Dear Editor,
Over the past two weeks, there has been much discussion around whether coalition governments are a solution to fostering and ensuring good governance, as well as whether this approach to governance can be successful in the Guyana context. My view is that it can work.
On 21 December, 2018, a Government Member of Parliament voted in the National Assembly, in favour of the No-Confidence Motion that was tabled by the Opposition, resulting in the Government falling.
It is my view that it is premature to conclude that coalition governments cannot work in Guyana when we have not really applied the principles. Albert Einstein said that, ‘science is a refinement of everyday thinking’. Hence, let’s try to review the everyday thinking of the coalition government over the past three years, by refining it with a few aspects of science.
While many are focusing on the impact of what happened in the National Assembly on that day, I would like to focus on Charrandass Persaud’s stated reasons for voting the way he did – against the Government of which he was a part. This analysis I believe, is important if coalition governments in Guyana will function more smoothly and be more successful.
A big mistake of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government, was to largely ignore that partnerships are voluntary. Every Member of Parliament voluntarily decided that they will participate in the Coalition Government. It means, therefore, that they can voluntarily leave whenever they feel that the Coalition Government, or coalition idea, is not working for them or in the best interest of their group, core values, etc. So even though there are benefits and burdens (penalties and consequences) attached to how the Members of Parliament behave and the decisions they make, it does not remove the fact that their participation is voluntary.
Another key aspect if coalition governments will work in Guyana, is leadership. How do you lead a coalition or an alliance? Is there need for leadership in a coalition or alliance? Of course! Absolutely! It is a little like being a parent with children from all ethnic groups. There will be much diversity in that home. The core principle for parenting in this context will be based on a commonality, which will be the ‘humanity’ that is common to all ethnic groups. Similarly, in the coalition government context, it would be principles. The leader or leaders of a coalition government, have to have personal integrity but equally important is professional integrity. I call it ‘sticking to the principles’. Principles are universal.
The APNU and AFC became a majority Opposition in 2011 and won the Elections in 2015 because of one key factor that brought various political parties and individuals together: high moral capital. This was an asset. As a matter of fact, it was the asset to preserve.
Another point which came up from Charrandass Persaud’s reasons, is the need for a functional and professional mechanism and process within the coalition government for redress. Persaud indicated that he made complaints about certain matters which were not addressed to his satisfaction.
There are other reasons for the coalition government over the past three years not working as well as it could have. I am hesitant to conclude that it has failed because there were instances when it worked. These reasons are that: partnerships are built on three principles: equity (this does not mean equality, it means that each coalition party needs to have an equal right to the table); transparency (greater internal cohesion, ownership, greater trust, openness, etc.) and mutual benefit (all parties in the coalition government has to benefit and gain something).
From a practical standpoint, the one party government approach after 53 + years, has not served in the best interest of Guyana and the people of Guyana. I still support the concept of coalition governments, or some prefer to call it, shared governance. My concern, however, is whether what happened on 21 December, 2018 in the National Assembly, is the trigger that the country needed for 53 + years, to lead to a profound change in behaviour at levels of governance, political leadership and the citizenry; how we do politics, how we lead and govern, how we make decisions, the range of considerations required before making decisions, the need to foster a more inclusive and cohesive society, the absolute need to develop a more professional, sciences-based and evidenced-based society. I guess time will tell.
Another concern is whether the key members in the coalition government (current and future), have the humility to accept that building, managing and sustaining partnerships (coalitions, alliances, etc.) is a science, just like economics, medicine, law, etc.; and failure to accept and apply the principles could result in some partners concluding that they do not have a stake in government, and using the power in their possession, to end the coalition. This is a lot of power to be treated casually.
Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas
Accredited Partnership Practitioner
