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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><SPAN class=TopStory>Is Jamaica ready for a benevolent dictator?</SPAN>
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=80 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Lloyd B. Smith</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after his recent re-election sought and got the country's elected representatives to give him sweeping powers which in essence have made him a dictator, albeit a benevolent one (?) as perceived by his many followers. Is it possible that such a privilege could be granted to either Portia Simpson Miller or Bruce Golding, whoever the next prime minister of Jamaica happens to be, notwithstanding the strictures of our Westminster model of parliamentary democracy?<P class=StoryText align=justify>In speaking with many concerned citizens, it is often suggested that what Jamaica needs if it is to be put on the right path towards peace, progress and prosperity is a strong dose of dictatorship for a specific period of time. Indeed, ever so often when the Singaporean model is used to bring to the fore this country's many shortcomings economically and otherwise, proponents of that island state's success story tend to overlook the fact that were it not for Lee Kuan Yew's dictatorial powers, much of what has been achieved since gaining independence in 1965 would never have occurred.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to the quality-of-life index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and is ranked 11th in the world. It was once a fishing village, having few natural resources, yet it has foreign reserves of some US$119 billion! Primary education is compulsory hence, there is a literacy rate of 95 per cent.
Seventy-six per cent of its resident population, aged 24 to 64, are employed and the country is a popular travel destination, making tourism one of its largest industries. In 2005, 8.9 million tourists visited Singapore and 9.7 million in 2006, and Jamaica is just barely peaking at three million visitors per year and making a lot of noise about it.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Interestingly, Singapore is a republic with a Westminster system of a unicameral parliamentary government representing different constituencies. Notwithstanding this, Singapore has been seen as a country with a "hybrid" system with democratic and authoritarian elements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In terms of the law, some offences can lead to heavy fines or caning (corporal punishment) and there are laws which allow capital punishment for first-degree murder and drug trafficking.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In real terms, the present form of governance in Jamaica is not working. For decades, it has been all about "scarce benefits and spoils" while "Jah kingdom goes to waste".
Edward Seaga had such an opportunity in 1983 when he was faced with a one-party Parliament, but instead of going the dictatorial route (save and except within his own party), he opted for an accommodating system which saw independent senators being appointed, but it is safe to say that he could not have been accused of an abuse of power during the period leading up to the 1989 general elections. What if he had adopted a Lee Kuan Yew approach, would Jamaica have been a better place today?<P class=StoryText align=justify>Given the popularity of a Portia Simpson Miller, could she try a "Chavez" thing and get away with it? And given the terrible state that the country is in, should the Jamaica Labour Party score a resounding victory at the polls, should Bruce Golding seek such powers for his two terms in order to
<SPAN class=Subheadline></SPAN></TD></TR><TR><TD>Lloyd B. Smith
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=80 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR><TD><SPAN class=Description>Lloyd B. Smith</SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P class=StoryText align=justify>Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after his recent re-election sought and got the country's elected representatives to give him sweeping powers which in essence have made him a dictator, albeit a benevolent one (?) as perceived by his many followers. Is it possible that such a privilege could be granted to either Portia Simpson Miller or Bruce Golding, whoever the next prime minister of Jamaica happens to be, notwithstanding the strictures of our Westminster model of parliamentary democracy?<P class=StoryText align=justify>In speaking with many concerned citizens, it is often suggested that what Jamaica needs if it is to be put on the right path towards peace, progress and prosperity is a strong dose of dictatorship for a specific period of time. Indeed, ever so often when the Singaporean model is used to bring to the fore this country's many shortcomings economically and otherwise, proponents of that island state's success story tend to overlook the fact that were it not for Lee Kuan Yew's dictatorial powers, much of what has been achieved since gaining independence in 1965 would never have occurred.<P class=StoryText align=justify>According to the quality-of-life index by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia, and is ranked 11th in the world. It was once a fishing village, having few natural resources, yet it has foreign reserves of some US$119 billion! Primary education is compulsory hence, there is a literacy rate of 95 per cent. Seventy-six per cent of its resident population, aged 24 to 64, are employed and the country is a popular travel destination, making tourism one of its largest industries. In 2005, 8.9 million tourists visited Singapore and 9.7 million in 2006, and Jamaica is just barely peaking at three million visitors per year and making a lot of noise about it.<P class=StoryText align=justify>Interestingly, Singapore is a republic with a Westminster system of a unicameral parliamentary government representing different constituencies. Notwithstanding this, Singapore has been seen as a country with a "hybrid" system with democratic and authoritarian elements.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In terms of the law, some offences can lead to heavy fines or caning (corporal punishment) and there are laws which allow capital punishment for first-degree murder and drug trafficking.<P class=StoryText align=justify>In real terms, the present form of governance in Jamaica is not working. For decades, it has been all about "scarce benefits and spoils" while "Jah kingdom goes to waste".
Edward Seaga had such an opportunity in 1983 when he was faced with a one-party Parliament, but instead of going the dictatorial route (save and except within his own party), he opted for an accommodating system which saw independent senators being appointed, but it is safe to say that he could not have been accused of an abuse of power during the period leading up to the 1989 general elections. What if he had adopted a Lee Kuan Yew approach, would Jamaica have been a better place today?<P class=StoryText align=justify>Given the popularity of a Portia Simpson Miller, could she try a "Chavez" thing and get away with it? And given the terrible state that the country is in, should the Jamaica Labour Party score a resounding victory at the polls, should Bruce Golding seek such powers for his two terms in order to
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