Engagement according to the past, or in today's world?

Greetings,

I listened to a call-in programme in the Caribbean on which there was a panel discussion about the response, and accountability, of government to the people. Good, thought I, as that is what democracy is all about. However, some members of the public who called in to the programme to voice their views, gave me cause for concern.Their tone did not seem to express a genuine interest in the business of accountability by government in a democratic society, but rather that the government was not being 'subject' to their bidding. I guess some folk are experiencing difficulty in understanding what government is about, and how to engage it. Moreover, there is still the belief by some that there is still room for the colonial 'cutchey' (forgive me if my spelling of the word is incorrect.). This means, it is considered necessary to satisfy this ancient custom of subservience in order to be met with approval, even in the 21st century. What was more disturbing was the impression of a distinct air of superiority towards the powers that be underlying the stance of these callers.

Why am I going down this road? 

History has a habit of repeating itself. According to my parents, this was the type of behaviour they had to contend with in their youthful days on their Caribbean island when it was a Crown Colony, and which continued after they had left it.  It supported a false belief that if what is to be done, put forward, or presented, is not satisfactory to 'those who matter the most',  which did not necessarily mean the people per se, then nothing will go on.

 "The government is the method of management used by the state". (The Pattern of Government, Rust 1969, p.2) 

Government is not in place to serve the few to the exclusion of everybody else. It is not a 
'Domestic Servant', or to be manipulated by 'the chosen'  to the detriment of the state. Many a conflict has taken place around the world because of these misguided notions.

I will explain part of the above by referring to history passed on to me.

I use the term 'Domestic Servant', because for some folk, the only reference they have in order to communicate with The Government, authorities of the state, and certain individuals at home and from abroad, is the condescending manner used towards the employees of the former islandwide 'Domestic Service Industry' in the days of Crown Colony, and the early days of Independence. This intrinsic behavioural attitude of 'subservience to be paid to...', is the root cause of agitation, and is an impediment to the conversation that should be taking place to bring about response, and accountability from the government, that some members of the public crave.   

So, to those who still have this thinking pattern, I suggest you...

Forget it.

Bury it.

Get over it.

Accept that the former days, and the way it was, won't be coming back, EVER!

...and instead...

Add to your thinking, RESPECT (which in turn will be mutual).

Come up with something constructive, practical, and sensible, with which to engage government in the 21st century, and will be of benefit to the state. 

Response and accountability by government may be forthcoming, if the level of engagement is in keeping with today's world.   

Peace

Grace