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PPPC politicising Public Service
Dear Editor,
One of the most important safeguards in a democracy is the clear separation between politics and administration. This is not a new idea. In 1887, Woodrow Wilson articulated the politics–administration dichotomy—politicians decide policy; administrators implement it impartially. Max Weber reinforced this in his model of rational–legal bureaucracy, where appointments and promotions are based on merit, governed by clear rules, and insulated from personal or political influence.
Internationally, Westminster-style democracies like the UK, Canada, and Australia enforce this principle strictly: permanent secretaries and senior public officers remain visibly non-partisan, refrain from political activities, and serve the government of the day with impartial advice—regardless of party. Their neutrality preserves public trust in state institutions.
Guyana’s Constitution embeds this principle. Article 38G guarantees the integrity of the public service, protecting officers from being compelled to carry out irregular acts and requiring them only to implement lawful government policies. The Public Service Commission (PSC), constitutionally autonomous, is tasked with making appointments and promotions on merit—not on party loyalty. Since 1953, the PSC’s purpose has been to shield the public service from political capture.
The Lutchman Commission of Inquiry (2016) warned that sustained one-party dominance undermines the Westminster model, eroding the independence and professionalism of the service. It recommended a Public Service Law to enshrine neutrality and meritocracy in statute—recommendations still not implemented.
Regrettably, under the current PPP/C administration, the lines between public service and party machinery have all but vanished. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has openly declared that permanent secretaries can participate politically (Kaieteur News, “Jagdeo is wrong yet again,” May 18, 2024). This is not merely a casual statement—it is a rewriting of the rules that effectively sanctions partisan control over the state apparatus.
The effects are plain:
- Administration weakened – professional decisions become politicized, competence is sidelined, and impartiality is abandoned.
- Party paramountcy revived – the ruling party’s interests take precedence over national service.
- Generational shift in values – many young public servants now see political loyalty as the only reliable path to job security and promotion. Some are openly engaged, during official work hours, in campaign-related activities such as checking voters’ lists or mobilizing support for the party.
This culture teaches that allegiance to the PPP/C, not performance, is the key to advancement. The result is a state machinery that serves the ruling party first, the people second. It is the very opposite of what our constitutional order intends.
A truly professional public service is not an abstract ideal—it is a democratic necessity. Without it, we risk sliding deeper into a system of patronage politics, where the colours you wear matter more than the work you do. Guyana deserves—and our Constitution demands—a public service that serves the nation, not the party.
Yours faithfully,
A. Rampersaud
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