Food for thought on MPs as lawmakers

Feb 07, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
To understand the tendencies for present and future law-abiding behaviour in a nation, especially among MPs as lawmakers, we must begin with their public attitude and behaviour toward the polity and their role and responsibilities within the political system.

A nation’s political culture includes its citizens’ orientations, inclusive of MPs, toward the political system and the accompanying policy-making process and policy outcomes. It involves the citizens and leaders’ views of and commitment to the values and organisations that hold the political system together. There are expectations of how MPs should function and their professional relationships and with the polity.

In order to reach a high level of legitimacy in Guyana, citizens must obey the law, since a political system and a government with high legitimacy would be more effective. Legitimacy sucks when MPs fail to comply with the laws of this country. Whether legitimacy is based on tradition, ideology, citizen participation, or specific policies, the basis of legitimacy defines the fundamental understanding between citizens and political authorities.

The rule of the game is that citizens should obey the law, and in return, the government meets the obligations set by the terms of its legitimacy. In the present context, many MPs as lawmakers are flouting the Integrity Commission Act 1997, the law of the land, in not making declarations on their incomes, assets, and liabilities to the Integrity Commission.
Stephen Bernard

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