Term limits cannot be philosophically rejected

May 12, 2011 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

One of the things I can never understand about the Vatican is its acceptance that the Pope can rule until he dies if he chooses not to retire. Aging is a scientific reality in that it reduces one’s functions terribly, even if one remains healthy.
For example, one cannot be as effective an organizer at 90 years as when one was much younger. How many events can you attend in one day at 90?
Take a look at pre-presidential Obama and the man today and you see the effects of the stress. In the case of Pope John Paul II, he was impaired physically and ought to have been rested by the Catholic hierarchy. Many times on live television, viewers would see the Pope unable to continue his speech or to stand up or even to remain at the function of which he was the main attraction.
Just before he died, he was terribly ill. What argument could one muster to defend the continuation in power of a head whose health has so badly deteriorated that it renders him/her functionally ineffective.
Term limits have some great philosophical arguments that cannot easily be defeated. I can think of five of them. First, it removes the concentration of power which can reach evil proportions. Fidel Castro actually believes that he is a Cuban god and it was his longevity in power (a few months short of fifty years) that made him think that of himself. His brother Raúl (the longest serving Minister of Defence in history – 51 years) has suddenly discovered the virtue of term limits and has decided to argue for its implementation in the Cuban leadership structure in the future.
Secondly, it allows for the birth of newer people with newer ideas. Thirdly, it provides the opportunity for the nurturing of leadership. This was Aristotle’s main argument against the Philosopher-King class of his teacher, Plato. Plato himself conceded that weakness in his outline of the republic before Aristotle voiced his criticism and modified the rule of the Philosopher-King class under a new framework he called the Nocturnal Council. Fourthly, term limits prevent the birth of a possessive mentality.
The longer a person stays in control, the greater is the tendency to see the country or organization’s resources as his own. Finally, term limit is part of human destiny, in that you make your mark, and you move on in life to other endeavours.
In Guyana, the absence of term limits has led to extensive power-absoluteness. I can think of five organizations in Guyana in which every citizen should demand term limits. They are the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Guyana Olympics Association (GOA), African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), Guyana Consumer Association (GCA) and the Catholic Standard Board.
Mr. Mike Mc Cormack and his wife have done excellent work in the GHRA. But they have been at the helm for over thirty years. The Secretary of the GOA has chalked up thirty years. The chairman, attorney, Mr. Juman Yassin, has achieved twenty-five years. Is there no one in Guyana who can be his replacement?
Ms. Baptiste has been the head of ACDA since its formation at the beginning of the nineties. She is about to secure two decades of headship. Isn’t there any African-Guyanese who could have taken over from her after her first decade in office? The architect, Albert Rodrigues, has been the chairman of the board of the Catholic Standard newspaper for well over thirty-five years. Is there no other Catholic that can fill his shoes? My answer is yes. What about my cousin, William Cox?
When is Ms. Eileen Cox going to relinquish her long held chairmanship of the Guyana Consumer Association? The women’s rights group, Red Thread, seems to be going in that direction too.
Mr. Christopher Ram said that he has successfully pioneered term limits in the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association. My union at UG has introduced term limits in every sphere of leadership beginning with the president right down to the executives. The president can only serve two consecutive terms. Then after three years is allowed one more term. After that, the president cannot secure the headship of the union until a lapse of five years. Once chairman, you cannot ever serve as vice-chairman later down the years.
I call upon the leaders of all those organizations I have named and those similar ones that I have left out to give way to newer leaders. You have served your country excellently. Do not bask in absolute power. I hope this column of mine does not make me a villain in the eyes of some. Nothing personal is intended.

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Term limits cannot be philosophically rejected

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