A bubbling cauldron
Ever so steadily – and insidiously – there is developing in our country a tale of two societies: one super-rich and the other desperately struggling to keep their heads above the water of survival. And like its Dickensian forerunner it is a tale of the best of times (the rich) and the worst of times (the poor). We have to wonder therefore, if like the latter tale, its dénouement will not be one of upheaval and revolution.
After the socialist economic experimentation of the seventies and eighties, its egalitarian ethos had been achieved: we were all more or less equally down and out. In our slow climb out of those doldrums, the free-wheeling, anything-goes, free-market of the neo-liberals – the antithesis of the socialist model – became the vehicle of our liberation. Practically all our leaders went along. Fuelled by the profits of greed, which was now “good”; the growth of the economy was supposed to “raise all ships”. Three decades along, we can see that most of the ships, i.e. the poor, have remained moribund.
Back in the 18th century, Rousseau, who can be called the theorist of the French Revolution that Dickens was to fictionalise, made a distinction between the sentiments of “amour de soi” and “amour propre” that was a crucial feature that sparked the revolution. Amour de soi was the striking of a healthy equilibrium between concerns for one’s own well-being; one’s self worth; one’s self regard and the concern and empathy that was owed and felt towards the less fortunate in the society. Amour propre, on the other hand, was the transformation of the healthy regard for one’s self worth into a malignant narcissism fuelled by the acquisition of property and the greed and envy that it engendered.
And this is where we have evidently arrived at in Guyana: a tint, uncaring elite that is unbelievably rich and living in a luxurious style that can only be described as “obscene”, generating powerful waves of envy in the rest of society that can only be described as an underclass.
Since we are not fortunate enough to have opinion polls to measure the orientation of our citizenry to current issues, we can guess at the level of envy towards the elite by the unbridled Schadenfreude in the blogs that comment on their doings.
Envy has been described as having a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess that same advantage. To outline the effects of envy would be to obtain a very good snapshot of the cauldron of emotions boiling in Guyana today.
The most common is to directly attack the accepted cause of the frustration – the rich that are believed to have secured their wealth through nefarious and unfair methods and schemes.
We in Guyana have had several instances when our urban sans-culotte rose against the perceived “haves” of their times.
During the era of extreme disparities of wealth and status, the attacks from the disenchanted of the middle strata would be strident denunciations by a few that have joined the poor in their barricades.
Then there will be those that would seek to imitate the lifestyle of “the rich and famous” by joining them. Since there is no value to a club that would have everyone as a member, it is not easy at all to become one of the elite. Most aspirants start by becoming obsequious hangers-on and yes-men that are willing to become fronts to the ongoing scams. Others delve directly into a get-rich life of crime and corruption and celebrity – and enter the elite laterally.
But most corrosive is the drive of some – quite a large group in Guyana – to idealize the elite and confer onto them almost divine qualities. They will fawn over the rich and famous and take it as a blessing if the latter are to condescend to be in their midst. One is exposed to this phenomenon at most public events. We hope the cauldron of envy doesn’t bubble over too violently.
Comments
the cycle of human envy is evident in many countries…..the article says it all – yet the question…will the world’s richest 7% have to endure a revolution from the remaining 93% of the world’s human population?..They might..in order for the 47% of the poorest to eat and drink, as do the other 46% who at least have food on their table. Howevr, both suffer the indignity of those avaricious 7% .who want to control……a wonderfully explicit article….. thank you.
A tale that’s repeated the world over.
Oh Yes! Very explicit and very true. We can decide as a people-Guyanese, that is, if this is what we want. If we want true equity, then the vision for Guyana must be worked on. Ordinary people, who are educated enough, must begin a national conversation on who we are and where we want to be in the next 20 years. We must clearly articulate who an ideal Guyanese citizen is and work on that. I am an educator for over 30 years and counselling students now is vastly different from 10 years ago. Children face the dilemma of Daddy who is “hiding”
because of shady business dealings and Mum who moved out is now co-habiting with a female “auntie”. A lot of this stems from the socio-economic rut that the 93% have found ourselves in. It is is different , but must be addressed and not ignored or hid under the rug. If it continues unabated, we will ultimately plunge to a cesspool of destruction, since the 93% will eventually become oh so desperate that the society becomes overwhelmed by anarchy
“Envy has been described as having a painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess that same advantage.”
This is a disingenuous definition of envy as it implies that the advantages enjoyed by the wealthy is hard earned and thus well deserved when, in fact, the wealth enjoyed by these elites are a result of exploitative practices and rules sanctioned by government policies and established laws that are in place to benefit these elites at the expense of the underclass.
NO! We are not envious! WE SIMPLY WANT WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS! WHAT BELONGS TO US BECAUSE WE WORKED AND EARNED IT WITH BLOOD, SWEAT, TEARS, SACRIFICES, TAXES, FEES, DUES AND ALL THE OTHER WORDS USED TO TAKE BACK WHAT WE RIGHTFULLY EARNED AND DESERVE TO KEEP AND SPEND AT OUR DISCRETION!!
It is very difficult for many people to accept truth, especially when it flies in the face of one’s original perception of events. The circumstance of Guyana’s social and economic distress, is no exception. In fact, Guyana has no national identity, that is free of political partisanship; If it does could someone describe it to me?
The only route to take in order to solve this dilemma, is the “Dialogue” Of course this raises the question, between, and among, whom? People usually bring their own experiences into any discussion they might have with others, and when this discussion is on social and political topics, their views will be tinged severely, by those of the political parties they subscribe to. Thus, it pains me to suggest that the middle-aged and older folks, must of necessity be left out of any dialogue, for there to be any semblance of a meaningful result. This may sound facetious, but believe me it’s the only way to go.
The dialogue must then take place among the young adult and school-age populations. Let us not forget that the older generations referred to, were once members of the school-age and younger populations, and there was enough time for “ill spirited” and ill “willed” ideas to be instilled into their psyche. Let us not mask the fact that Guyana has lost three to four generations to this unwarranted scourge, which is now coming home to roost. I mentioned these facts in a book that I penned twelve years ago, entitled “Guyana at the Millennium Crossroads; A Psycho-Social Perspective.” I am even more convinced, that had copies of its texts been placed in Guyana’s schools, for discursive purposes, its benefits would have been surfacing today. OOPS; just hear the old guard cry; “he’s trying to sell books” The fact is, I am willing to send Guyana’s Education Department with proof of identity, a few, free of cost, for school distribution.
Unfortunately, I could find no reviews of your book to get an idea of what you suggest. Obviously Guyana has no national identity in the way that Brazilians or Jamaicans do. For that very reason, with all the acculturation into distinct ethnic groups it is unlikely that the young will think any differently in the short term from their forebears. It is not really in the interests of the political parties to have them thinking differently either.
Thinker;
You are quite correct; no published reviews of the book would be found. I made a few attempts to have it reviewed by certain reviewers associated with a couple of current abbreviated Caribbean newspapers, but their promises never materialized. I would prefer, at this point in time just to conjure up in my mind’s eye the reasons for this, as opposed to thinking out loud about same.
On the other hand, those who have managed to read the book, offered their own assessment of it. These assessments can be had in the preamble of the book, offered by “Guyana Bookstores” run by Wayne Moses of Guyana, on the internet, from where it can be purchased.
Incidentally, a friend of mine had purchased a few copies, and forwarded them to people of representative political offices in Guyana, but not one of them had the decency to acknowledge its receipt. At the same time, I had forwarded a copy to an ex- President of the world’s most powerful nation, and he took the time in his own handwriting, {the personal touch perhaps}, to thank me for it, and to extend his personal best wishes. Now who the hell are the political leaders of Guyana that they are so busy, that they can’t even send out a simple acknowledgement?
You are also correct in your observation that it is unlikely that the young would think any differently, in the short term from their forebears, still wearing their political umbilical cords. But one must look ahead to the long term with patience.
As far as a brief heads-up on the book, just let me say that it touches on the understanding of attitudes, stereotypes. and prejudices, as they relate to the Guyana social situation; a diagnosis in the light of diversity; building a national identity; and a prognosis. I firmly believe that a solid discussion of these topical areas, in classrooms and elsewhere, will succeed in creating a completely different perspective in time, and a renewed, integrated, and successful Guyana. I think it’s time; don’t you?
Malcolm, after reading your comment, I realized that some years ago I bought a copy of your book from Wayne Moses’ online bookstore. On flipping through my copy now, I’ve noticed that I highlighted several sections that had caught my attention.
I agree with you that it’s important to understand the attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices influencing Guyana’s social situation. I’m no expert at writing book reviews, but I will re-read your book and feature my comments on a future Guyana blog post.