CAN a democratic Jamaica achieve economic independence? Has the country’s overly tribalistic two-party system prevented it from experiencing sustained growth and prosperity? Would a dictatorial form of government bring better and more desirable results in terms of good governance and meaningful development? Would someone of the ilk and thinking of a Lee Kuan Yew make a difference? What would it take to make Jamaica the ‘Singapore of the West’? A benevolent dictator?

On numerous occasions politicians from both sides of the aisle in Gordon House, political analysts, and public affairs commentators, as well as academicians, have sought to juxtapose Jamaica’s lack of prosperity and failing statehood against Singapore, a small port city that was transformed into a wealthy global hub by its first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who moved his people from poverty to prosperity.

His death on Monday, March 23, 2015 (Singapore time) has once again brought into sharp focus this continuing debate, especially against the background that, prior to his success story back home, he had visited Jamaica in the 60s to examine our best practices and possibly emulate them. Just last week, Jamaica Labour Party (Opposition) Leader Andrew Holness jumped into the fray during his 2015 Budget presentation when he spoke extensively about Lee Kuan Yew’s great achievements.

In his speech, Holness who interestingly entitled his presentation ‘Moving from poverty to prosperity’, noted that the education system was the most powerful instrument of government to bring about social and economic change, renew hope, and rebuild the confidence of the people. And, in this vein, he cited the Singapore experience, whereby that country’s teaching of mathematics is ranked as one of the highest in the world. Said Holness: “They started at the same place like us, if not worse considering they had three languages and ethnic differences to overcome, however they viewed education as a critical condition for growth, and over 40 years ago they mandated English as the language of instruction and ensured their population was highly competent in math, technical and science subjects in line with their economic needs.”

And, while paying tribute to the late Singaporean leader, he declared: “While Singapore is far ahead of us in terms of development, there are some important lessons to learn from Lee Kuan Yew’s teachings. As a people, we need to look at the best examples of development and the creation of prosperity.” And one suspects that, partisan diatribe aside, the leadership of the governing People’s National Party would want to espouse similar views with respect to the way forward. Indeed, it must be the concerted view that until a consensus and a shared vision can be fully embraced by all Jamaicans regardless of partisan persuasion, then “dog will continue to nyam (eat) our supper!”

According to one biographical text, Lee Kuan Yew “forged a widely admired system of meritocratic, clean, self-reliant, and efficient government and civil service, much of which is now taught at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy”. But in a damning excerpt from his acclaimed book From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, he wrote: “At Kingston, Jamaica, in April 1975, Prime Minister Michael Manley, a light-skinned West Indian, presided with panache and spoke with great eloquence. But I found his views quixotic. He advocated a ‘redistribution of the world’s wealth’. His country was a well-endowed island of 2,000 square miles, with several mountains in the centre, where coffee and other sub-tropical crops were grown. Theirs was a relaxed culture. The people were full of song and dance, spoke eloquently, danced vigorously, and drank copiously. Hard work they had left behind with slavery.”

Is this true today as it was back in the turbulent 70s? Did he hit the nail on the head? The current education minister, Ronald Thwaites, once brought to the fore the biting commentary that the last time that every Jamaican was employed was prior to the abolition of slavery. How do we, as a country, rid our people of mental slavery? Is a parliament with overwhelming control, as was and is the case with Singapore, the way to go? Many have argued that Jamaicans are too free-spirited to be tamed. Some years ago, there was shock and awe when an American teenager who had dropped a chewing gum wrap on a street in Singapore was sentenced to be flogged. Zero-tolerance is the order of the day in that country which was “transformed from a relatively underdeveloped colonial outpost, with no natural resources, into an Asian Tiger economy”.

Is it that we are too undisciplined? If a government should resort to zero-tolerance and use draconian laws and methods to bring the people in line and whip them into an educated, skilled workforce, would our democracy allow that to happen without there being chaos, mayhem and possibly widespread anarchy? Many sceptics of the Singapore model have argued that citizens in that country have had to give up some of their rights and subsume themselves to the will of the State, but what of the good old Jamaican adage which states that “if yuh want good then yuh nose haffi run”?

Jamaica, on its current path, no matter which party is in power, will take decades before it can enjoy unbridled prosperity. The pervasive spectre of crime and violence, the over trillion-dollar debt burden, a relatively unskilled and undisciplined labour force, environmental degradation, and a political system steeped in the Westminster tradition, which has proven to be not the best model for a developing country such as ours, among other anomalies, drawbacks and setbacks, strongly suggest that Vision 2030 may well become an elusive dream.

Against this background, the question may well be asked, would a Lee Kuan Yew-type leader be the best thing for Jamaica, land we love? Michael Manley’s idealism still has relevance today, notwithstanding the late Singapore prime minister’s dismissal of his chasing windmills akin to a Don Quixote. But what is needed is an underpinning that is steeped in pragmatism, with a heavy dose of patriotism. For too long populism, corruption, indiscipline, and illiteracy have dogged our way to progress. The unfair distribution of wealth and a justice system that reflects a Jamaica still steeped in classism and self-doubt have robbed us of the will to make that quantum leap. Is there a Lee Kuan Yew out there somewhere waiting in the wings? Food for thought.

Lloyd B Smith is a member of parliament and the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. The views expressed are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the People’s National Party or the Government of Jamaica.

lbsmith4@gmail.com