I think what is happening in the Caricom is a clear problem with a ideological consensus of our development agenda. Our ideological approach to development in caricom has been eclectic and at best, most recent, have taken on more expansive neo-liberal stance to respond to the challenges of the new world order – globalization, free trade and so on – but our grounding has always been towards a social democratic political economy which historically has seen much government action in support of our economies.

Unlike Guyana, the other Heads of Governments have been moving their political economy to a point where the government is becoming lesser of a provider of goods and services and more a facilitator and regulator of the provision of these goods and services. Hence the interest of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica over the services and investment parts of the EPA and a general enthusiasm about the EPA presenting a new dispensation in regional and international economic relations, that the region has an opportunity to make a paradigm shift from dependency to self sustainability.

Despite Guyana employing neo-liberal IMF/WB policies, there is hardly any evidence that the political economy is moving in that direction. Much of this is due to the ideological position of the PPP and th political economy being dominated and distorted by underground sector dominance encouraged through collusion with government/state protection of key players. Such activities serve to undermine the developmental thrust of the country and creating conditions for harbouring incompetence, perpetuation of poor governance and the practices of nepotism, marginalization, etc. Guyana is way behind the other caribbean territories in restructuring its political economy to respond to the new world economic order.

Let me say up front that I do not believe Jagdeo’s charade over the EPA had anything to do with ideological groundings but rather narrow domestic political considerations re the impact of his failure to prepare for what was in the pipeline for some time now, how will he deal with the PPP support base which is basically sugar and rice workers.

From an ideological position, I would say that Professor Thomas, Sir Shridat and some of the other caribbean intellectuals have been making the case against the EPA based on their ideological inspiration of solidarity and equality; a mix of social democracy and conservative and latin ideological positions.

I don’t know how these goodly caribbean citizens would move the world around from its dominant ideological position of liberty where the market is the central institution back around to one of equality and solidarity where the state is the central figure. Comments in Sir Shridat’s “congratulatory” note to Jagdeo seem to suggest that this can happen within the next five years.

Joe.

Or was the EU decision a once in a lifetime achievement?

Bannas you make it sound like somebody used a shot-gun to put these jokers at the helm of the Gov’t of Guyana. The PPP, Mrs Jagan and President Jagdeo all knew what they were getting into, before they took to governing Guyana. ‘Little piggy asked its mama, mama why ya mouth sa lang, then mama said…………’

However, now that the realities of governing appears to be much tougher than criticizing from the opposition bench, every sycophant wants to give them a pass. All I hear is excuses for failure and incompetence. Well my friend, the Guyanese people can’t afford anymore costly failures.

And yes Mack “Guyana’s prosperity depends on farming and developing industry around that”. Question is…How come those in power are not diligently pursuing this priority without malice??…..

Also what happened during the 4 yrs of negotiation, could not all of this be pointed out. Nevertheless I admire his decision to stand firm even without the backing of Caricom [no love lost]. Had it been Jamaica/Barbados or another nation, Caricom would have paid more attention…..Just the stepchild hollering …sooooo, the classic response; close ranks around the carribbean!

You’ve provided some telling reasons why Jagdeo is a failure! I can give more, but I’ll let yours stand for now! Foreign debt under Jagdeo would also have decreased under Hoyte if Hoyte had won in 1992, because all that was required was for the administration to comply with basic requirements of multilateral lending institutions. By complying, the multilateral lending institutions met us half way by writing off or forgiving lots of our foreign debts. We did not repay all of our foreign debt!

And your recognition of the important role of agriculture as the basis for our economic development seems to have missed the eyes and minds of the PPP leadership. For a party that has a support base that is deeply rooted in agroculture, I am shocked that the PPP came back into office in 1992 without a massive diversified agricultural development program, with manufacturing and processing spin-offs.

In fact, the PPP did not have a major economic plan, period! And this was amplified after Cheddi died and Janet took over then stepped down to let Jagdeo run the country. There still is no major economic vision. Agricultre should have been leading the way while we await the production of oil from our developing reserves. The PPP is more interested in holding political power that empowering the people economically.