Boyne
Ian Boyne, Contributor
BY NOW, the public discussion would have shifted to the new Cabinet, but after that peripheral chatter is over, we will have to come back to the more substantial issues raised by P.J. Patterson in his post-election victory speech and in his swearing-in address - the building of a Jamaica of peace, harmony, unity and social justice, and a Jamaica determined to stamp out crime and corruption.
In one of its finest editorials of recent times, the Gleaner on Wednesday put it exceedingly well, "If Prime Minister Patterson is successful in his stated aim to unify the nation, his other achievements including his history-making electoral wins will pale into insignificance by comparison."
Those who remember the role of the Gleaner in the 1970s would take heart-and cherish hope - to read the following statement in an editorial, not a column: "One Jamaica is a country of privilege with all that that implies and the other is a country of poverty, the denial of opportunity and a condemnation to a predetermined role and status for the vast majority."
Rightly crediting Edward Seaga for putting the "two Jamaicas" and the haves and have-nots issue back on the public agenda, the editorial says that "to achieve any semblance of unity in this context will require an expansion of the opportunities for those who are disadvantaged, primarily the removal of the obstacles that poverty imposes in accessing education. It does not end there".
The Gleaner editorial - not any Gleaner columnist's opinion - rejects the laissez-faire, neo-liberal, laid -back state and says out of "the initiative of the state must come the will to tackle and solve the problems of poor housing, inadequate water supply, a lack of health facilities and all the other indices of poverty -- creating this unity -- will require considerable effort -- and the erosion or removal of the factors that create division and disunity".
These are the kinds of words which used to be uttered by Michael Manley in the 1970s and which sent fear up the spine of many a Gleaner editorial writer in that era.
A LEGACY WORTH SAVOURING
But that brings us to a crucial point and a significant reason why P. J. Patterson has an historic challenge and awesome opportunity to leave a legacy worth savoring.
Michael Manley, like Eddie Seaga today, ironically, put before this nation the imperative of social justice and social equity.
In the 1960s, we felt that the industrialisation-by-invitation model was sufficient to trickle-down benefits to the masses. By the end of the 1960s, which did produce remarkable economic growth and expansion - our most impressive decade economically - we had a high level of unemployment, social exclusion and growing alienation of the masses.
It was a growth-with-inequality model similar to the Brazilian model. There was a considerable social deficit by the time Michael Manley inherited power under the theme "Better Must Come" in 1972.
But Manley's dream of unifying the country and breaking down the class, cultural and social barriers turned into a nightmare. Class and social antagonisms increased to unbearable levels; the society was rent apart and when many Jamaicans felt threatened the ruling class reacted violently (literally and otherwise).
Manley's now infamous "Five Flights a Day to Miami" speech was representative of an era of bitter divisions and a perception of the arrogance of power.
Eddie Seaga emerged as the "Deliverer" to rescue us from the 'Pharaoh' of Michael Manley and his army of taskmasters who would, popular perception was, have sold us to the slavery of communism.
I am still convinced that Manley's goals and vision were laudable. He was no communist but truly a democratic socialist or revolutionary democrat.
But whatever the reasons, we must admit one thing - The Manley years deepened the divisions and tensions in the society, engendered unprecedented levels of violence and brought this country to the brink of collapse.
Manley underestimated the virulence of the response of the capitalists and the power elite - the establishment - to his rhetoric and vision - perhaps more so to the former, and he did not exercise the kind of persuasive leadership which could have reassured the ruling class that his vision of social inclusiveness and people empowerment was the only viable way of ensuring social peace.
Manley was saying exactly what Edward Seaga was saying in the 2002 election campaign - That this society cannot continue to function as two Jamaicas, with one Jamaica which Mr. Seaga describes as the 30 per cent which has access to the best, and the other Jamaica the 70 per cent which can only manage the worst.
He was saying like Seaga of 2002, that uptown needs to understand downtown; that until the poor in the inner cities are taken into consideration; until their interests are addressed "everywhere is war".
Manley was saying, like the Gleaner editorial, that it's fine for middle class people, church people and civil society to talk glibly about unity, peace and harmony but (it bears repeating), "creating this unity-- will require considerable effort and the erosion and or removal of the factors that create division and disunity".
Michael Manley just did not find a way to sell his vision to all the classes and interest groups.
He scared off the investors, both local and overseas. He frightened people in the church and civil society who could have been useful allies. He just did not find the way to create a progressive path that was sustainable.
By the end of the 1970s, he had to abandon many of his social programmes anyway and his regime ended up worsening the condition of the poor and making a disaster of the economy.
Whether he was sabotaged, CIAed or whatever, is not the issue: His leadership failed to avoid the pitfalls.
HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PATTERSON
P.J. Patterson has the finest opportunity in this post-Cold War era to do what Manley failed to do. This is a time when the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), is showing increased interest in the social agenda; when the Gleaner is commenting favourably on the need for the state to have the will to address social issues, not just macroeconomic ones, and when Opposition Leader Edward Seaga is himself the most eloquent politician today pushing the social agenda.
This is an historic opportunity for P.J. Paterson to achieve both peace and justice.
The PSOJ, led by no less an influential player than Oliver Clarke, is taking an activist role in pushing for social reforms and has produced a crime report which is one of the most progressive, wholistic and comprehensive on the table; a report which is incisive in its analyses and understanding of the root causes of crime and violence, and does not display the usual middle-class superficiality on these issues.
LIKELY PERSONALITY TRAITS
The conditions are right for P. J. Patterson's success. And, very importantly, he is hugely gifted with the personality traits to make it happen.
P.J. Patterson is a man not laden with the weight of insecurities. He possesses the humility, generosity of spirit and gracefulness critical to succeed as a leader - and critical to pulling disparate groups and individuals together.
Many people mistakenly attribute weakness and indecisiveness to Patterson because they know so little about leadership dynamics. In management there is the phrase "soft is hard".
Patterson is not easily provoked and, therefore, is not easily manipulated psychologically.
He knows how to discipline his emotions, how not to over-react. If by some divine force, some of these qualities of Patterson were transfered to Edward Seaga, Patterson might not be in Jamaica House today.
Edward Seaga, even when he has the right message, simply doesn't have the trust of many persons because of his tendency to put his foot in his mouth and to speak whatever comes to his mind. In Jamaica, we are told that "is not everything good fi eat good fi talk".
Seaga, who knows more about our folk culture than P.J. Patterson, would have done well to follow that advice.
Some PNP callers to the talk shows have criticised me for saying Seaga is renewing himself and for "bigging up" Seaga too much. "A leopard can't change his spots", one told Ronnie Thwaites last week Wednesday morning after I had yet again praised Seaga in an interview with Thwaites that morning.
Yes, Seaga has been demonised and misunderstood but very often he has been his own worst enemy. Anyone who wants to understand why the JLP lost the recent elections should read or re-read my article, "What's Working Against the JLP" (September 9). I need not add one single sentence to that in analysing what happened October 16.
In that article I said, "The demonisation of Seaga by the PNP and his own dissidents scare off many potential voters".
But I have as often said, and said again in that column, that Seaga has done a lot to damage himself.
I wrote: "Unfortunately, Seaga's own acerbic attacks against the legitimate security forces and his strident defence of Tivoli Gardens under controversial circumstances, has done nothing to help his cause and to protect him against his demonisers. Besides, his intemperate, bellicose outbursts and tendency to sharply attack public officials have not won many friends and influenced many people". Because of Seaga's lack of self-control and irascible nature, he is easily provoked and therefore his "tongue is easily drawn". He "gives away his power", to use a common phrase used by psychologists. Not so P.J. Patterson. He has the capacity to take a lot and to remain quiet under intense pressure. That's character.
Seaga's irresponsible, intemperate and unwarranted attack on the Police Commissioner, rightly rebuffed by the police officers group and condemned by many well-thinking Jamaicans, is an example of his being his worst enemy.
I was not surprised by it, though I remain hopeful that he will change. I am a Christian, you see. I believe in the possibility of conversion and miracles.
It is not only P.J. Patterson who should be concerned about legacy.
Seaga must genuinely work for national unity; must move past the confrontational, acrimonious throwback from the 1970s and must consign to the metaphorical grave, where Michael Manley lies, that divisive, acerbic spirit of that divisive era.
SEAGA'S OPPORTUNITY
It's a new era, Mr. Seaga. You have got it right by addressing the social agenda. You are being quoted in editorials on this issue which means you have made an impact.
You can't talk character education and not live it. It begins with words. It is not true that "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can't harm me." They do more harm than sticks and stones.
Resist the provocation to issue irresponsible, angry words against people you disapprove of. You do a disservice to yourself and I don't accept the excuse that you are just speaking your mind and "not being a hypocrite." Take your own advice and "bite your lip".
The JLP Parliamentary Group and the Central Executive rightly endorsed Mr. Seaga's continued leadership of the JLP.
He is the best and most capable person to lead the JLP at this time and he must be given the opportunity to prepare his successor.
The worst thing for the JLP at this time is for a few ambitious people to put their egos before party interests. Unless they want to stay in the political wilderness. The country wants sober, consultative, conciliatory, dignified leadership; a leadership which unites all and inspires us to a common vision, not one which divides, however respectable the ideology.
This is the legacy P. J. Patterson must strive for, keenly understanding that social justice is indispensable to this.
Edward Seaga's opportunity is to show by example that Saul can, indeed, become Paul.
