Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 18, 2014 Letters
DEAR EDITOR,
I look at the conflict between the government and the opposition in Guyana with much interest, and see it as the result of a adversarial Westminster system. I would like to promote direct democracy instead of Representative Democracy under a Westminster model which Guyana presently has.
In Guyana, voter turnout in parliamentary elections has generally decline from a high of 96.98% in 1964 to a low of 68.82% in 2006. This suggests that the populace is getting disillusioned with the political process.
Having a constitutional mechanism where the people decide and can challenge any law if enough support is garnered will help to defend democracy in Guyana. The political leadership should execute the will of the people, but under the Westminster model, politicians often carry out their own will or the will of their financial backers.
If the political leadership of Guyana was carrying out the will of the people, the poverty rate would not be so high – about 43% of the population fall below the poverty line. The evidence of widespread poverty suggests that the government of Guyana has not generally served the best interest of the people, because living in poverty means fighting for survival.
Direct democracy will let the people decide what is in their best interest; not just a few people with special interest and who are beholden to financial supporters. If the trend in Guyana continues, the Westminster system will eventually become unworkable in Guyana because of the historical conflict of the past and present political tension which will eventually escalate.
Direct democracy is a way to break the deadlock and let the people decide. Switzerland is a country that has such a system. Such a system can be modified to suit Guyana. The Westminster System has not been able to deliver a prosperous life for the majority of Guyanese. It is time that Guyana part with it and move towards a direct democracy or be hindered by a system that is designed to divide-and-rule the people. The choice is clear, either Guyana changes its system of governance or goes around in circles like a dog chasing its tail.
Brian Plummer
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