Submission 83
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
To: ConstitutionalReform
Subject: Governance model
Dear Commissioners,
Please consider making allowance in the new constitution for a Presidential Office that is ‘digital’ in nature. If you would be so gracious as to permit me to explain:
It is envisaged that with the gargantuan leaps in technology (communications and computing) during the last century, that a ‘digital direct participatory democracy governance model’ may actually become possible very soon.
With the internet, social media and smart phones, and especially on a small island such as ours, geographical constituencies are now rather unnecessary. It would be more efficient if parliamentary representation be replaced with an online platform where citizens can easily interface with a dedicated department of ‘people’ empowerment, to have concerns addressed and special needs met. The other various public sector areas would instead be managed by professionals, with experience in the specific topics and whose appointment would be made based on merit, rather than on popularity. Titles for many of these ‘ministries’ have already been adopted from suggestions made just prior to the BArbados Labor Party first winning it’s record thirty seats. Incidentally, it is my view that our Westminster form of electoral governance is very much flawed from the outset of elections. To explain, in order to be elected, partisan representatives generally must make promises to constituents, on behalf of their party, which are quite often unrealistic later on. To make matters worse, once elected, said representatives are installed into ‘ministerial’ posts, to manage sectoral interests which come with their own challenges, and, in all fairness, representatives quickly fall out of touch with those persons who voted them into power. Even if some are sincere in their intentions for their constituencies, budgetary realities often do not allow for delivery of many favors or promised infrastructural improvements. These officials become focused more on what can be had for themselves, family members and friends. So, for the next five years, the electorate has little opportunity to participate in the decision making process or management of public affairs. Some democracy! I do dare say that some improvements have been embarked upon, at the bequest of a few patriotic persons, to involve citizenry in a greater capacity but such mechanism should be a major part of our new Republican constitution and not merely a gesture to make people’s opinions appear to be valued. I am certainly not suggesting that this Commission is ‘ill’ conceived.
The proposal being offered to replace our outdated, ineffective and inefficient model invokes greater accountability, demands integrity and guarantees good governance throughout shorter terms of service. While placing limits on opportunities for corruption that often burdens the majority of taxpayers, such a model also reduces ongoing financial costs of maintaining elections every five years, replete with campaign funding and involving precious work time lost to canvassing. Another advantage of such a new system of governance would be that all human resources would be available to serve their country at all times. In the present system, the best talent and expertise is often relegated to languish in opposition for extended periods.
Some persons argue that our Nation’s President is but a figurehead, wielding little power nor influence, possibly even a creature of the Prime Minister, another unnecessary expense. Well, under the new regime, the person chosen to fill the Presidential post would act as chairperson of a board, Managing
Director of a company or as a President would in an American Corporation. Under such an ‘incorporated’ Barbados, twelve sectoral agencies will each be managed by a ‘Vice President’, referenced earlier, a specialist in their field and respected by their peers. When major issues arise or decisions are to be made that involve change, the empowerment department would launch a campaign to increase public awareness. This would be followed by referenda, allowing individuals to vote, online. Such ongoing data will be input and duly represented to guide the team and determine outcomes. Merging the GIS, Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Ministry of Home Affairs / Elder Affairs could form the basis for this department. Individuals might also proxy their vote to civic organizations focused on subjects being considered. If it is a religious matter, then to their church. If an agricultural or food security then to a trusted NGO. Even to the VP responsible.
As this new model is implemented, the first sectoral area to adapt will advertise for a VP, to serve for one year term, starting in January. By the following January, the person chosen will have to report on the success of their mandate, in order to be considered for a second term. Likewise, the next department to be chosen will have a new ‘manager’ installed in February. And so on. This way, an entire government will not be up for re-election at any one juncture and the business of the people can continue unimpeded, without the fanfare of accustomed partisan elections. Each month, of each year, one of our representatives will be held accountable and be given consideration for a further term. Providing that the sector is competently managed and there is no challenge then there may be no lapse. If however it is believed by voters, or their designates, that a better job can be done, then another candidate may be selected. It might be appropriate that the position of President initially falls to that person who directs the Department of People Empowerment, the arm of government responsible for capturing the pulse of the people. This way, some distance into the future when the digital mechanism is fully operational, the data collected and results disseminated might be trusted to speak and a physical President may no longer be needed.
Such a system was alluded to by one contributor at the first town hall opportunity held at St Michael’s School while an enquiry about how the President would be selected was made by a second. I will add that a new ideology is also ripe for institution by the new Constitution. This would be known as ‘SocioEnvironomics. Voters would be sensitized to the importance of economic and social issues but environmental considerations should be held in the centre of any decisions taken. This will help to adequately address climate change, global warming, sea level rise and Encourage all citizens to become better stewards of the planet so that it can sustain humanity for a long time.
I would appreciate an opportunity to explain further, and add to this draft proposal in the future, prior to the launch of our new constitution. If there is someone on the commission that would be interested in developing the language, for such a modern governance methodology to exist, I am willing to serve at the peoples’ pleasure to develop the proposal further.
Faithfully,
