Shared governance is the antithesis of democracy

Dear Editor,

Prof. Bishnodat Persaud, formerly Director and Head of Economic Affairs Division of the British Commonwealth Secretariat in a published letter in SN (Jan. 2003) wrote:

“It is interesting to consider whether, if he [former president Desmond Hoyte] had redirected reform to his party and developed it as a genuine multiracial and responsible force, he would not have resumed the presidency [in 2001]”.

On the effect of the swing vote and the capacity of the Guyanese people to vote their self-interests, Prof. Bishnodat Persaud wrote: “It continues to be the case that a small voting swing could result in a change, but those who believe in the myth of a permanent ethnic majority are only reacting in ways which confirm the myth. Large numbers may persist in voting racially but we should not underestimate the Guyanese people and motives such as interest, nationalism, and integrity”.

In my letters published in the independent press, I have always stressed two things: (1) The need for the ethnic parties – Indo-ethnic PPP, Afro-ethnic PNC – to begin the process of transforming themselves into genuine multiracial parties; (2) Such transformations will undoubtedly encourage a small swing of the racial vote of as little as five percent, just sufficient to produce a change of government.

Letters advocating “shared governance” filling up the letter columns daily are such a waste of time. It is such a bad idea – it should have been debunked years ago. It is the antithesis of democracy. Yes, indeed we do have a flawed democracy now; that does not mean we should adopt “shared governance” which would permanently foreclose any possibility of developing genuine democracy. Shared governance also mocks at the citizens’ ability and capacity to vote their self-interests.

No party in democratic societies can govern satisfactorily and win the allegiance of the majority forever. The record has shown that the pendulum of power always turns to an alternative party or coalition of parties every two or three election cycles. If the ruling Indo-ethnic PPP has bucked that trend (1992, 1997, 2001, 2006), it is simply because of the culture of racial voting – and the failure of the opposition PNC to reform itself. The Indo-ethnic PPP will feel no compulsion to reform itself, as it continues to exploit the numerical advantage of the Indian population.

The issues of high taxation (16% “killer” Vat Tax) and lack of law and order (unsolved crimes, burgeoning homicide rates, traumatized fear of being robbed and killed) would produce a 15-25 percent vote swing in any normal democratic societies, but not in Guyana. Why not?  Because of the fear of an unreformed Afro-ethnic PNC coming back to power. People vote their racial fears rather than the hardships imposed by bread-and-butter and crime issues.

On top of all this the most egregious or galling thing is the Jagdeo Administration’s refusal to accept help from the British Govt. to reform the police force. And no one knows or understands the real reason for such refusal.

Again it is instructive to quote Prof. Bishnodat: “ …. Let us attempt to abandon racial myopia, and false consciousness. We owe this to the many Guyanese, who are in deep agony today. We are already becoming too callous about their suffering. The costs are severe and not just to many, but to all.”

Prof. Bishnodat’s letter dealt with several themes and should serve as an important source document for students studying the transition of Guyana’s economy from a socialist to a free market one. It also highlighted the role of Sir Shridath Ramphal in 1987, then the Commonwealth Secretary-General in helping President Hoyte fulfill his desire to end the practice of socialist economics that had ruined the nation’s economy and made it insolvent. Ramphal may have helped then dictator Burnham in the lead up to the rigged 1968 elections, but came back to help his country in its hour of need.

In conjunction with all the other work he has been doing to help Caribbean nations, Ramphal’s reputation today stands fully redeemed.

Yours faithfully,
Mike Persaud