Is development a function of chance?
Since
the last elections, I have been pondering on two questions:
1.
Is our development a function of chance? or
2.
Is it a function of deliberate Gov’t policy?
I
have been doing a lot of “scientific thinking” in that regard. Is our
development truly a function of the processes which the political pundits claim
to have framed? Or is it all hoax?
In
any experiment – scientific or otherwise – we want our results to be a function
of our experimental intervention; but we can’t always rule out chance or “serendipity”
(that is, discovery by accident). Indeed, the theory of universal gravitation –
one the greatest unifying scientific theories – started with serendipity, when
an apple, it is alleged accidentally fell on Isaac Newton’s nose. That
triggered – not just pain but - a whole gamut of thought which resulted in the
discovery of the theory of gravity, which later became the basis for formulation
of Einstein’s general theory of relativity – a masterpiece in the scientific
world!
Economic transformation on the
horizon?
Dr
Kenny Anthony is no Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein. But I want to suggest that
his development initiatives have some “scientific lines” which point us away
from the doom, gloom and failure which so aptly characterized us over the last
five years. I argue: If these initiatives are delivered according to
expectations, then I daresay that we are all in for the beginning of an
economic transformation in the midst of perhaps the most difficult economic period
we have witnessed since the great depression.
Intellectual honesty and growth
It’s
unfortunate that we are now grappling with a “degenerating’” debate around a bogus
4.4% GDP growth which perhaps became the major pillar of the UWP campaign. The confidently
dogmatic manner in which King postulated it almost convinced me that it was a conclusive
fact. He owned it and took all the credit for it but with the loss of
that monumental "4X4 luxury", he now has found himself
waking up from perhaps his worst prime ministerial nightmare!
As
is generally typical of dishonest leaders, when it turned out to be a “hoax”,
he crouched in all sorts of undignified postures to repudiate it; even to the
point of calling for the “head” of the director of Statistics.
During
the tenure of the last gov’t, a lot of blame was cast on external factors for
the non-performance of the economy. In fact King - reminiscent of a confused
leader with a deep split-personality syndrome - was singing two contrasting economic
tunes at the same time. In one corner of his mouth, he was doing a melancholy about
‘exogenous’ circumstances and their
debilitating impact on the economy; in the other corner, he was singing a happy
song of a 4.4% GDP growth.
That
juxtaposition of the two positions was logically untenable to the point of sheer
ludicrosity; but none of his large protective belt of advisors provided him with
insulation - or is it that in his bliss, he refused advice in the same way he
ignored the caveats from the director of statistics. Who allowed the emperor to
be exposed to the ravages of the elements?
If
there’s one thing I am prepared to give Dr Anthony, it is his intellectual
honesty when it comes to issues of that nature. (I know you will flash the Rochamel
card in my face; but irrespective of Rick Wayne’s never-ending demonization of
Kenny, he was thoroughly vindicated by the Privy Council - the highest court of law – and subsequently
also by the politically-inspired “Commission of Enquiry”. So the Rochamel invention was relegated to a
charade which certainly gave more “heat than light”; but it was extinct in
both!)
Optimism and the prospects for growth
Right
now, with Kenny at the wheel, there’s an optimistic frame of mind that pervades
the country. Indeed, the dark clouds of economic doom and gloom now have a
well-defined silver lining. I listened to the policy pronouncements in the
budget presentation and indeed, they inspired hope. I’m particularly impressed
with policy shifts and initiatives regarding the re-implementation of STEP, and
the implementation of programmes like LEAP, NICE, NAEP etc; and side by side
those, I’m heartened by the initiatives for the construction sector. Even in
the context of our resource limitations, Kenny has launched an all-out WAR (We
Are Ready) on unemployment and I expect a significant impact thereon.
If
Lorne’s ministry can maintain a steady or increased momentum in the tourism
industry, and the Phillip can keep the construction industry vibrant, then I see
a real prospect for a 4.4% GDP growth.
Rallying for a better St. Lucia
So,
let’s forget about King’s crudities of plot and sour grapes! I believe genuine and
patriotic St. Lucians have the interest of the country at heart and are
rallying behind Kenny’s experiment for a better St. Lucia.
For
the first time in five years, I see development on the horizon which I believe
will largely be a function of sound government policies!
Bravo
Kenny! And Keep it up! You are on the right track for a sound economic recovery!
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