Cultural policy: Hernán Malo

Abstract

Dr. Hernán Malo S. I., Rector of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, discusses Culture and Cultural Policy, emphasizing that Culture is fundamental and primordial, existing in all senses much more than Politics. He views politics as a subsequent resource or instrument to conduct society. Malo defines culture as a free, spontaneous, and specifically human expression. Crucially, cultural expression must possess "nitidez" (clarity/precision) and "hondura" (depth) to achieve coherence, unity, and authenticity within a human group. A key cultural policy should be scientific rigor in understanding one's own culture, avoiding superficial slogans. He warns against the danger of Political Cultural projects, particularly those driven by ideology (like in socialist countries) or dominant economic models (like Western consumerism and media, e.g., Coca-Cola, Jazz) , which can smother authentic cultural expressions. He notes that Ecuador's cultures are under a profound cultural domination by the United States/Occident. Malo concludes that a serious review of culture and politics requires immediate disinterest and scientific study, even if it means renouncing cherished concepts like "American cleanliness" or even certain forms of evangelization if cultural coherence demands it.