What is this thing called civil society? Does it exist? If yes, where is it and in what form?
First, a simple definition of civil society would be in order. It is a representative group of individuals and entities dedicated to the identifying, maintaining, and improving of certain minimum standards in specific areas of the political and social spectrum. As a practical matter, it is part pressure group, part watchdog, part moral force; it is many things in one coherent whole and which speaks with a persistent and influential voice on matters of policy and conduct. It can function as bridge, ladder, or spearhead, depending on circumstances. It is listened to, has weight, and is not frequently ignored or dismissed. In Guyana, its principal focus and search for standards would begin and end with the political. When it is fully functioning, political powers are usually left with little option but to respect, consult, consider, and even fear civil society as a catalyst for change. Does such a catalyst, such an entity exist locally?
When all things are considered: the state of society (wretched); the conduct of government (deplorable); the concentrated pressure brought to bear (non-existent); then the answer can only be a resounding No! There is no such thing – or anything closely resembling – what could be called a civil society body in Guyana today. And this has been the way for a considerable number of years now. Let’s take a look and see if this claim can hold up to close scrutiny.
The legitimate private sector concerns itself – at the expense of everything else – with business survival and success. One is hard pressed to quarrel too vigorously with this mindset, which can be best summed up as: “I don’t have time for politics; I have a business to run; I have to make a living; and I owe a duty to shareholders and employees.” The church struggles with the pursuit of higher spiritually amidst a rising decadence; it gropes to find a meaningful way forward amidst the accumulating tribulations of society. Almost the same can be said about the professional bodies, workers’ groups, and activist units. They know the situation that exists better than most, mean well, want to do something, but are apprehensive about standing out. None is desirous of attracting the wrath and sanctions of an omnipotent and vengeful government. All are fearful. Thus there prevails a wait-and-see strategy, where every entity and individual looks elsewhere for some sense of a beginning, critical mass, movement, and the force of the resisting winds. Everyone waits for some mythical ‘next man’ to step forward and take the lead. As ignominy is heaped upon society daily, and political misconduct proliferates, there is only watching, temperature reading, and agonizing over the prudency of involvement. It is said that the sequence in human conduct is best represented by emotion, ideas, organization, and action; Guyanese overflow with the first two, but shrink from the rest. As such, there is no ASCRIA equivalent today among Indians, even though there are Indians who share the same despair; there is no GUARD; there is no MAO. In reality, there is nothing of anything that can confront and pressure, or that is ready to stand up unyieldingly. Instead, there is only the cautious, the studious, and the waiting.
Well, nations – at least those with promise – are not built by such paralysis, or by the certainty of events that have no potential for failure. Stated differently, the wait for a ‘sure thing’ could be endless. Substantive change and progress will not happen on the backs of maverick writers, concerned members of the far flung diaspora, ill-timed and poorly executed demonstrations, or well-intentioned talk. All of this helps, and is an essential aspect of struggle and expression of resistance to the oppressive. But there is the dire need for more voices and boots on the ground; concentrated and sustained, and in an organized manner. It is where civil society can be a difference maker; where it is needed the most.
Unfortunately, it must be reiterated that there is no civil society group of stature – either in form or substance – in this country currently; no vibrant body that makes the government think or pause; no core around which others can rally. Instead there is a nation of quietists that seek the comfort of anonymity, emerging in isolated pockets only to protest when individual interests are threatened. There is a preference for living unnoticed in the shadows. It is highly likely that those who matter, who should be involved in supporting movement, will read this, ponder for a moment, then move right along the old familiar roads. They should recall Judge Learned Hand, “A society in which men recognize no check on their freedom soon becomes a society where freedom is the possession of only a savage few – as we have learned to our sorrow.”
So, Guyanese as a people can persist in lip synching that the country is in a terrible state, and the government needs to go. But if deep down, the superseding calls of money, race, comfort zone, and status persist, then the die is cast. There is no incentive for betterment; only a perpetuation of the status quo. There is no present and no future, except foreign shores for the fortunate, and drudgery for the masses. Further, there is a scarcity of hope for the evolution of civil society in this nation; only the resigned, opportunistic exercises of the resourceful and well resourced who stoop to exist through the charitable graces of those despised, but to whom obeisance is offered.
For their part, the unbowed can find motivation from Rough Rider Teddy Roosevelt: “Credit to the man… in the arena… marred by dust and sweat… who strives valiantly… his place shall never be with those timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” Surely Guyana did give birth to more than a few such hardy men and women. Unbowed men and women who are ready to take a stand, and let the chips fall wherever they do.
