The title of this essay is a slogan, and like most slogans, it has the ring of truth. This slogan has more. It has the deep desire to fulfill a need that is at the heart of all societies which feel oppressed. Can it then refer to a democracy, which is government of, by and for the people? It is hard to conceive that there can be circumstances where the people might find it necessary to save themselves in a democracy, which provides that each individual has the right to express his or her preference in the form of a vote at elections for representative government.
In a few weeks’ time, the people of Belize will go to the polls to elect a new government. Actually, they will elect representatives who will form the government. They will choose between the two major parties because, according to tradition, our electorate has always done so and, the chances are they will not depart from tradition. We will then have a government of the people, by the people but, how can we be sure that we will have a government for the people?
Another famous slogan is “Power to the people.” Well, in a democracy, the people have the power to choose between those who put themselves forward as candidates for election as members of the House of Representatives.
In most stable democracies, there are two major political parties with different philosophies and programs for the people to choose from. There should be no problem if their candidates were men of honor and good will, with a desire to serve their country in accord with the oath of office, “conscientiously, impartially and to the best of their ability, and to do right to all manner of people without fear or favor, affection or ill will”.
I have no doubt that in the early years of a democracy, there is a conscious effort on the part of the elected representatives of the people to serve the best interests of the people, above their own or that of any other individual or group.
But, as time goes by, things change. Political parties become larger and stronger, financial resources begin to play a more important part in determining the results of elections, and electioneering develops into a science.
Then, as finance becomes a greater determinant in the results of elections, the people’s best interests are relegated to a secondary position and the interests of the parties and their financiers take precedence. At this point, which every democracy reaches sooner or later, government for the people, which was an ideal at the outset, can no longer be realized. Thus, the slogan, “Only the people can save the people,” though still true, is of no consequence, for in the history of democracy up to now, the people have not been able to save themselves.
So. Now, popular opinion is that what we need is a third political party. The feeling is that small groups with a political philosophy and an agenda should make common cause and form one party, by hammering out a charter and a constitution, making whatever compromises they have to, along the way.
They forget that the People’s United Party was first a movement of liberation with a strong labour base before it became a political party, and the National Independence Party (eventually succeeded by the UDP) was basically all those in favor of the status quo and were averse to any revolution. Also, they had the financial support of those who felt they had much to lose if the “revolution” succeeded.
I regret to sound a discordant note but, I am not sanguine about the prospects of political parties formed during the past few years. The leaders of these parties may be citizens of high integrity and purpose, who have a desire to serve our nation and are convinced that they would do a better job than either of the two major political parties. I wish them well but, I would be greatly surprised if our electorate broke with tradition and elected any of their candidates to the House of Representatives. I believe that if anyone in Belize wishes to make politics his career and is serious about his future, he would have to serve his apprenticeship in one or the other of the two major parties. Can any one of them make a significant impact for change and improvement in our society by joining an established political party? The answer is yes, if he or she does what it takes. I don’t know what it takes. But, there is another way to serve the nation and make an impact on our political life.
I think the way the people can serve the people is to have a THIRD FORCE. An organization of citizens who consider it their duty to serve the nation by coming together to achieve NATIONAL GOALS on the basis of priority. Many of these goals should have been pursued long ago and, if they had, some of them would have already been achieved, if our political leaders had considered them a priority. The main purpose of the organization would be to identify these goals, prioritize them and bring its influence on the major political parties to take appropriate action.
In my next article on the subject, I propose to share my thoughts about this organization, how it may be formed, structured and preserved, and some of our natural goals, which may already have occurred to our readers.