Political Theory

I found a book a while back entitled "The Malay Dilemma" it is a memoir by Mahathir, a past Prime Minister of Malaysia (another former British Colony) and after opening and reading a bit I was immediately struck by how much of the theory resonated with my own experience and understanding of what was happening in Belize at di time. I copied down this passage what I found insightful:

Mahathir writes: "Membership of the cabinet is treated as a reward for loyalty to party chiefs and acceptability to the Prime Minister. Once appointed, no amount of dereliction of duty could affect the position of a minister. On the other hand, even if the minister performed well, failure to remain on good terms with the prime minister meant removal from the ministry."

this all sounds eerily familiar and recent.

-->The result is that mediocre men are left to run the country.
hmmmm.
The whole nation gave up hope that the government would ever be made up of the truly able. The people became cynical and respect for Ministers was minimal. Feeling pervaded supporters AND opposition.

this is a consequence that led to the downfall of the PUP—their own supporters lost respect for them.

other points:
-->Governments of mediocre people bereft of ideas
·unable to understand the limits of authority
·unable to rule
·appointment of commissions used to counter criticism
·report of commissions composed of able public figures takes time.
·delay in interpretation and implementation
·the work of commissions a futile exercise and waste of public money + time.
I would invite some criticisms of how similar this situation is to the circumstances of Merlene Bailey-Martinez's Report and Inquiry?

Handouts discriminating in favour of known party supporters or strongholds
·blatant partiality evokes bitter resentment against gov. + ensures those opposed to government remain permanently so.
this is a real problem in Belize: the polarisation. Red and Blue. this is the reason for die-hard supporters. Die-hard supporters are generally not helpful in any debate.

glorying in its massive strength, became contemptuous of criticisms directed at it either by the opposition or its own supporters.

Seems the truths of particular situations are highly translatable! I remember commissions and reports during the last administration that drew public attention but were cast aside, impotent.