No separation of administration from politics under PPP Government

Jun 09, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The politics-administration dichotomy is a theory that constructs the boundaries of public administration and asserts the normative relationship between elected officials and administrators in a democratic society.

Woodrow Wilson’s politics-administration dichotomy can potentially be substantial in sustaining a strong productive government. The complexity, difficulty level and ample multiplication of governmental functions can be seen as a main component in the cause to implement the politics-administration dichotomy. Due to Wilson’s lack of faith in republican self-government and the overwhelming amount of “selfish, ignorant, timid, stubborn, or foolish” persons whom the “bulk of can vote,” this model provides a solution that would counteract the majority of the incumbent voters. By employing the elite philosophical leaders to improve, shape, condition and sway public opinion, politics-administration dichotomy, if carried out in an unselfish manner leaves little to no room for error.

Woodrow Wilson’s model created one of the first concepts of checks and balances, which is one of the most predominant systems of democratic accountability used to shape the United States government. Nevertheless, “separating the will of the people from politics” could be extremely beneficial and institutionally separating administration from politics could prove valuable in sustaining government accountability.

Politics-administration dichotomy also leads to political neutrality. The blurring of “politics” and “policy” has cause to the advocations to dismiss “partisan politics” rather than “policy politics.” The importance of neutrality in politics and policy are established within the politics-administration dichotomy.

At a time when the need for checks and balances is needed for than ever, all systems to hold the government in check is blurred. We have an Ethnic Relations Commission that is pro PPPC, we have a GECOM where the top 3 officers are voted and supported by PPPC Commissioners, we have a Public Procurement Commission that is saddled with Pro PPPC Commissioners and the list goes on.

We also have now at the Regional level, which is the administration arm of Government, Pro PPPC Permanent Secretary and Regional Executive Officers. There was a convention that government workers should not be seen actively involved in party politics since that was in the realm of the politicians. Now this is not the case, daily REOs are seen organizing party meetings. It is sad that staff members who don’t want to attend these meetings are victimized in different ways.

This brings another issue into play. The playing ground for politics in Guyana is uneven. PPPC is abusing state resources for the local government Elections. Many of the contractors have to support not because they like the party but it’s the only way to get a contract for their sustanenance.

Arguably, the father of American political administration, Wilson, in his essay ‘The Study of Administration’, suggested that in order to have objectivity and progress, the administration must be separate from politics. The political/administration dichotomy aimed to separate the power between political leaders and the merit-based appointment of professional permanent civil servants in the administrative state .

With contract employment replacing professional civil servants, the PPPC government have dismantled all forms of professionalism at the level of government agency. They are all managed by cronies. The introduction of 10 days workers have added to salt to wounds, as their presence demoralize those professionals who studied hard to earn a place. Whereas all that is needed is a PPP  political contact to get a job. This is not a One Guyana but a PPPC abused Guyana.

This is why PPPC governments will always fail.

At the turn of the 20th century, the field focused on making the bureaucracy more effective. The field’s basic premise was to take a business-like approach to government and its activities. PPPC clearly don’t know of this model.  They want to control every sector.  The Private Sector has no choice but to give because that’s the only way to survive without being blacklisted. The hate politics that results in victimization is the legacy of PPPC. Guyana and Guyanese are doomed since APNUAFC and PPPC are no better. They are cut from the same cloth.  With the undermining of the Public Accounts Committe, and highly political bureaucrat, who will hold PPPC accountable for the trespasses.

Regards,

H. Singh.

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• administration, H. Singh, PPP, public, Woodrow Wilson

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