Aspects of Joe Biden’s philosophy apply to Guyana
Dear Editor,
A new economic and political philosophy, distinct from the philosophy of the previous American administration, emerged in the election of the Biden administration.
Of interest to many viewers of American politics is President Biden’s personal philosophy and how it is reflected in his administration’s policies.
For your convenience, let’s call President Biden’s personal philosophy and his administration’s philosophy ‘Bidenism.’
The basics of President Biden’s personal philosophy are illustrated in his inauguration Address.
President Biden has pledged to be “President for the whole of America” including non-voters and Kamala Harris.
The US President has set himself a number of goals that constitute his core values that will determine the rules against which he will live.
By the way, he lived by those exact rules throughout his time as a senator.
Some of those rules on the basis of his philosophical attitude made him at odds with some of his countrymen from time to time.
In his opening address, President Biden said he was committed to “bringing together a deeply divided country.” He wants to unite the people and the nation.
In this regard, the US President declared that “unity, unity… the hardest to find in a democracy is his whole soul.”
While struggling to achieve what his ‘whole soul’ is in, dual support for his rescue package seems far away, but on a completely different front, House Democrats secured Republican support to establish an independent commission to investigate the Capitol. riots.
This was a clear indication that the Biden administration was, from a general point of view, committed to inclusion as a means to do so
strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
Furthermore, the Biden administration has expressed its commitment to racial justice; to listen to each other, hear each other and show respect for each other.
As far as international relations are concerned, the philosophy of the Biden administration is reflected in the statement that; ‘Diplomacy is back.’
That is, through its use of diplomacy, the Biden administration will review, repair, re-engage and seek changes as it relates to American foreign interests.
From the initial sound bites, Biden will be hard on China, Iran and Russia. But it is early days yet to predict how that hardness will manifest itself as the days, weeks, months, and years pass.
Four aspects of Bidenism apply to Guyana, democracy and the rule of law; racial justice; listen to each other, hear each other and show respect for each other; and, finally, national unity.
Besides that, there are lessons to be learned from the American parliamentary practice of reconciliation and bipartisanship.
From all indications, winds of change winds blowing across the Atlantic from America and Guyana, have converged leading to an update to support democracy and the rule of law. Neither Guyanese nor Americans are prepared to abandon such a fundamental pillar of good governance.
From the Guyanese side, the convergence of north / south winds of change is highlighted in the recently published ‘One Guyana Commission’.
According to the announcement, the Commission aims to:
* Foster a common nationality and love of country;
* Building a single Guyanese identity;
* End the split caused by race and politics;
* Listen to the free expressions of all voices.
These are high but achievable objectives. The initiative is timely and must be given the opportunity to succeed as it is a step in the right direction.
Just as voices have come out in support of the 2021 budget, similarly, voices should be heard expressing public support for the ‘One Guyana Commission.’
After all, isn’t politics a profound form of economics?
Truly,
Clement J. Rohee