GUYANA ’S DEMOCRACY QUESTIONS (11)

Weekly viewpoint by Robert Persaud

(The following is part two of excerpts of a presentation made to a `Democracy Symposium’ held at the University of Guyana Tain Campus, Berbice)

 

I intend this brief presentation by answering four basic questions that are relevant to the theme and purpose of this public symposium : 1. What is democracy? 2. What has been the impact of our brief experience with democracy? 3. Is our democracy threatened? 4. Why is democracy critical for our prosperity and stability?

 

Is our democracy threatened?

Given the nature of this form of government, there will be perpetual threats. Threats even exist in the world’s largest democracy - India - and also in one of the most dynamic democracies- the USA. Guyana is no different. Today, the more prominent threats to our democracy are: crime, poverty, corruption and political instability.

The singular or combined manifestations of these can undermine our democratic gains. For example, we all know the feeling that is created when there is rampant criminal activities and even criminal terror such as the disappearance of the sugar workers on the East Coast of Demerara. Crime can cause all sorts of reactions by the public that can harm our democracy. Also, it can lead to governments rolling back some of the democratic features as a society more focused on security is forced to sacrifice some of its freedoms. The criminals also limit the ability of the population to fully tap all the gains of democracy. The criminals who pillage, commit murders and terrorise are hitting directly at the backbone of democracy.

The second threat is poverty. This has been cut in half since the return of democracy. But the presence of poverty means the presence of a dangerous threat. People instinctively give bread and butter issues priority. Democracy for them is meaningless if it cannot answer their daily needs and fulfill their dreams. Poverty serves to inhibit people’s faith and belief in democracy. A view strongly held by the late President Cheddi Jagan when he observed (August 6, 1996): "Democracy can only prosper in an environment of economic, social and ecological development…If left unattended the expansion of poverty with hunger and the hopelessness it engenders will undermine the fabric of our civilization and the security of the democratic state….”

The third is corruption. This is like a cancer that can eat away at the fabric of any democracy. The on-going battle by the government to confront corruption can be seen as an effort to forestall this dangerous threat to our democracy. The tentacles of corruption can undermine our democracy and even have a demoralising effect on our citizenry to build their country and earn an honest living. There are instances where democractic governments have fallen under the millstone of rampant corruption, a fact of which the PPP/C is fully aware. In Guyana, people had to engage in corrupt activities just to get food. The culture of smuggling flour, potatoes, spilt peas, cooking oil and sardines, which were once banned, added to rigged elections led to the genesis of monstrous corruption in our society. This monster must be eliminated to preserve our democracy.

Sadly, in this day and age, there are those who still do not believe in the power of our people to choose their leaders. We see the fourth threat - political instability - and violence – manifested in after elections results, and even in court rulings. Those who promote political instability now have the audacity to seek foreign support for a non-elected government instead of a government that is freely and fairly-elected by all the people. Political instability is the Achilles heel of any democratic State.

Having identified these threats, there must be firm and decisive action by the government and all stakeholders, Opposition political parties included, which is consistent with the principles of democracy to crush the various threats to democracy.

Is democracy critical for our prosperity and stability?

The survival of this nation hinges on a lasting democratic environment. We do not have the luxury to experiment with any non-democratic arrangement to find out the consequences. The experiences of the 1964-1992 period tell the sordid story of destruction, deprivation and economic spoliation resulting from the absence of democracy.

This point was made by President Bharrat Jagdeo in his last Independence address to nation: “ In many respects, Guyana lost decades in terms of development. October,

1992 marked another important milestone in our country’s history. With the rebirth of democracy and the return to office of a freely elected government, a new phase in our national journey began. As in any journey with a destination in mind, we must know where we are heading if we are not to become lost en route, or to become diverted from our goals.”

It would also be useful for us to examine the indicators of progress since 1992 which will answer the question about the essentiality of democracy for our individual and collective survival. These evidence of progress are redounding to the prosperity and stability of this country.

While we reflect on the struggles to win democracy and celebrate the gains, we must not lose perspective of its critical importance locally and internationally as an agent of world peace. We must not take our democracy for granted as the enemies of freedom and democracy are lurking outside our doors. At times, commentators observe that we are too liberal with our democracy. But this is a price we must pay. We must prepare to fight to defend this democracy as our ancestors and freedom fighters did when they stood for what was good for them and the generations to come. Also, let us count ourselves fortunate as there are still many millions struggling to attain a basic democratic State.

And now I end on a provocative note: any democracy runs the risk of perishing by the abuse of democracy.

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