An inclusive society requires informed decision-making

Jul 17, 2023 Peeping Tom

---

Peeping tom…

Kaieteur News – In a recent op-ed piece in The Washington Post, Fareed Zakaria illustrated the deep division in America over the government’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He pointed out, for example, that while almost 8 out of every 10 Democrats want America to help Ukraine regain lost territory, almost one in every 2 Democrats would like to end the conflict quickly even if it involves allowing Russia to hold on to territory seized.

The assumption has always been that while the Democrats and Republicans may be divided, ideologically and in terms of practical policy, on domestic issues, when it comes to foreign policy, there is consensus among Republicans and Democrats. That is clearly not so and it shows how increasingly divided America is becoming.

Meanwhile, here in Guyana, the President has said that under the ‘One Guyana’ banner he is constructing an inclusive society. But to build an inclusive society requires adopting policies that enjoy national support either through consensus, or by being responsive to various sectarian interests? What mechanism would the President use to determine that his policies are so responsive?

The President’s recent press conference showed just how out of sync he is with the public interest. He went on and on about the achievements of his government, while the media were more interested in topical issues such as the COI into the Mahdia disaster and the resignation of one of his Ministers.

Opinions polls are an effective means to allow for government to be in touch with the pulse of the nation. But such polls are non-existent in Guyana and therefore the government cannot claim to be acting in the interests of the people, when the concerns and views of the people are not known or cannot be canvassed.

Opinion polls are valuable tools in developing inclusive policies.  By gathering and analyzing data from diverse populations, pollsters enable policymakers to make informed decisions that promote equal representation, address societal disparities, and create a more inclusive society.

Opinion polls also provide a good means to allow minorities to have their voices heard. The media is often dominated by the views of the mainstream sections of society, especially vested class interests. But who speaks on behalf of minorities – and Guyana has become a nation of minorities.

Opinion polls can allow for marginalized communities, particularly our indigenous peoples and other groups that are underrepresented or excluded from decision making, to ventilate their perspectives and demands. Armed with this information, policymakers can make more inclusive and equitable decisions, ensuring that the needs and concerns of all citizens are taken into account.

Opinions polls can also be an effective tool for identifying and addressing societal disparities. By conducting targeted surveys and opinion polls, researchers and organizations can provide policymakers with insights into specific challenges faced by different segments of society. In turn, this information knowledge can inform policy initiatives, social programs, and interventions that aim to reduce inequality and provide equal opportunities for all members of society, and thus help to create a more inclusive society.

Inclusive policies that consider diverse perspectives are more likely to gain widespread support and have a positive impact on society. Through ongoing feedback and continuous polling, policymakers can adjust and refine their approaches to ensure that the implementation of policies aligns with the evolving needs of a diverse population.

Unfortunately, in Guyana we do not have a culture of opinion polls. The few that are said to be conducted are either often flawed or created with skepticism because of the perceived political affiliation or biases of the persons conducting them.

And even when political parties commission such studies, the findings are often questioned when these findings conflict with vested political interests. Just after the 2019 no-confidence motion, an opinion poll suggested that had elections been held immediately, the APNU+AFC would have had a slender majority. But those findings were dismissed, and the rest of now history.

If Guyana is to build a truly inclusive society, then provision has to be made to accommodate the views, concerns and the needs of all sections of society. But who speaks for all segments of our society? Society is a complex amalgam of classes, races, groups and interests. The only effective means of gauging these views, concerns and needs is through opinion polls.

If there is any priority support which the ABC and E countries should provide to high-income Guyana, now and in the future, it would be to provide support to credible organizations willing to undertake opinion polls.

International financial organizations now demand environmental impact assessments before financing major projects. They should equally commission opinion polls to determine whether the projects they finance enjoy national support.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Kaieteur News.

 

---

• Armed with this information, Fareed Zakaria, policymakers, That is clearly not so and it shows how increasingly, The Washington Post

---