The present form of governance in the Bahamas has evolved from the Westminster system which took centuries to be refined in Great Britain. There it was designed for an island nation based on a long history of chivalry even before the start of the Crusades in the late 11th century.
Predicated on the kind of honour which was exemplified by the captured soldiers in the war movie, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’, that system spread to colonies all over the globe. As colonies grew in population and gained confidence in their sense of self-determination however, the controlling central authority began bestowing the status of adulthood upon those former childlike colonies.
Unfortunately the ledgers of many of those former colonies failed to internalise into their hearts and minds the deep sense of honour and love of country which undergirded the Westminster system. Service to God and country still seems to elude us. The first successors to the former British rulers seemed to have been imbued with that spirit of honour somewhat; but as leaders are removed from that influence, the overriding approach to governance seems to be for self and my political tribal supporters a the expense of God and country.
It would appear that each group of politicians while in opposition and prior to elections, sees the need for empowering the people. The wisdom of the common man is respectfully paramount. The people are given all sorts of listening ear; and lots of promises, some rather outlandish, are made. After the political objective is achieved, however, a sudden transformation takes place.
Suddenly the humility and patience convert to a sense of divinity, arrogance and almost utter contempt for the governed, the real source of political power. As a result we become bogged down in reactionary and myopic governance that seems more concerned with holding on to power and control rather than promoting responsibility, respect, self-discipline and love of country. The country becomes the spoils for few tribal winners, rather than a father or motherland for all.
For a while rapid strides were made by the former government toward the deepening of democracy and empowerment of all of our people. Many far-reaching social and political changes were made; then our historical past of dependency and patronage began rising to the fare. Now we find ourselves at a stalemate. Should we continue to build on the new foundations of an open, responsible and accountable democracy, or should we turn the clock back, and return to our Egypt of emotional and psychological slavery?
To continue the path to full democracy in a modern society, it will take selfless, courageous, secure, respectful and visionary leadership that is focused on the long-term goal. Does the present leadership have these qualities to respect and live out the principle that all men are created equal, and that good leaders never forget that they are the servants of the people?
The former government has set some fundamental wheels of democracy in motion, which have opened up the society. It would appear, however, that quite a number of our present leaders are finding it somewhat difficult to function in that environment. The wheels which became somewhat sluggish during the latter part of the previous administration seemed to have been set in reverse, which has caused a great deal of social, political and spiritual uneasiness among the people.
The present government while in opposition, led the populace to believe that democracy would be further deepened under its administration. Local government would be refined and brought to New Providence. Campaign finance would be effected, along with many other constitutional; and other governmental changes would be made to liberate and empower the masses. More than ten months later, there seems to be a great deal of dissatisfaction with the slow movement towards these goals. In many instances it is felt that we are regressing from rather than progressing toward all those seductive promises of pre-election.
To break the stalemate in which we now find ourselves, the country needs to seat representatives of all political, religious and ethnic persuasions in respectful dialogue around a common table, in an effort to hammer out more just political, judicial, and educational systems that would guarantee the rights of every citizen to participate freely and responsibly in our democracy, beyond simply voting every two or five years. Committees to make recommendations are fine; but we need some positive action to satisfy the restiveness that now pervades the society.
Viewpoints, The Bahama Journal
