by Peter R. Ramsaroop

Sunday, June 26, 2005

The State of Democracy in Guyana

A democratic form of government is self-rule by the people through elected representatives who are to ideally enact the will of the people concerning the affairs of the country. In modern society, democracy is the noblest form of government, as well as the most precarious, because its efficaciousness relies solely on the participation of the people.

Democracy is so highly regarded because it refuses to bend a knee to the would-be tyrant or the nepotism of kings and queens. Centuries of harsh rule and maltreatment at the hands of all-powerful lords, certainly initiated and nurtured the desire for self-rule by the people. What started as a primitive form of democracy during the Greek and Roman periods has blossomed into a responsive form of government that is accountable to the people – in theory.

The precarious position of modern democracy is no doubt a direct manifestation of passivity from a people who have forgotten their past. The cruel effects of feudalism and tyranny have been so far removed from our generation that, for many democratic countries, the people no longer possess a healthy fear of what could happen if one strong personality attempt usurpation of power.

The people of our nation, who lack political interest and participation certainly beg one to question the competency of our country's democracy. We lethargically keep note of what our representatives are doing and treat their actions as superfluous and spurious, when indeed those actions are often monumental.

Who is watching the government of Guyana ? Who is maintaining a watchful eye on those who decide our fate, the fate of our children and the fate of our country? Should we just naively assume that because a person is elected or appointed to a position of power that he/she will operate responsibly by enacting the will of the people? World history has proven the contrary. Indeed, even our history has proven the contrary.

So many of us have complained that the politicians have not done their part to create a vibrant and thriving Guyana . We feel ripped off and victimized by our government for not accomplishing the tasks we have entrusted to them. Yet honesty demands that we ask ourselves the same question - have we done our part in this process?

When someone is hired for a job, the employer does not assign that person a task without intention of following up later. In fact, the employer knows that a follow-up will yield better results on the first task and even on later tasks, since the conscientious employee knows to expect the employer's critique. Yet, we the people, have not followed-up on those we have hired to fill the most important positions in our nation . We have filled these positions and simply walked away, then we return a year or two later and criticise the poor performances.

What is our part in the democratic process? Apart from voting, we are responsible to follow-up on those we hire to lead our country. We are to be the conscience of their actions, motives and agenda. We are to be informed and play an active role in carefully watching our leaders. We are to let them know when we don't approve of an action and we are to praise them for a job well done. Democracy, by definition, requires the participation of the people or it just does not, nor can it possibly, work.

Those in office are to respond to the people; not just to the people that support them or with a business in their interest, but to all people - to the common people – those who put them in the powerful positions they hold. They are accountable to the people of Georgetown, as well as to the people of Essequibo, Berbice, Sophia, Buxton - the entire country.

One might ask, “How can these politicians know what the people from these various regions expect?” The answer is easy – the politicians should ask what is expected. This is democracy in action. The politicians have no problem making the rounds during an election year, but do they truly care about the people and their interests, once they are in office? If not, it is our job to make them care, since the only reason for holding that position is to serve the people.

I do not pretend to be ignorant of the immense amount of work involved in being a conscience and active part of the democratic process. It is no small chore to keep a trained eye on those in office, yet that does not relieve us of our duty to do so. This is where the media's role in democracy becomes vital. Balanced and unbiased journalism that is free and independent of government obligation or intervention is the best way to keep the pubic informed and to maintain democracy in its purest form.

The press is to act as a watchdog for the people. Though they are certainly to watch over many parts of society, their primary responsibility is to keep a constant eye on the government. A journalist who rides the heels of politicians is to be lauded as a courier of democracy. Though the politicians may grow weary of journalists, if their intentions are pure and their actions honourable, there should be nothing to fear when a reporter starts asking questions about their job. Journalism has proven to be the most reliable follow-up method available to the people, which can and should be utilized to its fullest extent.

However, let me make this abundantly clear: any unnecessary entanglements with the press, for it to serve the people and governmental officials, are a breach of trust. Newspapers that cater to the whims of politicians to garner favour are not to be trusted, and the papers they produce are worth nothing more than to clean up after a dog. Conversely, most newspapers gladly accept their role in society and wear that responsibility as a badge of honour.

The press is only one way to stay informed. There are also many political activist groups formed with the sole purpose of watching the elected officials. The existence of these groups promotes awareness among the people and accountability by the politicians. Though these groups often hold strong notions on certain issues, their presence in the democratic system serves as a powerful deterrent for wrongdoing, because they are usually watching every move of their rival politicians, waiting expectantly for a slip up.

In the end though, it is your responsibility and mine to watch our leaders through whatever means possible. Democracy cannot work without the follow-up requiring responsiveness and accountability from those whom we have hired to run our nation. It is a beautiful human quality to expect the best from others, including our leaders, but it is simply irresponsible to entrust them to a task and not check up on them regularly. The disappointment we feel is our own fault and it is time to fix the broken aspects of democracy in Guyana, lest she fall into unsuspecting hands of cruelty.

Human ingenuity and a thirst for freedom forged modern democracy so that all people, the great and the small, have a voice in the affairs concerning themselves. Shall we treat this precious commodity with the same disregard we have toward a long forgotten stained shirt that simply occupies drawer space? Ignorance in this case is not bliss. In fact, ignorance in this case is dangerous and knowledge is our friend.

Which do you choose? Ignorance at the cost of democracy - or knowledge which will require your time? Guyana expectantly awaits your reply.

Sunday, June 12, 2005

The Engaged Citizenry

There comes a point in the history of every country that its citizens must take upon themselves the burden of forming a decent and upstanding nation. Ideally, this happens during the early years of development and is not lost in the growth process. However, sometimes-good intentions do get lost in the shuffle of bureaucracy and in the end the citizens are the ones who suffer the most, as they are today.

For our nation, our declaration of independence from Britain was also a declaration of well-intentioned citizenry. There were aspirations of economic, social and political expansion. With a gleam of hope in our eye, we dreamed of the many possibilities that awaited a young and aspiring country.

Somehow, in the course of time, our hope was replaced with cynicism and regret. Our sense of decency suffers constant assailment to the point of fatigue. This last few weeks with the CXC debacle, even our children were made to suffer at the hands of those who would rob them of a substantial education and position them in a place of mockery in the academic world.

Though we are still just an adolescent country, it is quite clear that future history is calling upon our generation to carry the burden of defining the standards by which our country shall thrive. Our insatiable thirst for responsive leaders has increasingly become more desperate with each year since our independence and is now culminated in a people who are disengaged, disenchanted and disheartened about their fair Guyana.

“But not in vain we’ll strive to build, a new Guyana great and free; A land of glory and of hope, A land of love and Unity.” This children’s hymn demonstrates the hope of our hearts and this hope should no longer be deferred. We can no longer relinquish the sole responsibility for the integrity and decency of Guyana to the government. It is time for each of us to play a vital role in the next stage of development lest we lose the best of the human spirit to apathy and misanthropism.

We are a free people of a democratic nation. We alone decide the political fate of our leaders and we can blame no one but ourselves for the state of Guyana. Yet each election year we fall into the same trap contrived by so-call leaders who would divide our country in their quest for political power. They recklessly cry racial partiality and our typical knee-jerk response is just as reckless. We are better than this. We are more decent and have more wisdom than to play into their dangerous games of vilifying one race over another.

How sad indeed that what started as a friendship and then a disagreement between Jagan and Burnham decades ago now divides our nation by race. These are two men who initially worked together and accomplished so much as a team. Is it possible to redeem the values that aided the establishment of our independence to now create a morally astute society poised for civic maturation? Not only is it possible, it is desirable.

In fact, we should expect the unity of our countrymen and women and stand strong as one people against the wiles of scheming politicians. We should insist on decent politicians who understand that their one purpose in office is to serve the people and gladly accept that honour and responsibility. Our primary role as engaged citizens is to require this type of responsive government, which is in sharp contrast to the reactionary government now in place that only acts when desperation requires action.

“O children of Guyana, rise, Rise up and sing with happy tears: And bless the land that gave you birth, And vow to serve her through the years.” The Hymn for Guyana’s Children calls each of us to civic participation. We are the vessels of potential in our country and our children will take this burden seriously to the degree we take it seriously. Engaged citizenry is not a trait easily caught, instead it is a learned behaviour. We teach our children by our own participation or the lack thereof.

Indeed, the government was created for the people of Guyana – not the people for the government. Upon our own shoulders lay the responsibility of decency and the opportunity for greatness. There are some who might question their obligation as citizens since Guyana has offered them no great sense of pride. That is only because Guyana itself has been offered very little for which to be proud. A strong and united people cannot help but produce a strong country, which in turns produces even more strong citizens. This cyclic relationship begins in your hands and in mine. Together, our hands can build a thriving country.

If the “Third Force” only consists of disenfranchised politicians, then it is not the answer for Guyana’s woes. Yet if it consists of participation by all of us working together, the politicians, mothers, fathers, business men and women, farmers, teachers, students, the old, the young – then this would be all Guyanese working together for the good of the country and the outcome will be spectacular.

Consider these words by Anthony Trollope concerning Guyana:

When I settle out of England, and take to the colonies for good and all, British Guiana shall be the land of my adoption. If I call it Demerara perhaps I shall be better understood. At home there are prejudices against it I know. They say it is a low, swampy, muddy strip of alluvial soil, infested with rattlesnakes, gall nippers, and mosquitoes as big as turkey-cocks; that yellow fever rages there perennially; that the heat is unendurable; that society there is as stagnant as its waters; that men always die as soon as they reach it; and when they live are such wretched creatures that life is a misfortune… There was never a land so ill spoken of - and never one that deserved it so little. All the above calumnies I contradict; and as I lived there for a fortnight – would it could have been a month! – I expect to be believed.

…For Demerara is the Elysium of the tropics – The West Indian happy valley of Rasselas – the one true and actual Utopia of the Caribbean Seas – The Transatlantic Eden.

The men in Demerara are never angry, and the women are never cross. Life flows along on a perpetual stream of love, smiles, champagne, and small talk. Everybody has enough of everything. The only persons who do not thrive are the doctors…

Though these words were published in 1860, Trollope touched on so many of the reasons why we love our country and want to see it reach its potential on the world stage. True, Guyana is often underestimated and the subject of negative conversation, but we know the capabilities of our land and our people. The only way to see this prospectus realized is by finally shedding our old habits of expecting the government alone to make something out of Guyana and doing something about it ourselves.

Our hope does not lie in the hands of the president or parliament. We are Guyana and through unity we can do what no government to date has been able to accomplish – social, economic and political stability.

“Great is the task that Thou hast given: Thy will to show, Thy truth to find: To teach ourselves that we are one, in Thy great Universal Mind.”

Sunday, June 05, 2005

The Moral Fabric In Our Society

The highly regarded philosopher John Stuart Mill once said, “The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.” Seldom has this phrase been more true than with our dear country Guyana in the last few decades. As citizens we have sat idly on the sidelines and watched as our children have become accustomed to riots in the streets and racial segregation in the government. We have simply sat by and accepted these types of incidents as being a normal course of events, when in reality they are nothing short of a national moral tragedy.

So many times good men and women have called for an end to the depressing status quo attitude that promotes the continuing unacceptable condition of our nation. I applaud the efforts of these good people. Without the courage of such individuals, truly our country would be in a far worse condition.

However, now is not the time to lose heart or shy away from the good fight to better our country and ourselves. Mill also said, “The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.” Mediocrity has long been the acceptable attitude for many Guyanese. One individual can also feel overwhelmed and like there is nothing he or she can do to change the state of our country. However, the question should not be “Should I try?” or “Why should I try?” The question each Guyanese is obliged to ask them self is “How can I not try?”

We have allowed mediocrity to rule in our hearts and as a consequence, instability has ruled our nation. Any type of growth, whether political, social or economical, has not only been stunted in the wake of our indifference, but has fallen into sad disrepair. Fortunately, all is not lost for we can still be repaired.

If the people of Guyana rise up to their moral and civic responsibilities as citizens, we can ensure a future of hope for our children and for their children. This is our country and it is time to reclaim it by asserting our responsibilities to each other as friends, neighbours, business associates and fellow countrymen.

Truly the government cannot, nor should it be expected, to carry the entire burden of building a community of hope. Each citizen shares in this obligation to the community and to the country. The most obvious obligation is of course voting and participation in the political process. However, our obligations do not stop at the voting booth.

There are children who need tutoring, teen-agers who need structured community activities and young women who need training in child development. The elderly need a caring ear, new drivers need proper instruction and vacant lots need restoration. All of these are activities that will cost little if anything for a single individual to perform.

Just think of the possibilities if a group of citizens banded together to clear a field of garbage so the youth could organize a softball team with the guidance of some adults who would volunteer their time. Now imagine that happening over and over again in multiple neighbourhoods and a league forming for competition – all with little or no out of pocket expense. The community would become stronger, the children would feel more confident in themselves and their community and the area looks better, which raises the real estate value. All of this can be the result of just a few citizens who decide to take matters into their own hands instead of waiting for the government to do something for them.

Mill’s moral theory is based on the “Greatest Happiness Principle.” He maintains that moral decisions should be made by considering the greatest amount of happiness for all those involved in the decision. In other words, when faced with the decision of mediocrity or social and political activism, the moral decision would create the greatest amount of happiness for all involved. In this case, the Greatest Happiness Principle would dictate a moral decision for activism over mediocrity.

For example, single mothers are faced with numerous issues on a daily basis. As a community, we can help these women transform themselves into productive members of society by giving them the tools needed to perform effectively in job, thereby teaching them how to support themselves and their children independent of financial aid from others. By taking the time to teach these women a trade, we are also helping our community by creating citizens who can offer a significant contribution to the community instead of needing contributions to stay alive. This is the Greatest Happiness Principle in action. This is also civic morality at its best.

Community involvement is more than charitable - it is our moral obligation. Mill stated it so eloquently, “A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.” We have the power to turn Guyana into a viable, prosperous, and thriving country - one person at a time. If each citizen does his or her part to carry the load, we can see social reform come to our nation in a very short time.

Together, the citizens of Guyana can change the definition of what moral and civic obligations we have to each other, the community and the country at large. In time, this revamped definition will then become the moral fabric of our society, a standard by which we live and raise our children.

Instead of a nation of jaded citizens who feel exploited and abandoned by their government, we can turn the tide ourselves to ensure the health and vitality of our shared community interests through goodwill. It is time to stop waiting for the government or some other entity to come and save our communities and our country. This is a shared burden by a moral people. It’s time we saved ourselves. It’s time we saved our own country.