Let me open by saying that this will definitely not be a popular piece. It goes to the very heart of our culture as a nation, where we have made an art of passing blame for anything and everything away from ourselves and most times onto the State. Every time you read a story about some problem, issue or tragedy there is always a call for the government to step in. It seems that we expect the government to solve all of our problems and this gives insight into our psyche, a mindset where as a nation we refuse to deal with life on our own and would prefer a free ride through it courtesy of the State.
I defend no government and no political party. I think they are all rotten and corrupt, fundamentally self-interested and none have ever had proper plans to move our country forward. That being said the limits of government and what the government is expected to do must be understood by all citizens.
A government is first and foremost entrusted with our national security and well-being. They are to defend our borders from external threats, which is not an issue in our case. They are also supposed to secure the country internally and protect citizens.
They are there to make laws, run state agencies, provide services such as health care and welfare etc. All of these things are within the purview of the state. With a few additions for our unique situation these are the general parameters of the government's obligations. Sadly, most governments have up to now failed to do these or do them to a satisfactory level.
Governments are however not to be blamed for every social ill and problem that arises. I am always amazed by the people who deliberately build houses on flood plains, river banks and waterways, pollute rivers and streams and then when flooding arises "we calling on de government to help we" is the popular refrain.
Yes, the state through the Ministry of Works has the responsibility to dredge and clean waterways but the state did not send anyone to build in dangerous, flood-prone areas and the state definitely did not make anyone pollute and dump garbage into waterways. These are the brutal truths that need to be stated.
As a result of reckless building the State is being forced to dredge and clean watercourses in areas that are expected to flood. The ecosystems of swamps and river mouths are designed to cope with the cycle of floods and droughts and flora and fauna have adapted to this. Some need the flood waters, (the cascadura, under the ground, await the waters, so too do certain plants). When marshland is drained and dredged to accommodate careless builders we are destroying the habitat of millions of animals and plants.
The other stark case that prompted this piece was the response to the tragedy of a son killing his mother on Mother's Day in a property dispute. Almost instantly there were calls for the State to set up mediation facilities to intervene in such situations. It may be a good idea for there to be some form of mediation but unless I am mistaken the courts have jurisdiction over this and all citizens have equal access to the courts. Property disputes and related issues can be addressed in court.
Maybe some people may not want to or cannot afford to go to court. But even if a mediator is established will he have legally binding power? What incentive do people have to comply with mediators or even go in the first place?
To me these calls for State-run mediation reflect a desire for the state to get involved in the most sacred and private matters involving families. Is the State now supposed to get involved in the life of every family? So when kids don't want to go to bed at seven they can call the mediator or when there is a fight who gets the last piece of macaroni pie the mediator will be called? Exaggeration? Maybe, but this is Trinidad and Tobago people we are talking about, these situations may not seem as far out as they appear.
The list of calls for the state to get involved goes on and on but that is a symptom of the deeper problem. In general we as a people have developed an attitude that seeks to shift blame and responsibility away from ourselves. This is not unique to us. At present some people in the UK want the government to block Internet pornography instead of parents simply monitoring their own children but what is unique about us is that we have made an art out of it and the scenarios we want the state to get involved in are many and varied.
It seems we would prefer living in a country where the government does everything for us, even raise our children and make all decisions for us. What is the cause of this? Maybe a too-generous welfare state? A lack of responsibility? Lax education system? Outside influences?
I'm not sure. Rigorous scholarship should look into the causes of our collective dependence on the state. What I do know is that our demands and expectations are not feasible. The Government is limited in what it can do and is supposed to do. Until we begin to take responsibility for ourselves and our families we will continue to suffer social breakdown and lack of real nationhood. Without the unitary existence of pride and rationality within each individual we can never hope to build a caring, responsible and equitable society.
• Rajiv Gopie won the President's Medal in 2006 for business/modern studies. He is an MSc candidate in International Relations at the London School of Economics.
