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Presentation by: Jamie-Ann Chevannes
National Integrity Action
June 28, 2014

What is Democracy?
 The concept of democracy is derived from the Greek
words “demos” and “kratia”.
 Demos meaning “the people”.
 Kratia meaning “to rule”.
 So a very simple definition or way to think of
democracy then is “people rule”.
 a system of government by the whole population or all
the eligible members of a state, typically through
elected representatives

Democracy
Regular, free and fair electionsof
representatives, which is open to all citizens
Subjectsgovernment to the rule of law and
ensures that all citizens receive equal
protection under the law
Citizens not only have rights but they have a
responsibilityto participate in the political system that ,
in turn should protect their rightsand freedoms
Majority rule, coupledwith individualand
minority rights. Respects the will of the
majoritybut protects the fundamental rightsof
the individualand minorities
Principles/Indicators of a Healthy
Democracy

Pitfalls of the Democratic Process
in Jamaica
 The democratic process in Jamaica is thwarted in
many ways, such as:
a) Citizens not fully aware of their rights and individual
responsibility, leading to general apathy towards the
governance process
b) Interest of a few as opposed to that of the majority of
citizens being served, which is reflected in the
development of legislation and policies
c) Government and other high ranking public officials,
seemingly are not subject to the laws of the land

In your Opinion does Jamaica’s
Democracy Adhere to the Basic
Principles
 Assessment:
1. Do you consider elections to be ‘free and fair’?
2. When an election occurs do citizens turn out in their
numbers to participate in the process?
3. Are those in government held to the rule of law of
the land?
4. Do you believe that your rights and freedoms as an
individual are protected?

Pitfalls of the Democratic Process
in Jamaica
With these pitfalls becoming more pervasive in our
system of governance, Jamaica has now to deal with the
major issue of
CORRUPTION!!!

What is Corruption?
 Transparency International defines corruption as the
ABUSE OF ENTRUSTED POWER FOR
PRIVATE GAIN”.
 clip from “Cost of Corruption” with Mutabarukka – an illustration

Types of Corruption
Corruption
Petty Corruption
Bribery Nepotism
Grand Corruption
Abuse of
Discretion/
Kickbacks
Tax Evasion

Current Attitudes towards
Corruption
 Corrupt behaviour has become so common place that
it has now become a norm in the way we carry out
much of our activities.
 Corrupt behaviour seemingly always has a justification
due to:
a) Needs
b) Affordability
c) Mobility – “ I scratch your back, you scratch mine”
mentality

Current Attitudes towards
Corruption
 Survey done last year found that 74% of Jamaicans,
that is 7 in every 10 person, felt that our
parliamentarians, the leaders of our country are
corrupt.
 Almost half our population, 48% and 46% felt that the
judiciary and our public servants, people staffing our
courts and public offices like the tax office, are corrupt

Effect of Corruption in Jamaica
Jamaica’s National Security Policy 2013
(available in the Cabinet Office Website)
identifies amongst the “high impact,
high probability, Tier 1 clear and
present dangers [to Jamaica] …
corruption of elected and public
officials”

Effect of Corruption in Jamaica
1. Deterioration of social institutions – schools
(primary to university), hospitals, police force, fire
brigade
2. Breakdown of the physical infrastructure – no money
for roads, expansion of water supply
3. Loss of investment, local and foreign, in the country
which means less opportunity for young individuals.
4. Growing disparity in wealth and opportunities
among different classes of people
5. Lack of accountability and transparency by the
elected government

Doing Politics Differently:
Improving Jamaica’s Democratic
Governance Process by
Implementing Anti-Corruption
Measures leading to greater
Transparency and Accountability

Combatting Corruption in Jamaica
 Means advocating for changes at the highest level,
which includes :
a) New legislation to strengthen transparency and
accountability in government
b) For enforcement of the laws against those that are
corrupt
c) The strengthening of anti-corruption agencies
allowing them to function more effectively

Combatting Corruption in Jamaica
 Means each of us taking an individual responsibility to
exercise our franchise and letting your opinion be
heard by :
a) voting,
b) calling in to talk shows,
c) writing letters for publication in newspapers and
other forms of print
d) starting conversation in your own space – home,
church, school, place of work etc

Doing Politics Differently: Results
Less Corruption = More Investment =
More Jobs

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28-06-2014 Presentation at FES

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28-06-2014 Presentation at FES