morena assumes the guise of exceptionalism. And under that magical cloak, it acquires powers that other political formations in the country do not have. Morena is exceptional in its makeup; the other parties are mundane and obvious.
The first thing this political organization assumes is that it possesses a moral authority superior to that of any other existing body in the nation. It assumes, one might say, humbly, its role as the only force charged with a historic task and a responsibility like no other. The heavy burden of carrying a historical truth that no one else possesses: saving the nation.
Morena considers itself something above and beyond just a party with a mundane political-ideological platform. It is a movement that interprets the Mexican soul, in its most profound sense of existence, from its most ancient roots to the present day. It is a movement not anchored solely in the present, but flowing with the immemorial times of Mexican identity, from before Aztlán to the present day. Therefore, it possesses an intrinsic purity of purpose and thought that no other party has. This is what sets it apart from the rest of the plebeian parties that populate the national territory. This is where its “exceptionality” lies.
This original identity, rooted in the pure thinking of prehistoric Mexican culture, was blessed by the Virgin of Guadalupe and revealed to them as the saviors of the Mexican nation from the nefarious and diabolical neoliberal past. Every day, it reaffirms that no other actor has its mission or can assume the historical truth that it knows and carries on its shoulders.
The conviction of his quasi-mythical origin gives it a touch of moral superiority, granting it the right to sardonic laughter when referring to others, those minor actors who do not understand the wise people.
Underlying this state is a component that, in everyday life, gives off an aroma of authoritarianism. Being the bearer of The Truth is a responsibility. Still, it also allows one to look down on those who, with their political programs based on reality, fail to understand the scope and depth of the responsibility borne by the enlightened ones who have opened their eyes to reality.
Only they, the Morenistas, understand the divinity they represent. This fact gives them a specificity that no other Mexican can achieve. Moral superiority gives them a character that is not only special and exceptional, but also closes any discussion. Why argue with lesser individuals when the truth is laid out in our principles? This logic permeates everything the movement does as it moves across the country, imposing itself through graceful alliances with new followers and local power groups, both economic and criminal.
And speaking of criminals, the fact that Morena is the bearer of a historical truth allows it to access all corners of society in search of support. In this process, no one is bad, and everyone is likely to become one of the “good guys,” including drug traffickers. The heart of the new Mexico that is coming to terms with its past and present, including everyone equally. The policy of “hugs, not bullets” is rooted in this purpose. Everyone can access the current of the new Mexico transformed into a home for all. In fact, it is better that way, because each new addition means one less problem. Furthermore, this new Mexico needs a new legal framework to sustain and continue the country’s true transformation.
Talking about a new Constitution is already a given. As Mexico transforms its administrative and legal structure into the dream of our most ancient ancestors, the population will continue to feel represented. The representation of the new Mexico is the pyramid, not a heavy and bureaucratic structure of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Everyone can have a role in the new state, but the concept is as the ancients designated it: a pyramid with a tlatoani at the top and the others below, according to loyalty, wisdom, wealth, and skills.
The debate over centralism or federalism has been settled. It is an academic question of who makes the decisions. In the three-branch proposal, the question was always which branch had precedence. In the pyramid structure, the debate is settled. The pinnacle of the pyramid decides, and everything filters down. It is the order of the ancient universe, Morena would say with a sardonic smile, and without discussion.
In this undemocratic, pyramid-shaped system emerging in today’s Mexico, discussion in the Legislative Branch is a didactic or, if you prefer, academic matter. Dictates come from unknown sources, and decisions are made in basements with tinted windows. If the economy is doing badly and insecurity is worsening, it is clearly the fault of others, the neoliberals. The same is true of education, health, and the lack of sufficient jobs.
The new Judiciary will be in tune with the new pyramid-shaped times. Mexico no longer has three branches of government, but only one, contrite, organic, incestuous.
And all this is presented as a country that has been renewed and is in the process of rediscovering itself. It is not clear that Mexico is a republic, strictly speaking, although there is talk of a “limited democracy.” Rather, Mexico’s transformation into a pyramidal autocracy is the path toward an ancestral authoritarian regime with corporatist and militarist overtones.
To be a member of Morena is to become the possessor of the historical truth promoted by the movement, and, just as the waters of the Jordan River cleanse sins, Morenistas are cleansed of all their sins. Acts of corruption committed by Morena members are understood as “expropriations in the name of the revolution.” No one persecutes anyone within the movement, and to maintain this premise, it has been necessary to abolish all instruments of transparency and accountability. No one ever knew or will ever know anything.
To consolidate the premises of sanctity and its connection to the deep religious roots of the Mexican people, Morena is now in the process of transforming López Obrador into the Pope of the movement. He as the moral leader and reference point, and she as the political boss. It is a desperate act because the numerology of the state elections and the judiciary did not yield a positive result. On their own, they were only able to mobilize 9 million real votes out of a registered voter base of 100 million. Nine percent, nothing more. And that with the public treasury at their disposal. And carrying the burden of the failed Andy.
López Obrador’s son speaks of his father in glowing, almost magical terms. Now the mythology has shifted from the Virgin of Guadalupe to the figure of López Obrador. But he is vulnerable. Very vulnerable. One recording of him negotiating with Mayo Zambada and the myth is over: the papacy, moral superiority, and historical representativeness.
He becomes mortal, as temporary and weak as anyone else. And the myth of Morena’s exceptionalism, with all that it claims to be and represent, becomes ridiculous.
@rpascoep
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