Why Guyana should embrace republican democracy and not socialism
June 30, 2008
It is stated in the constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Cap 1:01) that:
“Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”
Because the constitution was written in the 60s, I want to assume that the reference to socialism is socialism in the traditional sense which aims to end the predominance of the capitalist system, or in the Marxist sense, which aims to replace it entirely. For Karl Marx, who helped establish and define the modern socialist movement, socialism would be the socioeconomic system that arises after the proletarian revolution, in which the means of production are owned collectively. This society would then progress into communism.
Therefore, if Guyana is (or was) in fact in transition from a capitalist to a socialist state, then our natural progression would be towards communism—Guyana, a communist state? It is sort of unthinkable that our constitution would put us on the path towards this failed political ideology. We only need to look at countries such as the former USSR, Cuba, China, North Korea and others to understand the devastating impact of this ideology on human rights, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
However, Guyana as a communist state is somewhat too much of a radical vision I suppose, or is it? Because it is hard for me to fathom, I will move towards another assumption. I assume that the constitution allows us to embrace a more modern reformed definition of socialism, which we will call democratic socialism. Instead of the strict socialist establishment, social democracy aims at the reformation of the capitalist system in a democratic way. This it seeks to achieve through government intervention by state regulation and state sponsored programs. These programs are intended to mitigate the so-called injustices inflicted by capitalism. However, they are often funded by the tax payer’s money. Hence high taxation usually characterizes democratic socialism.
But should government get involved in regulating some things in society, things in which they usually have no business? Take for example public education, welfare, and health care. History has taught us that governments are horrible at the administration of these programs. Public education, under government control, has been extremely inferior and citizens seek out private education instead. May be education should be left to the private sector which will give people choice and parents can select schools that match their own beliefs and culture. Schools will have to ensure that their product is the best and available at a reasonable cost. Further, we cannot underestimate the contribution of charity as well. The poor can be supported through charitable programs coming from such institutions as churches, foundations, even corporations. Should government regulate prayer in school? The fact of the matter is that social democrats get involved in very personal decisions that people should be making for themselves. We don’t need a “big brother”, we need a government. The fundamental purpose of government is the maintenance of basic security and public order, without which individuals cannot attempt to find happiness.
Personally, I think that too much government intervention keeps people poor because people get lazy when they think government is going to do everything for them, especially when one-thirds of your earnings go towards taxes. Too much government regulation limits innovation and transitions the responsibility of innovation from the citizens to the government. Under a social democracy, people sit and wait for their government to devise programs to improve the economy of the country. The government has to devise ideas to “save” the country. What happened to the people? Can’t we think for ourselves and provide ideas for the improvement of our country and be free to pursue those ideas in a free market economy? I guess not. This is probably why many people in Guyana wait for the government to send a heavy duty machine and operator to clean their own drains rather than clean it themselves. Economic and technological innovativeness should be the responsibility of the people (individuals and groups) and the government should create an environment of security and order so that Guyanese can pursue their dreams.
Therefore, I propose a different form of government—a different socioeconomic system for Guyana—a republican democracy. Some may argue that we are already a democratic republic, but sometimes names can be deceptive. Having the words “people’s” or “democratic” or “republic” in the name of a country can, in some cases bear no relation with the true concepts of democracy. In fact, the phrase “People’s Democratic Republic” was often synonymous with Marxist dictatorships during the Cold War.
In a republican democracy the people are sovereign—without the sovereignty of the people the state itself cannot be sovereign. The emphasis is on liberty, rule of law, popular sovereignty and the civic virtue practiced by citizens. Republicanism always stands in opposition to aristocracy and dictatorship. More broadly, it refers to a political system that protects liberty, especially by incorporating a rule of law that cannot be arbitrarily ignored by the government. The emphasis should be on widespread citizen participation, civic virtue, and opposition to corruption. A republican democracy should be characterized by limited government—leave government to improve the security forces such as the police and army. This is definitely not the case in Guyana. Our army probably couldn’t stand up to an invading army of ants. Finally, low taxes which do not punish productivity should become the hallmark of the government.
Kofi Dalrymple
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20 Responses to “Why Guyana should embrace republican democracy and not socialism”
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We need to ask the current leaders in place in Guyana if they would live in Guyana if they had a choice and if they did not hold such roles?
Guyana needs foreign intervention,,because the government is fiancially corrupt and all sectors of the public service are feeling the burden.
Can Jagdeo tell us what he learned from the recent caricom meeting in New York?
Do we really need foreign intervention? Can the citizens of Guyana not demand that their govt answer to them? Can we not use the power of our vote, the power of our democracy to demand change? Why can’t we bring about the change that we desire? I think that this is part of the Guyanese problem, we always want someone to rescue us; first it’s the govt and when they fail us, we ask the CARICOM to step in, then the UN. I believe that domestic issues can be solved if Guyanese felt they had enough and stood for change, stood for democracy, stood for justice, stood for transparency in govt. It’s up to us!
Guyanese are lazy! Yes, the country is not in a state to offer any kind of success to anyone, but I believe people can still create economic opportunity. Guyanese need to start stepping up and start making things happen for themselves.
There’s corruption in the government, yes (nothing new there), but Guyanese can stand up and so something instead of running away.
I think Guyana needs outside assistance to help reshape the country. I think Jagdeo is heading in the right direction and is doing what he can within his limits, but I don’t know whether his ego gets in the way… but I see from the previous article posted on this blog it mentions that he, Jagdeo, has sought assistance from the U.S.
Tell me how many Guyanese want to take ownership of the problem. . When you use “us”, I assume you are living in Guyana.and you are speaking from the “Guyanese” perspective not of someone living in the good old USA.. Twenty fiveyears ago, I left Guyana in the very state I found it after returning last year. Should aspiring young Guyanese wait around for twenty year for talked about change?.
Kofi, If you do live in the states of outside of Guyana than the following applies to you…Tell me why you left Guyana?
Well, I’m currently a student pursuing studies in the US. But I’ve only been here for less than 3 years. My status here is non-resident alien for the purpose of school. I still maintain a permanent address in Guyana. I graduate from UG and UWI, but I guess the real question is whether I will return and the answer is “yes”, in some fashion or the other. I find it hard to turn a blind eye to home.
We have to make a revolutionary choice. Nothing good in history came without a real struggle. Unless Guyanese are prepared to stand up for themselves and forget about handouts, we will remain in the state that we are. We are afraid of our government, afraid to demand change from our leaders. One man said, people should not be afraid of their govt, govts should be afraid of the people.
The first revolutionary change that has to occur has to be in the minds of the people. We can sit back and complain and do nothing, or stand up and demand change! We must use our vote to indicate to our leaders that we are serious about the direction of the country. Our vote is our voice!
Guyana is in the way it is after 25 years because Guyanese have failed take hold of their country and change it. All we do is complain about what govt does. This is exactly the problem we have. Govt cannot do everything for us and I don’t look to govt for anything other than national security and some public utilities. However, they cannot even fullfil this basic duty as it is right now, so why should we expect anything else from them. We are the change we demand!
Correction: I graduated from UG….Guyanese have failed to take hold…
What do you mean you will return in some fashion or the other? Does that mean for a visit ot to enjoy a lucrative career? The point is that your immediate experience is vastly different from someone living in Guyana right now, hence your analysis will be different. Do remember, not everyone is a freedom fighter. and ow do you propose we demand some change? Please enumerate!
I appreciate the opportunity to be overseas and sometimes you need to step back in order to see things differently; once you are not inciting that different is somehow deficient, then I embrace the difference of opinion. Remember when we played checkers or chess, you always saw good moves when you stepped back from the board? Even an artist has to stand back from his work to observe, before returning to complete it or modify it.
Nonetheless, these are viewpoints I’ve had more than 3 years. I developed them while in Guyana, in the midst of fellow Guyanese. I’ve been saying these things for years to my friends. However, I thought it was more necessary at the time to focus on self-development, which, if it turns out so, places me in a position to give back to my country in the future. “In some fashion or the other” means that I plan to increase my involvement in Guyanese society, whether I’m living in Guyana or not. I would prefer to live and work in Guyana. If however, it is difficult to provide for my family by living in Guyana, I may opt to work overseas for the sake of family, still being involved at home, but always with the intention of returning permanently. May be the diaspora and other fellow Guyanese would consider supporting someone who wants to give back to Guyana from within Guyana.
Still on the point of analysis; most of my immediate family (parents, sibblings, neices, and nephews) and most of my closest friends and colleagues still reside in Guyana. My analysis is also informed by their current experience. In addition, I’ve been home as recently as 6 months ago for 3 weeks.
Anyway, to take the spotlight away from me, I’ll focus on the last part of your comment regarding freedom, freedom fighting, and the demand for change. Not everyone is a freedom fighter, but everyone deserves to be free–free to pursue their dreams, free to pursue happiness; and free to do so within a secure environment. According to the constitution “Every person in Guyana is entitled to the basic right to a happy, creative and productive life, free from hunger, ignorance and want. That right includes the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.”
However, right now the lack of opportunities at home robs us of that freedom in Guyana. We are not free to pursue dreams and happiness, or to be productive. We are bugged down daily with bread and butter issues; struggling to survive–considered among the poorest while we sit on immense wealth. There is much wealth in the land of the poor, but it is destroyed for lack of judgement by our leaders. Some young people will never know anything beyond the boundaries of their own villages; they are born, they grow up, and they die, all in the same constricted geography. No Freedom!
This is how I propose we demand change:
(1) Action through local democracy: The local govt system is a vital aspect of democracy. The constitution demands that it should involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live. First we target local communities. We have to stimulate the political consciousness of people to get involved in the development of their community. A new political ideology that is focused on “development for the people and by the people”; “not by the govt for the people”. We have to take the task of political and ideological education more seriously than ever before.
We know this is achieved when we begin to vote for leaders with real credentials, not just based on ethnicity. Leaders who are really qualified and have a heart for the community. In addition, simple things like keeping the community garbage-free as a citizen initiative (not a govt initiative) will be alive. We want to see more citizens come together and pool their limited resources and together with charitable and private investment, improve their lives. Govt’s role is to support the citizens through legislation, security and assist in forming collaboration with other groups.
(2) Action through national democracy: It becomes easy to affect national democracy if we can inspire change at the local level. Unity at the local level has to be transformed to unity at the national level. There has to be a united citizen movement among the majority of freedom-loving Guyanese. Imagine, the value added tax (vat) system was introduced. Guyanese complained left and right, but when they were asked to protest against it, no one came out. There are many reasons for that, but among the reasons is the lack of a united citizen effort to achieve change. This is probably the hardest part, but we’ve got to see beyond party affiliation, race, and cultural identity. Our struggle has to become about saving Guyana; “God guard you great mother, and make us to be, more worthy of our heritage, LAND OF THE FREE!”
In respect to self development, your cohorts in Guyana are thinking in like. What are your thoughts on a young college grad from UG aspiring for a more financially lucrative life out of Guyana? What would your advise be to that individual who is looking to leave Guyana immediately?
Well, money is absolutely necessary. Go for it! But remember your brother when you get rich. As one singer says, “..who can afford to run will run, but what about those who can’t? they will have to stay..” Not everyone is going to be able to pursue a financially lucrative dream overseas. So, it becomes important for those who get the opportunity to help create similar opportunities for others–technology transfer, financial support, business development and investment, etc.
At the end of the day, each of us has to evaluate our own commitment to developing Guyana. If we don’t, then we pass on the responsibility to the next generation. If we make no progress then we make it harder for them. If we do our part, then we pass on a legacy that they can be proud of and propagate.
Anyway, we need to get back to the issue of our govt ideology and my proposal is for a republican democracy and not a socialist communist state. A republican democracy ideology will change our attitude towards our country’s development. Remove the focus from govt and place the responsibility on the citizens.
Go for it, but remember your brother and sisters when you get rich.
[...] Why Guyana should embrace republican democracy and not socialism It is stated in the constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (Cap 1:01) that: “Guyana is an indivisible, secular, democratic sovereign state in the course of transition from capitalism to socialism and shall be known as the … [...]
Kofi,
It’s not about getting rich. Its about enhancing quality of life. Do you not think that others would like the opportunity you had. Why did you not at the time implore your friends and follow through with your thinking. In the same manner that you seek a better education by leaving Guyana, others whould like to do the same. How do you plan to share your ideology with the rest of the Guyanese people who haven’t heard of it. Can you balme anyone for trying to leave Guyana? Are you going back to Guyana anytime soon start implementing your master plan that will save all?
Why do you think it’s about getting rich? Do you think in absolutes?
Please don’t misunderstand me. Like I mentioned, I studied at UG and UWI before getting an opportunity to come to the US. Anyway, you’re right, it’s not about getting rich, it’s about improving one’s quality of life. However, I’m my ideas are rooted in a deep concern for my fellow Guyanese. I want every Guyanese (now and in the future) to enjoy the same quality of life that we can have in the US. I think it’s my responsibility to assist in that process; to make Guyana a place of opportunities. I wish that others would join in the same frame of mind to move Guyana from poverty to properity. This I believe will only be achieved when each Guyanese commit and pledge to each that they will collectively work towards the betterment of Guyana and not look to the Government to do it for us. I’m talking about personal commitment. We are the leaders we desire, we are the change we desire.
Kofi,
Would you like to join us on one of our upcoming forums to share/discuss your thoughts? It is one of the best ways that you can reach your intended audience.and get feed back form your fellow Guyanese. You will be joined by a few political activists who are versed in Guyanese life. Let me know. You can contact me through the contact section on the site, I will respond to you within 24 hrs.
Andrew
People in Guyana feel betrayed due to the actions that have occurred in the pas in Guyana. Leaders in Guyana are always in question about their intentions and honesty.
I think you’re on to something Kofi.