THE EDITOR, Sir:
THERE IS a recent 'official' approach to 'politics,' that emphasises technical innovation and improvement through better governance, public-sector management, institution-building, capacity enhancement and, in some instances, democratisation and the improvement of human rights and environmental conditions.
Who could be against that? Who could be against the aim of spreading the values of civil liberties, rule of law and good governance, and fostering the growth of a vibrant and secure civil society?
But, as with so many aspects of politics, between the conception and the execution falls the shadow of reality - a reality that although the calendars of Jamaica leadership hopefuls announce the beginning of a new era, the confirmed 'fact' is that the rhetoric of a thousand proposals and promises cannot significantly alter the ebb and flow of politics in the Jamaican society, because such effort does not seriously impact upon the social and economic structures and forces shaping the tides of politics and, in turn, shaping the character of the state.
Then again, the evidence suggests that the dominant realities in the lives of Jamaicans are still harshly familiar and reminiscent of old ways.
It is within this context that what is now called for is not merely a leader, but a new captain for a new Jamaica, as the Jamaica of today is a very different one from the Jamaica of yesteryear.
Not only are the needs and situations different, but also they are differently seen. The Jamaica today demands equality of status and opportunity, classlessness and other socialist goals. Furthermore, the new Jamaica in recent times has now come to champion 'community participation', distinct from political participation, whereby citizens/communities search for new, more direct ways to influence government policy formation thereby holding government accountable.
But in addition, there arise questions of how to provide productive opportunities for the growing labour force (the educated unemployed), changing attitudes, institutions and strategies to make this possible.
It would be assumed, then, that the new captain must recognise the importance of engaging a broader range of stakeholders more directly within the policy-making process.
Furthermore, the new Jamaica demands that the new captain must maintain party loyalty, cabinet unity, and electoral support all at the same time.
In fact, of one thing at least we can be certain when all else is uncertain - that Jamaica's future, according to one party affiliate youth group, lies in a leader who has an awe-inspiring record of managerial competence, dedi-cation to constitutional reform, commitment to effecting principles of good governance, savoir faire and an effective and believable vision.
Notwithstanding, it remains true that there is much dualism in Jamaica; year-by-year the society becomes more sharply divided into two.
Against such a background, it is just possible that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.
I am, etc.,
D. K. NELSON
butvenus@yahoo.com
