Cuba has asked Obama to remove them from the state sponsor
list of terrorism and as such, Obama has moved to grant that request. It is
said that Cuba has been one of the many states that practice some form of
communism government. As such, they were seen as violating of human right. At least
most of the states that has some form of communist concept, the international
community has placed sanctions on them in hope that they will ‘conform’ and
change their ideals. Countries such as Venezuela, North Korea and Russia, the
international community has placed sanctions on them. But I would like to examine
some of these countries that have some form of communist concept and examine
how those countries are doing in terms of growth and other critical areas.
In China, there was a mass demonstration by the people
protesting against their government that they would like the right to select
their leaders – insisting on having a democratic government. We are yet to see
if any result had come from that protest but the people were quite frustrated for
whatever reason. Let us face it, China has become a world power, having one of
the fastest growing economy in the world, which means you have less poverty,
good health care and education system. China is a first world country and they
did not automatically become one, the leaders had a vision and they did it
their way – communism. A political scientist from china made mention that there
isn’t one way to run a country and that is true. While democracy works for some
country, communism works for others, would it work for Jamaica?
One of the main aspect that I would like to focus on is the
crime rate of some communist states. Cuba has one of the lowest crime rate in
the western hemisphere. Singapore which is a guided democracy – having some
form of communist concept, has one of the lowest crime rate in the world, along
with China and Rwanda in Africa. If you also look at these countries corruption
levels, it is also among the lowest in the world. It also goes without saying
that some of these countries has one of the best economies in the world.
Investors flood these countries, what of Jamaica? If we really look at other
critical areas these countries are leading globally. I am not being envious,
nor am I saying we ought to adapt every policy from others, I just simply want
to see Jamaica being place on a path of growth and prosperity where the
citizens feel safe. In recent times, crime in Jamaica has been shocking! Could communism
curb the crime monster? While communism work for others, it doesn’t work for
some, would it work for Jamaica?
Truth be told, we are a very indiscipline nation. We need to
develop a level of discipline and I don’t believe democracy will achieve such.
Japan is a democratic state and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world,
but democracy in Japan is not democracy in Jamaica. The democracy that exists
in Jamaica is one that is poor, and failing. I cannot say definitively if
communism would work for Jamaica but clearly democracy isn’t working. Many will
say that it is the incompetency of our politicians that is the problem and not
democracy because you can have democracy with competent leaders. While that is
true, the flipside to that is democracy is the reason those incompetent persons
are leading. I strongly support communism but because it usually comes with
some violation of human rights, I don’t think it is ideal. However, if it would
make me feel safe, live in a discipline country that is growing, I think I could
work with that.
The Singaporean model seems fine, it is called a guided
democracy – really close to communism. The truth of the matter is, if we can
have leaders who are competent, who understand growth strategy and advancement
of the people then it can work. As much as how Rwandan president has been chastised
for human rights violation, you have a low crime rate, a disciplined nation, a
growing economy, less poverty and more jobs. But with our current system,
communism wouldn’t work for Jamaica. Alternatively, what I suggest is having
term limits on these politicians because there is no way you should have a politicians
serving up to until they are 80 – rubbish! Our political landscape needs to be change,
our government system need revamping, the Westminster model has overstayed its
welcome, we need something new, something fresh, but the status quo seems that
it will never be challenged. In the final analysis the question still stands,
would communism work for Jamaica?
