AFTER GOD, next in the chain of modern command is Government. It is not a good idea to curse God. Politicians however, could get it. When things appear to be going not so well in a country, the natural tendency of a Government is to point to acts of God and external factors as the reasons. The tendency of the public is often to hold the Government responsible, reasoning that it must either be incompetent or indifferent.
Politics may be thrown down from heaven in the coming world as we increasingly look to business to solve our problems and provide for our needs. What is the origin of the faith that the business class is any less indifferent or any more competent than the political class? The power of power to corrupt is no less because a person is a devout capitalist. The idea that there is a business class or a political class separate from the rest-o’-we class begs the question, Which God is each of these classes serving?
“Privatisation is the healing of the nation.” That is the chant you hear as economic experts, business people and some politicians dance around the bonfire to the beat of neo-liberal drums. The belief is that the private sector is ordained to inherit the earth and the fullness thereof and that from it, all blessings will flow. It is the proposed alternative to the belief system of “Government shall provide”.
For years we exercised blind faith. In a political party we trusted. We became complacent. With the people’s eyes closed political parties tend to fix their vision no further than the next election. Parties often finance election campaigns like how we used to get goods from the old-time shopkeepers; on “trust”. They promise to pay back the donating shopkeepers. If the people are still blind, the payback could be with the people’s birthright. Trust may be shifting even more in the direction of the private shopkeeper sector.
Some prefer that government facilitates business to provide. In some parts of the world even the water has been privatised. Corporate fingers increasingly control the tap of resources. The hope and prayer is that economics continue to trickle down.
All now, many taps are dry. Cups are less than overflowing. Look to the sky for the coming of a private sector entity offering salvation from water woes. In Barbados, private sector salvation very often comes on a plane as an import. If the private sector were more reflective of and connected to the people, maybe there would be less concern. Then again, a reflective and connected parliament is no guarantee either.
The writing on the wall reminds some of an old Strathclyde sign saying, “Privatised property, keep out.” The so-called small man fears that just as is the case with land, there is a possibility that he could be priced out of the market. Even from the market of basic necessities. The market is an idol that the prophets of profit bow down to. If you do not have assets and disposable income you are not one of the market’s anointed. In the religion of profit, a sacrifice of the so-called small man is required.
The evangelists of the gospel of business can be extremely convincing. They come bearing gifts, therefore they must be wise men, some believe. The simplistic mathematics goes like this: having lots of money = leadership potential. See the surprising success of Donald Trump.
Multitudes proclaim that the messiah is risen and his name shall be called Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur shall wipe away all economic sorrows and lead us to the promised land of milk and honey in brand name heaven. Entrepreneur shall bestow blessings on the multitude and feed us all. However, he will need more than two flying fish and five salt breads. He will require substantial investment capital.
Once upon a time the entrepreneur also required labourers. You got a promise note for a piece of heaven in exchange for your work. The Caribbean now has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world and five million jobs worldwide are expected to be lost as human beings are replaced by robots and other forms of automation. Tupac Shakur once asked if there was space in heaven for a G. Now we might ask if there is space on Earth for anybody unless they have a high-level specialty degree. But wait, just as a high-level degree becomes even more of a necessity, the freeness ended.
Neo-liberal zealots wish to tear down the idols of socialism. They would dismantle the temples of public ownership and shrines of social services. The property of the people is easily sold to private concerns because as far as they are concerned, God is on the side of he who has the cash and when God is for you, no man can be against you. The chant grows stronger. “Privatisation is the healing of the nation.” In desperation governments and the people may catch the beat and sing robotically along with the hymns.
We see the privatisation trend evidenced in the growing popularity of private schools. Our faith in the government to provide quality education is being tested. Similarly, high food prices and low produce quality inspire some to grow their own food, chronically late buses inspire some to purchase a car and water outages increase the sales of bottled water.
In a free society, when public services break down, the private sector can step in, but the public may also step up. The people innovate, create new ways and provide for themselves. If you can’t pay for private school you may choose to educate in the privacy of your home. If you can’t find a job you may choose to become a roadside vending entrepreneur. This should be facilitated, unless privatisation is the privilege of just a certain class.
Adrian Green is a creative communications specialist. Email [email protected]
