Inclusive Politicsby H.Z. Ally
Guyana is a democratic and sovereign state. Its democratic character is evident among other ways in the free expression of ideas and the freedom of the people to participate in local and national elections. Prior to 1992, the country was a virtual dictatorship with the PNC dominating economic and political space by way of rigged elections and military suppression. This aberration in the democratic process and the suppression of basic human rights was what was mainly responsible for the impoverishment of the people to a point where the country was ranked among the poorest in the world. Minority rule in Guyana lasted for nearly three decades until October 1992 when the PNC was forced to succumb to the democratic wishes of the people under intense pressure from local and international opinion. Today there are some who cannot come to terms with democracy. Democracy, although a universal concept embraced by all freedom-loving peoples throughout the world, is seen as an "aberration," a "retrogressive," step insofar as it stands in their way of realizing their political ambitions. The PNC, for example, saw nothing wrong when it seized power in successive "general elections" from 1968 to 1985, even against the wishes of the vast majority of the Guyanese people. Today, it is trying to redefine democracy to incorporate minority representation on statutory Boards and Commissions, something which it never practised during its twenty-eight years of minority rule. The PPP as the major party has repeatedly stated that it has no intention to dominate political space although it is confident of winning elections at any time. The inclusion of a Civic component drawn from a wide cross-section of the various interest groups is clear testimony of its commitment to the process of inclusive politics. The fact that the government has agreed to Constitutional Reforms, even in the face of obstructionist tactics by the PNC is clear testimony of the sincerity of the PPP/Civic to further deepen the democratic process. The people of Guyana has for twenty-eight years endured the ‘tyranny’ of minority rule. This has suffocated the nation to unbelievable levels, resulting in hundreds of thousands fleeing the shores of Guyana. It is estimated that roughly half of Guyana’s population are now residing overseas, mainly in North America and in neighbouring countries of Suriname and Venezuela. This is what the PNC has done to Guyana -- stripping the nation of its people, the majority of whom were young people in the prime of their productive lives. Not satisfied with the damage inflicted, it is now trying to recapture power by "other means," such as street protests and demonstrations in Georgetown where its support base is mainly concentrated. The most recent `protest’ action could have degenerated to a national tragedy had the fire which was set to the Strand Cinema not been brought under control in time. Despite PNC machinations, the people of Guyana are determined to live in an atmosphere of peace and cordiality. This is the reason why the so-called ‘protest’ actions are only confined to Georgetown where the PNC has access to a pool of ‘protesters’ comprised in the main of women and children, the majority of whom may not even be conscious of the issues, nor the consequences of the action they are called upon to take. The actions taken by the PNC, apart from the damage done in terms of investor confidence and revenue collection have implications for the country’s sovereignty. Our domestic political situation has now become a regional issue which in the first place should have been a non-issue had the wishes of the Guyanese people been respected. True, the present system of majoritarian rule may not be ideal for multi-ethnic societies such as Guyana, where voting behaviour is influenced to a significant degree by considerations of race and ethnicity. But it remains substantially better than minority dictatorial rule to which the country was condemned for twenty-eight years. The present work on Constitutional Reform can provide a new framework for political representation and articulation. It is the duty of all Guyanese to make their voices heard. 
|