What self-governmentbenefits for Tobago?

THE EDITOR: Historians will readily agree that the world has evolved from pre-historic times to what many now describe as the information age.

The question, however, is whether the nature of human beings has changed. More specifically has the focus of political leaders changed as a result of this evolution?

I raise this question, having reflected for over 50 years on the nature of leadership and the perceptions of politicians in Greek democracies, Roman republics, biblical society, developed and developing countries across the continents, and even in so-called failed states.

Indeed, my concern is overwhelming.

I therefore must ask to what extent has the ordinary citizen benefitted from the games of politicians during the relentless unfolding of societies worldwide and over time? Let us specifically speak of Tobago.

I still vividly remember Tobago in the 1950s, a time of pre-independence.

I participated in the euphoria of independence. In 1978, I became sentimental and compared the 1956 and 1976 PNM manifestos because of the talk about republicanism. I was wide awake in 2015 when the debate of more powers and service through local government emerged. Once again, I am hearing distant drums heralding self-government for Tobago.

It is against the background of all that I so far have written that I now rhetorically ask the following questions:

1. Have all citizens in the US experienced new-found wealth, well-being, less stress, and peace of mind because of President Donald Trump’s attempt to drain the swamp of Capitol Hill?

2. Is the UK enjoying greater political peace, social harmony, and economic prosperity because of Brexit?

3. To what extent has anarchy and political upheaval in Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan, Libya, Venezuela, and Haiti brought progress, peace and prosperity to the ordinary citizens of these countries?

Finally, with Tobago in mind, I ask:

1. What will be the benefits to the citizens of Tobago as a result of self-government?

2. In what ways will life in Tobago be improved as compared with the realities of the past?

3. How will culture, politics, economic dynamics, creativity, innovation, and social cohesion improve as a result of self-government in Tobago?

By way of conclusion, I can assure readers that throughout the annals of world history, a political elite always benefitted from societal and political changes. While changes embraced the ordinary citizen they were like bread crumbs in comparison to the loaves that the political elite enjoyed.

Perhaps instead of clamouring for self-government, would it not be wiser to determine to what extent we can improve the delivery of the THA system to ensure greater prosperity, peace of mind, and opportunities for self-actualisation for citizens in TT in general and for Tobago in particular? Yes!

What about a conversation on who benefits and what will be the benefits of self-government for Tobago? Can we change a pig to a horse by telling it that it is a horse?

RAYMOND S HACKETT

Curepe