Recent events both at home and abroad must not pass without comment, for the lessons to be drawn from them are very important for our young democracy. From time to time some commentators and callers to local radio make the case for a change from our system to that of the Americans with an elected president separate and distinct from the elected chamber itself.
But the not so distant travails of President Barack Obama and the American Congress in their quest to agree on deficit reduction guidelines ought to give no comfort to those who advocate such a change for us, because few could be happy with the long, drawn-out, nerve-jangling horse trading that went on in full view of the public gaze.
We can contrast that situation with ours. In a single Budget Speech, the Government’s policy on fiscal and monetary issues is laid out and after a further debate for two parliamentary days, the Government is assured of the passage of the resolution and the new policy is set in legislative format and the country’s economic gears are accordingly adjusted.
Both systems are democratic, but ours is a much more functional-friendly system in which the ruling party is assured of getting its programme through.
The same is not true with our neighbour to the north, for presidents have had their wings so severely clipped by the founding fathers that the presidential action can often be delayed by members of the Congress, since each member is a source of real political power.
With all its much criticized flaws, our system works quickly and we should count our blessings.
The Libyan example throws up lessons of a different kind, but they are perhaps more important.
There, it has been shown perhaps more so than in any of the other Middle Eastern countries that the people are the true repository of political power, and that leaders must never forget this truth, for they do so at their peril.
We enjoy an active democracy in our country, and we are free to criticize the authorities on their policy and action, and long may this continue.
But democracy is a continuing exercise and efforts must be made by all concerned – Government, ordinary people and even the non-governmental organizations – to ensure that the virtues of democratic governance are canvassed and discussed with our young people so that they become more appreciative and cognizant of the system that touches and concerns a major aspect of their lives. Recent lessons must be understood.
