Part one of the article was published in on Friday, 17th January 2014. Unfortunately, a very heavy schedule prevented me from completing part two in time for the following week.
In part one my thesis is that the current toxic and very negative and static political culture we are experiencing in Anguilla (and also existing elsewhere), is due largely to the faulty and wrong political paradigm (pronounce para-dime) governing our practice of politics. As long as our politicians and their supporters are governed by this dichotomous and divisive paradigm they will be negative, acrimonious, crude, confrontational, bellicose, hateful, spiteful, rancorous, unkind, and the like – and they will always be thinking ‘win/lose” rather than “win/win”. Unfortunately, many persons are not even aware of this fact and the destructive nature of the “win/lose” attitude. Change will therefore be impossible unless a new awareness dawns upon them and they begin to see the value of operating out of a different paradigm. I suggest the “critically supportive” paradigm which is necessary for cultivating the attitude of “win/win”.
The “win/win” attitude and approach will enable a person to hold a different opinion without being disrespectful and disagreeable, to be co-operative without sacrificing core values, to be able to compromise in the interest of nobler achievements and to be affirming when it is the right thing to do. “Win/win” enables freedom to differ and to be committed at the same time. This needed paradigm shift will enable you to see politics as the “good thing” it is meant to be, i.e: to enhance national unity, progress, prosperity and wellbeing. Politicians, parties and supporters will then see themselves as agents and enablers of these lofty ideals, and therefore will become energizers and servant-leaders whose primary aim is the efficient and effective execution of the “business of the country”. The result will be enhanced personal and social progress and welbeing for all, not just the few.
The faulty and wrong paradigm controlling our practice of politics moves us in the opposite direction. Politics is seen as a dirty thing, attractive only to the power-hungry, the corrupt, greedy, crooked, conniving and want-to-get rich person, where lying, half-truths, empty promises, mudslinging, character assassination, etc., are commonplace. It is very, very regrettable that this negative and unflattering image prevails today, but as long as we hold on to the wrong paradigm, and our politicians continue to behave as they do because of this paradigm, this image will prevail and we all will become losers sooner or later.
Fortunately, some of us do not agree with this negative image. We know better. We therefore appeal to every practicing politician in Anguilla and beyond, and to their supports, to embrace a different attitude which will move you to always think and act “win/win”. As servants of the state, in Government or in Opposition, we urge you to be critically supportive of each other for the good of all. And to you politicians, be statesmen and stateswomen and not simply politicians (with a small “p”). Georges Pompidou, a French President, is reputed to say: “A statesman is a politician who places himself at the service of the nation. A politician is a statesman who places the nation at his service.” Here in Anguilla we definitely need “statesmen”, not just “politicians” governing our affairs.
I say again what I said earlier: “Politics is a good thing and paradigms can be changed.” I therefore call upon our politicians, administrators and the public at large to make the paradigm shift that is needed and raise the bar. See politics as a good institution developed to unite, energize and enhance the life of the whole population, and see yourselves and your party as agents of this unity and progress, whatever your party affiliation. With a change of paradigm will come a whole new way of seeing and doing the business of the city. Issues which are now seen as matters for contention, disagreement and disunity will be seen simply as differences of opinion which, when discussed in a civilized and synergized manner, will contribute to our progress. Crudeness, rudeness and disrespect will disappear from the House and the podium. If you cannot change the debilitating paradigm you are now working from, then please do the noble thing – bow out gracefully.
With the change in our political paradigm will also come a new understanding of the role of the Opposition. The fundamental role of the opposition is not to criticize and to oppose and try to obstruct everything the government does, but rather to ensure that the government functions at the optimum level for the benefit of everyone. Fulfilling this role will of necessity require deep understanding and critical analysis. However, the emphasis will not be on the negative but rather on the positive – i.e., how the business of the people can be better performed for the enrichment of all the people. For example, instead of spending months and months blaming the government for its failure to improve the health sector, or education, or the employment situation, that energy will be used to say how these sectors can be improved. When you really think of it, much more is achieved when we are constructive and positive rather than when we are destructive and negative. A small island state like Anguilla will certainly do much better if there is the kind of shift in our paradigm that I am advocating. The good news is we can change. The challenge is: “We have to change.”
Look at another way a paradigm change can be helpful, especially in small states like Anguilla. The administration of a state is demanding and complex, requiring many human and material resources. Small states like ours do not usually have an oversupply of these resources and the experience needed to ensure the optimum efficiency and desired progress, and so it happens quite often that we appoint persons just because they are supporters to perform functions for which they are not adequately prepared. Fortunately, some persons learn very quickly and are able to function effectively in a short time. However, some appointees take a much longer time to settle in and some never do. Meanwhile, they make blunders and mistakes which may or may not have serious implications in the short or long term, and the damage may be very costly and irreversible. Operating from a different paradigm will mean that at all times the effort will be made to ensure that the persons most suitable to perform optimally and most effectively will be appointed even if not your supporter. What a difference this will make!! This calls for political maturity. We must begin to mature as well as shift our paradigm.
Let us look at one other shortcoming created by present political paradigm. This is seen particularly in the area of succession. Our political system makes it possible that today a person can be a mediocre businessman, construction worker, lawyer, medical doctor, entrepreneur, or skill less, with no formal political education or experience, and within 48 hours, that person can be sitting in the office of the Chief Minister, or one of the ministries, expected to be functioning as though he or she were there for months or even years and with adequate preparation. Where is the predecessor? Nowhere around. What orientation has been given that would ensure the maximum of continuity and minimum of disruption? As a matter of fact, it often happens that the outgoing officer does what he or she can to ensure that the new person receives the least possible assistance. The “win/lose” or “lose/lose” attitude often results in making the outgoing person set up the incoming person to fail, and this is pathetic.
In addition, those public servants who may have worked closely with the last Minister often experience anxiety, and sometimes show resentment at having to make the dramatic shift in so short a time. The loss in terms of emotional stress and decreased output, or even resentment, can be very great and warrants a second look at how our political paradigm impacts the issues of succession, efficiency and effectiveness when there is a change of Government. A paradigm of co-operation rather than one of competition –and an attitude of “win/win” rather than one of “win/lose” – will mean that our practice of politics in Anguilla will be radically different, and far more effective and productive.
Can we have the wisdom and the courage to do what is more helpful and effective and so ensure greater progress for all?
If politicians cannot change their paradigm, and work on the basis of principles, the people must change the politicians so that we can have progress.
