Delroy ChuckWITH THE country in a chronic state of crisis, chaos and confusion, it is easy to find scapegoats to blame. Apologists for the government blame the Opposition for failing to keep the government on the right path and to provide the government with alternative ideas and solutions for good government. Others blame the system. In fact, it is Danny Melville's powerful letter of resignation from Parliament that many have seized on to blame the political system for the many ills, corruption and inability to achieve excellence and prosperity for the Jamaican people.
But, is the system wholly at fault? We seem to have forgotten the wonderful years of the 1960s, when the country grew in leaps and bounds, when Jamaica was a model for Third World development, an island paradise and the jewel of the Caribbean. We fail to acknowledge the good performance and governance of other Caribbean territories, such as Barbados, Bahamas, etc., with almost identical people and culture like ours, yet have succeeded with the same political system. Why have these countries succeeded while we have failed? Why in the 1980s, while we struggled economically, there were still high hopes and great expectations of a better life. We were not blaming the system then.
Why has Guyana, potentially the richest country in the Commonwealth Caribbean, failed to develop, after trying a Presidential form of government? Could it be the political dogma practised by the party in power? To be sure, Jamaica, like Guyana, suffered from the misguided political doctrine of socialism. And, we still have leaders who tout and practice this foolish political message and continue to manage a command economy that only stifles growth and production.
The other Caribbean islands were mercifully spared the rhetoric, dogma and practice of socialism, and developed their political system and culture in peace and harmony. Their politicians also attend funerals, provide patronage and are symbols of partisan politics, but their politics do not turn into violent conflicts and tribal warfare. Here in Jamaica, we have made patronage into an art and turn partisan politics into a fight for scarce benefits and spoils.
Undoubtedly, the political system has many faults and major defects, but which system doesn't? Our political practice has fostered, nourished and encouraged patronage, clientelism, dependency and corruption. The system has spawned a political culture that has made the control and exercise of power the most important features of national life. Every area of national life is affected and influenced by the primacy of politics and the glorification of power.
Danny Melville puts it well, he describes the system as one "that glorifies mediocrity and denigrates any vision of excellence." and adds that our present system "whereby politics reigns supreme over all other consideration...is a system that cannot deliver success." Danny is right. Any system, Parliamentary or Presidential, in which politics reigns supreme cannot deliver success. That is why communism has failed and its cousin, socialism, will fail. That is why the Presidential system, the American model or otherwise, will also fail if politics reigns supreme and determines who gets what, when and where.
To be sure, the partisan nature of politics cannot be avoided but it can be overdone. Just look at what is happening to the 2000 American Presidential Election. Democrats and Republicans are willing to use every possible channel to ensure that their candidate becomes President.
Economic progress
Much of the tribalism complained of in Jamaica can now be seen in the USA, and unless the election result is settled soon, it could get worse. What I consider important however is that the American people are fighting over issues, policies and the direction that the country will take rather than over bread and butter issues.
In Jamaica, we are still at that decadent level at which people believe, and perhaps understand, that their survival, economic progress and social well-being depend on which party is in power. It is that miserable political level, of which Danny complains and from we need to move. We yearn for a political path or culture in which politics is not practised with the fanatical fervour, heartless tribalism and nasty character assassination. In essence, we want politicians who can strive to make our society a kinder and gentler one. We want politicians who can elevate politics to a competition of ideas, policies and political direction instead of a conflict over who can distribute and share the wealth of the nation.
I do not accept that this political path can only be found in a new political system. While I concede that the present political system is weak and needs strengthening, I do not concede that removing it in exchange for a Presidential system would improve the process, remove the corruption, alleviate the poverty and generate a better society, especially if politics reigns supreme. What we urgently need is to improve the whole political process to achieve greater openness, transparency and accountability in the affairs of government. It is simply wrong that contracts, appointments, licences, business deals, and so on, are oftentimes made in secret and are substantially determined on the basis of partisan consideration.
It is time for every Jamaican to stop blaming others, the political system and everything else but him or herself, and do something about the impending disaster unfolding before our eyes.
Each of us can begin by understanding that like it or not politics impacts on our lives. Each of us, therefore, has a duty to get involved in the political process, even to use and exercise our vote wisely after understanding the issues, policies and direction of the competing political interests. If we fail to do so, then it really doesn't matter what political system we have, we deserve the failed and rotten society we get.
Delroy Chuck is an attorney-at-law and Opposition Member of Parliament. He can be contacted by e-mail at delchuck@hotmail.com.
