Very soon the people of Antigua and Barbuda will go to the polls to elect a new government to take care of the country’s affairs over the next five years. From all indications, general elections are also expected soon in St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago (constitutionally due in 2015).
From the previous rounds of elections in the Caribbean it is clear that economic matters such as the state of the economy, the cost of living and the level of unemployment have topped the agenda as things that concern the voting public, the most based upon the findings of CADRES’ polls done in Barbados and Grenada as just two examples.
Given the current state of regional economies, I do not expect many differences in Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago when it comes to the issues that would matter most to individuals who will eventually determine the outcomes of those general elections.
Having fought tight battles on the campaign trail, prepared and presented manifestos that outline what each political party intends to do to address many of the countries’ ills, the electorate will make the final decisions as to which party they think most deserves to take over the reins of government. Once that decision is made and the new government takes office, the task of governing the country begins in earnest. But how should new governments approach the issue of governance?
Logically, economic and political ideology will play a huge role in the type of governance that emerges. And honestly I do not have a problem with governments or political parties adopting any particular ideology as long as good judgement and common sense prevail. You see, Caribbean countries cannot afford to allow themselves to be influenced by ideological perspectives without taking due care to ensure that the prescriptions for transforming their socio-economic landscape have to be consistent with their own unique circumstances.
Assuming then that the new governments have settled on the way forward from an ideological standpoint, then several things must be done to ensure good governance. Two such things are discipline in the execution of policies and accountability.
On the issue of discipline in the execution of policies, governments throughout the Caribbean have to ensure that targets are set in relation to all of the key macroeconomic variables and that the measures designed to meet those targets are implemented without fear or favour. If our countries have the discipline to stay the course each time they enter into an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and are able to meet the performance targets set in conjunction with the IMF, then there clearly cannot be any excuse for failing to do so as part of our day-to-day economic and social management.
In terms of accountability, the main message to all of our governments is that if you are worthy of credit when, for example, the economy improves; then, you have to also be prepared to accept full responsibility when things go wrong.
To sum up, winning an election is good for the political party that will form the new government. But the main challenges lie ahead as the issue of governance takes centre stage once the new government is sworn into office. How well the new government governs will be the key to what happens in the next general elections. Do you doubt me?
• Brian M. Francis, PhD is a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus.