Curtis Ward | Crossing the Rubicon into autocracy

We may not be there yet but well on the way. Autocracy and corruption feed on each other.

Jamaica embarked on its independence journey as a nation embracing democracy and eschewing authoritarianism. Jamaica’s first prime minister and National Hero, Sir Alexander Bustamante, famously said, “We are with the West!” Our nascent democracy was embraced by leaders of both major political parties, with the Opposition led by National Hero Norman Manley.

Sir Alexander’s clear distinction was between political and economic systems of the east and of the west – the former represented authoritarianism and the other, democracy. The contest was between power and control over the people versus power by the people with free and fair elections to select their representatives. The democratic system of government contemplated transparency in government and accountability for those who betrayed the people’s trust. A system of government that would not and could not be controlled by a few corrupt officials.

People believed that Jamaica’s practice of democracy was equal to none. This was based on the citizens’ trust that the country was led by democratically elected leaders accountable to the people, committed to democracy, and the peaceful transfer of power.

We learnt from analysis and experience that our Constitution does not guarantee democracy. The government’s misadventure into long-overdue “constitutional reform” has shown us that any political party with a super majority in the House of Representatives was more about consolidation of power in the prime minister than empowering the people. That is undemocratic. Failing to deliver on the people’s expectations, the flawed constitutional reform process is now correctly aborted. Most Jamaicans at home and abroad want a strengthened democracy that gives more power and control to the people, not to the politicians.

We embraced the basic freedoms that flow from the rule of law and democracy – freedom of speech, of the press, religion, and association, and the right to assembly in peaceful protest of government actions. These freedoms are to be exercised at will without fear of retribution or hindrance by the Government.

FIEFDOM

Although Bustamante embraced democracy, there are myriad anecdotes that suggest that he ruled his party as a fiefdom – unquestioned fealty. Even though some of the stories are humorous, he coerced his ministers and other senior politicians within his party to be his sycophants. Arguably, Bustamante may have been autocratic in many of his actions.

The same may be said of any political leader who stifles any of the basic freedoms of the citizens. Prime Minister Hugh Shearer banned books and denied entry to a UWI lecturer because he expressed views contrary to his. Despite those suppressions of fundamental rights, Shearer possessed redeeming qualities, which established him as one of Jamaica’s best leaders.

Prime Minister Edward Seaga may have been the most autocratic of all prime ministers prior to where we are today. Seaga was often described as a “one-man don”. He ordered senior political members of his party to do his bidding and was intolerant of any form of dissent. He expelled dissenters and did not tolerate any challenge to his rule. His infamous edict to five expelled dissenters to “sing a Sankey” to crawl back into the party. They abided by Seaga’s conditions. He demanded sycophancy from ministers and top political operatives in his party. He was known to employ violence against political opponents and dissenters and was reputed to have had a shadow militia, a posse, serving and enforcing at his beck and call. Those are actions of an autocrat.

The perception, if not reality, is that the current prime minister is the most autocratic. No prior political regime has been plagued with corruption as this one has. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness coerced senators he appointed to sign letters of resignation in advance of any disagreement he might have with them. He would not tolerate dissent. This was not only undemocratic. It was deemed illegal by the court. An attempt to appoint a chief justice to a probationary period contrary to constitutional history failed in the face of citizens’ outcry. Ministers and senior party members who have either been charged with or accused of corruption, or with some other egregious and immoral behaviour, are retained or returned to good status within the party.

CORRUPTION

Corruption in government seems to be the current norm. The prime minister himself failed to justify his personal income in mandatory reports to the Integrity Commission. He resorted to the court to block further examination of his financial situation. Having been rejected by the court, Holness appointed as head of the Financial Investigation Division a director who, in prior statements, exonerated him of any wrongdoing, and he rejected the right of the FID to investigate further the prime minister’s finances. Clearly a blatant conflict of interest and is corrupt. This appointment sent the strongest message yet that he is above the law and not accountable to the people of Jamaica – clearly autocratic behaviour.

Jamaica occupies an unenviable position on the international scale of corrupt countries, sharing space with autocratic regimes. Regimes that are not accountable to the citizens and leaders who enjoy immunity from prosecution and punishment. Autocracy and corruption are inseparable.

The justice system snail-walks corruption cases, contributing to the perception that politicians will not be held accountable, particularly those of the governing party if they can hold on to power. A corrupt government will resort to undemocratic processes. Although rumours and scandals have been present in all administrations since independence, the current administration is arguably the one most plagued by corruption-related practices in the 60+plus years of the nation’s history.

If there remains any doubt about creeping autocracy in the governance of Jamaica, that the democratic system is under threat, the prime minister unleashed his supporters in a brazen, autocratic manner to stifle peaceful dissent by the people to the latest corrupt act. Without the heavy presence of the police at National Heroes Circle, those participating in peaceful protest, exercising their fundamental rights, may have been met with violence. Stifling peaceful protests is undemocratic and a common strategy deployed by autocratic regimes.

Some may argue no violence, no harm. Be aware! Autocracy does not announce its arrival. Autocracy creeps upon the citizens like a thief in the night when they ignore the warnings. The rubicon has been breached.

Curtis Ward is former ambassador of Jamaica to the United Nations, with special responsibility for Security Council affairs. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.