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International
Perspective By; The economies of many countries around the globe have been struggling with forming economic and political alliances designed to make them more competitive and more efficient. Initiatives involving the World Trade Organization, NAFTA, FTAA, European Common Market, The Caribbean Single Market Economy and several South American Initiatives are all in play attempting to accomplish basically the same agenda. They want an effective union designed to make their alliance and countries more competitive and efficient. In one way these unions are designed to do what was done some time ago in the United States, an effective political and economic union of individual States with minimal strife and highly efficient function. The problem most of these projects face is arriving at an effective agreement between the participant States that would solve the problem of their differing sovereign structure and desires. The United States solution to this problem was the formulation of a one of a kind constitution developed at a time and under circumstances which allowed such a document to be established. Although most constitutions around the world all speak of providing certain indelible rights to their people, the difference between the U.S. constitution and most others is its provisions governing the structure of Government. In particular, the relationships between the branches of Government, and the Federal and State governments. This remarkable insight by the framers of the U.S. constitution produced a union which brought the U.S. from a totally undeveloped geographical region to become the world's most influential political and economic power in the just over 200 short years. An important lesson may be learned from the U.S. experience, for those who care to look. In particular, the new Caribbean effort to create a Caribbean Single Market Economy is facing some daunting problems. With global conditions more than ever controlling the economies of all countries and particularly small Caribbean nations, major efforts appear to be needed to ensure that such countries can effectively compete in the new global marketplace. One problem may be the system and structure of government. Many English speaking Caribbean countries still operate with a "Westminister" system of Government derived from their British colonial past, utilizing constitutions foisted upon them when they were granted independence from Great Britain. This form of government and constitution might work well if and when there is government leadership which is not dictatorial in nature, and when mechanisms are in place to allow the best talent to rise to the top. The vast amount of powers vested in the chief executive office in such systems without effective "separation of powers" and other "checks and balances" unfortunately precludes this. Power is addictive and such systems are endemically and intrinsically susceptible to fraud and corruption, usually resulting in incompetent if not dictatorship type governance. Perhaps as great a problem as the potential for corruption, is the dampening effect such systems have on the promotion and use of top talent in these countries. Without "Independent Political Access" and "Public Legislative Access" talented citizens often refuse or are precluded from effective participation in the nation building process. "Independent Political Access" allows interested participants to rise to political power independent of strong-arm party politics. It allows talented individuals to gain and maintain political power and influence on the basis of their individual talent rather than through the whims of strong-arm party allegiance and politics. "Public Legislative Access" on the other hand allows interested parties to effectively participate in the legislative process, ensuring that there is significant public interest group participation in the passage of important legislation. These problems add to the already prodigious problem of "Brain Drain" from such countries to more developed systems which afford greater vertical accession to success. This "Brain Drain" leaves such countries with an extremely thin talent pool and paradoxically adds that otherwise available talent to their international competitors already rich pool. Effective competition in the global economy is difficult under such a scenario. Calls for adoption of a "Republic" form of government in these countries have been one attempt to resolve the problem. Exactly what this means is not readily discernible since some definitions of Republican government encompass the current Westminister based systems. The solution appears to be simply a restructuring of government based on practical examples which exist and can be applied to the particular situation. A study of the Federalist papers developed from American struggles to fashion the union and constitution of the United States can be very instructive. Unfortunately leaders in these countries have been traditionally British trained and indoctrinated and often fail to learn and benefit from the example of the American experience right in their backyard. What is needed is "Strings-Free Government"; Strings-Free, in order to change the present system where an all powerful prime minister practically and legally controls and manipulates all the "Strings of Government". In the Caribbean there are now major forces and political movements geared to change the system. Most notably, in several of the most important English speaking West Indian countries there are vibrant movements to bring about these fundamental changes. Under Bruce Golding in Jamaica, and Dr. Bernard Nottage in the Bahamas both long time former Government Ministers, there is now significant leadership working diligently toward this objective. Their goal is to implement true democratic reform of government systems to allow fuller control and participation by the people over the functions of their government. Others in the Caribbean, most notably Dominica, Trinidad and Guyana have already began the process, although their attempts thus far have utilized only a partial solution, leaving many of the strings of manipulation still in place. An example of some of the problems of these hybrid systems where all of the necessary changes have not been fully implemented can be gleaned from the recent debacle in the recent Trinidadian governmental crisis. The Golding and Nottage proposals provide a more sophisticated well thought out approach to a Strings-Free system. Several years ago Bruce Golding in Jamaica left the Jamaican Labor Party and put his political life on the line to bring about a change in the Jamaican system of government. He developed a program with a nucleus of true separation of powers to bring the Jamaican economy into the new millennium, improving the talent base, participation, and production in government. Golding recently rejoined the Jamaican Labor Party under an agreement that the JLP will work for such changes. Many in Jamaica believe that he will succeed Edward Seaga as leader of the JLP and that his recent return to the JLP resulted in the major gains they made in the recent general elections. It appears that in Jamaica the need for a Strings-Free system of government has become a major political issue and is being recognized by some as the next new generational issue in the history of the nation. Dr. B.J. Nottage in his quest for democratic reform in the Bahamas is still at a relatively early stage compared to the Jamaican movement. Many Bahamians are still not fully aware of the importance of the changes he espouses. With time, as the Bahamian electorate becomes more familiar with and accepting of the need for such changes, this young movement will probably gain the type of recognition and acceptance that the Jamaican movement is currently experiencing. The Trinidad experience is one of a system in transition, where only a partial movement to a Strings-Free Government has resulted in problems. Golding and Nottage share amazing parallels in their political experiences. The loss of their well recognized expertise as legislators to the nation building process in their respective countries is perhaps the most ironic. The problems with the system seems apparent when proven, experienced and hard working talent like these two veteran and visionary politicians can easily be removed from parliament by unknown candidates riding the coattails of strong armed major party politics. It seems to demonstrate the difficulty talented individuals have gaining and maintaining independent political influence in such systems. In a world where competition is king the ability to attract and maintain proven talent to the political and economic arena is paramount for small countries. The problems inherent in these systems are not easily perceived from inside and may not be evident to citizens born and bred in the system. Looking in from the outside, these systems appear quite strange however, particularly to someone looking in from the U.S. perspective. Outsiders easily see the following oddities in the system: 1. The chief executive (Prime Minister) is not elected by the population at large, but by his partners or buddies in the controlling political party, the party with the most members elected to parliament. 2. As a practical matter, if a voter wants a particular candidate for prime minister she must vote for whoever represents that candidate's party in her district, despite the quality of this representative. 3. The executive cabinet members are usually members of the legislature drawn from the governing party parliamentarians. Therefore the cabinet is almost always the same group of parliamentarians who vote to pass any legislation they propose as members of the executive branch. 4. There is no true "Separation of Powers" between the legislature and the executive branches of Government. Also, because the executive is all powerful, the Judicial branch of government likewise appears subjugated to the Executive in a practical sense. 5. There are also few other "Checks and Balances" in the system. For example the "Power of the Purse" also resides in the Chief Executive, who for obvious reasons usually appoints himself and operates the office of the Minister of Finance. Therefore the Chief Executive can pass and fund any legislation he/she wants with impunity. 6. Legislators in the system practically do not, cannot, and are not expected to legislate independently. Practically, opposition members of parliament and "back bencher" members of the government party cannot effectively introduce, nor are they expected to introduce legislation. 7. Legislation introduced by the Prime minister and his cabinet always passes. There is usually a perfunctory debate over the legislation but eventually what the executive wants it always gets. 8. There is no set date for elections. Elections are called by the Prime Minister at anytime he/she chooses within a five year term. 9. There are no term limits for the chief executive or any other major political office. 10. The system is particularly vulnerable to domination by "Strong Armed Party Politics" where allegiance to one of the major parties is almost a necessity to gain and maintain any true political influence. The system lacks true "Independent Political Access" where interested and talented citizens can readily gain access to the highest positions of political and governmental service without being manipulated by the overwhelmingly powerful strings of party politics. 11. Because any legislation proposed by the Executive always passes, there is usually no need to consult and provide "Public Access to Legislation". Therefore, true public participation in the legislative process in terms of legislative hearings where the public, experts, and interest groups can question, participate and officially present their views is virtually non-existent. The power of interest group politics is greatly diminished. 12. The Prime Minister is all powerful, essentially making all the important appointments to government positions, and controlling legislation and government resources. Ironically many Caribbean leaders and experts have publicly recognized this problem with the system but have done little to resolve it due traditions of patronage and victimization within the system. 13. Although there may be constitutionally a bicameral legislature, it is without true bicameral protections and is effectively a unicameral system of government with only one house of government in total control. The Senate is always by constitution and practice controlled by the Prime Minister's appointed senators, rubber stamping any legislation passed to it from the elected parliament. 14. Obviously no sitting government is eager to introduce any effective governmental reform to correct these problems, as it would mean significantly reducing their power and control. Therefore, due to the overwhelming power of the executive it is difficult to engage legal and constitutional amendments that would limit executive power. This is an intrinsic impediment to needed constitutional changes, and so the system continues along with no real commitment or practical way to effectively change it. "Strings-Free Government" in these developing countries seems an absolute necessity. Among other things, Strings-Free Government will allow "Public legislative Access", "Independent Political Access", increased "Checks and Balances", and true "Separation of Powers". Without this, the true incorruptible talent needed to move these countries forward in the new global marketplace will be difficult to engage. This is why governments in such systems are often criticized for being a group of "yes-men" following in step and utterly beholden to the Prime Minister and his/her whims. To the reformers in these countries the potential for problems is obvious, and their hope for change reigns supreme.
For further information on Caribbean Government & Economic issues visit www.hannaian.com or write caribissues@hannaian.com |
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