A New Political Posture

Aug 09, 2010 Editorial

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”
It was in those unforgettable words that Charles Dickens described his era more than two hundred years ago. If we were to try to apply the description to our own country today, we are quite sure that it would precipitate reactions from our citizens that are split right down the middle.
Supporters of the government would most likely affirm that it is indeed the best of times – compared with the infamous “twenty-eight” years of yore, of course.
The national debt has been reduced to serviceable levels; more citizens have been housed than in any other comparable period in our history; the consequent housing boom has created a plethora of jobs and ancillary businesses; the infrastructure has been refurbished and extended; poverty continues to be pushed downward; massive economy-transformative projects are in the offing and it would appear that the waves of banditry have been brought under control.
Supporters of the opposition, on the other hand, would swear that it is the very worse of times. Corruption has become so pervasive that it is threatening the very fabric of society – not to mention the body politic; the arrogance of government officials dulls the spirit of the browbeaten populace; half of that populace are locked out of the consultative process that is vital for national cohesion; and that half of the populace insist that a rise in national aggregate income masks the skewed distribution of that income: there is rampant discrimination and racism in the distribution of the national patrimony.
Such divergences of views, of course, are not unusual in most democracies in the world – especially those that are in the throes of gearing up for national elections. It is expected that those vying to replace the incumbent administration will burnish their own wares even as they malign the efforts and record of the former. And vice-versa.
There are significant differences in our situation, however, that present potential dangers to our continued development. There is first and foremost, the intensity of the articulation of our disagreements: it has long passed the stage of picong and gaff.
In most functioning democracies, there are implicit lines in the political discourse that are never crossed for fear that after the elections, the dissention created in the citizenry would derail the national purpose.
In the instance of our country, we are a much fractured society to begin with: race, ethnicity; religion and class have all played their parts in tearing us asunder. We cannot be oblivious to the potential for further deepening of our divides if we are not careful with our rhetoric. Every election after 1992, while certifiably “free and fair” by the conventions of the day, have been associated with violence precipitated by the antagonism of the ongoing virulent political discourse.
It would be trite to point out that those girding their loins for the upcoming elections have to make a concerted effort to prevent a repeat of our past. In our estimation, the crafting and endorsement of a “Democratic Pact” might go a long way in precluding that eventuality. In the bandidage hurled to date, there has been a surprising amount of unanimity on several issues that might form the basis of such an agreement: reduction of the powers of the president, addressing corruption, professionalisation of the armed forces, equitable development, limits on campaign spending, etc.
It might be too much to hope that all the contenders for power would also commit to a possible “Government of National Unity” but then, hope does beat eternal…especially in the hearts of those that have been stymied for so long in fulfilling their dreams. It is to the benefit of all Guyanese if our politicians would adopt this new political posture.

Latest News

A New Political Posture

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyana boys team selected for 2025 PAHF Jr Challenge

Mainstay Goldstar FC receives NSC support ahead...

Lusignan Golf Club Announces the 2025 Ansa McAL...

Guyana U-20 Women’s squad arrives in Antigua...

GCB saddened at the passing of former GCB...

BCB strengthens Executive body as moves made to...

Features/Columnists

A flawed interpretation of international law

CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies

Dissecting, dissembling, clearing up covering up

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

A New Political Posture

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]