In Guyana, the crippling fear of retribution — a major detractor from democracy — thrives. This fear permeates every layer of society, holding Guyanese citizens hostage to the whims and agendas of those in power. It is a fear so deeply ingrained that it has become a generational problem, impacting every region, town, and neighbourhood across the nation. For decades, the political system in Guyana has been marred by the cycle of abuse, dismissals, and empty promises. Citizens often accept these injustices with a resigned defeatism that is born not out of ignorance but out of fear — the fear of retribution.
The phenomenon of retribution in Guyana is not merely a political tool, but a cultural and societal one. It is a force that silences voices and stifles dissent. It discourages the questioning of authority, the challenging of power structures, and the holding of elected officials accountable. This fear is not just a relic of the past; it is actively shaping the present and threatening the future of democracy. To understand the depth of this issue, one must first examine the roots of fear in Guyana’s political context, the consequences it has for democratic engagement, and the urgent need for a shift in the collective mindset of the populace.
The fear of retribution in Guyana can be traced back to the country’s colonial past, where political power was often wielded by a select few, and dissent was met with harsh punishment. In post-independence Guyana, this fear was further entrenched as political parties, particularly the two major ones, came to represent more than just ideological differences — they became symbols of ethnic and regional divides. The politicization of ethnicity and the use of state resources to maintain political loyalty created an environment where power was synonymous with control, and questioning that power often led to personal, familial, and community-wide repercussions.
In this environment, the average Guyanese citizen learns early on that to challenge authority is to risk alienation, retaliation, or worse. Whether it’s through the loss of a government job, the denial of social services, or the withholding of development projects from certain regions, the message is clear: those who do not conform will suffer. In a country where state institutions are often intertwined with political loyalties, the consequences of defying the status quo can be dire. This fear of retribution is not abstract; it is a daily reality for many who feel they cannot speak out without risking their livelihoods or well-being.
When citizens are afraid to challenge their elected officials, democracy suffers. Democracy, by its very nature, requires an informed and active citizenry that is willing to engage with political processes, hold leaders accountable, and demand transparency and good governance. However, in a context where fear reigns, political participation becomes a challenge. Those who might otherwise speak out against corruption, inequality, or mismanagement hesitate, knowing the personal cost of dissent could be high.
This climate of fear also feeds into a broader culture of apathy. When people see no tangible consequences for the failures of their leaders, and when they are taught to fear the repercussions of speaking up, they grow indifferent to the political process altogether. The result is a cycle of disengagement, where voters simply cast their ballots without any expectation of real change. In a system where leaders are not held accountable, the promises of development, better education, healthcare, and infrastructure remain just that — promises.
In Guyana, this cycle of fear and apathy has led to a democracy that is not truly responsive to the needs of its people. Instead, it has become a democracy where the elected representatives serve their own interests or the interests of the political elites, rather than those of the citizens who put them in office. This is the true danger of the fear of retribution — it perpetuates a system that is inherently unjust and unaccountable, leaving the majority of Guyanese people marginalized and disillusioned.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the fear of retribution in Guyana is the resignation it breeds among the population. The masses seem to accept, almost passively, the abuses and empty promises of their leaders. Whether under the government of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) or the People’s National Congress (PNC) or APNU+AFC, the Guyanese people have learned to expect little and tolerate much. When politicians make grand promises during election campaigns, it is not so much disbelief that follows, but a quiet acceptance of the futility of hope. After all, why challenge the system when retribution will surely follow? Why demand better when it seems like the forces of power will crush you if you do?
This resignation is not borne out of ignorance or a lack of education. Guyanese are keenly aware of the discrepancies between what politicians promise and what they deliver. They understand the inequalities that persist in their communities. Yet, the pervasive fear of retribution leads many to simply give up, resigning themselves to the status quo. They internalize the belief that their voices do not matter, that they are powerless in the face of a system rigged against them.
In this context, it is crucial to remind both the citizens and the politicians of the fundamental truth of democracy: politicians are there to serve the people, not the other way around. The role of elected officials is to work toward the betterment of the society that elects them, not to further their own interests or those of their political party. Guyanese citizens must reclaim the power that is rightfully theirs and hold their leaders accountable. The question citizens should ask their elected officials is simple: “How are you working to improve my life with my tax dollars?”
Unfortunately, this question is rarely asked with the seriousness it deserves. Citizens are too often passive, waiting for promises to materialize without holding their representatives to account. There needs to be a shift in how Guyanese view their role in the political process. Political participation should not be limited to voting every five years; it should be a constant, active engagement with the mechanisms of governance.
