Guyana was already deeply divided when it became independent under a ‘state of emergency’ – an impediment to its quest to foster a spirit of nationalism. The struggle to eradicate the deprivation and domination of colonialism was delayed by thirteen years of British military operations to prevent civil violence and preserve public order.
The People’s Progressive Party’s terrorist campaign – which it called the Hurricane of Protest – deeply divided the population and all but smothered the people’s enthusiasm for nationhood and zeal for independence. Worse, the PPP’s explicit policy of boycotting Independence celebrations resulted in the most sacred symbols of nationhood being disdained and disparaged from the outset. The inspirational insignia and emblematic icons – the national anthem; coat of arms depicting the animal, bird and flower; festival; flag; monuments; motto and patriotic songs – were not widely respected by that Party’s devotees.
Former President David Granger, speaking on the programme – The Public Interest – pointed out that nationalism is an ideology which, unlike ‘patriotism’, is based on policies, principles and programmes, not merely on devotion and emotion. Nationalism holds that the nation is the only rightful source of political power, that it is the supreme basis for a polity and that the nation should govern itself without foreign control and interference.
The idea of nationalism emphasises allegiance to the ‘nation’ (or nation-state) and affirms that such obligations should outweigh other personal or group interests such as race, religion or region of residence. Nationalism presupposes the existence of a community based on ‘constitutional’ citizenship; a common economy and ownership and exploitation of resources; a common history and (for the most part) language; a common respect for the executive, parliament and judiciary; a common acceptance of the need for integration and a common homeland within which mobility of citizens is assured, among other factors.
The former president explained that nationalism should not be presumed to be a panacea for progress., ‘Nationhood’, similarly, is not equivalent to statehood. Both in ‘new’ post-colonial (eg, British, Dutch, French and Portuguese) states and in ‘old’ post-imperial countries (eg, Austro-Hungarian, German, Ottoman and Russian Empires), groups which opposed the new states fought to secede from larger polities even after they gained Independence. Guyana was not immune to the menace to its nascent nationhood.
The PPP’s one-year ‘Hurricane of Protest was a ‘terrorist campaign’ which, historically, degenerated into the most divisive and destructive phase of social and political relations, ever. The PPP actually threatened the British Government to ‘partition’ the colony and instructed its supporters to boycott the birth of the nation stating ‘Independence, yes, celebration, no”. The United Force Party, also, instigated an armed rebellion in the country’s largest district – Rupununi – in January 1969, thirty-one months after Independence.
Mr. Granger is of the view that nationalism can be strengthened by a shared identity built on common elements of history and territory; social cohesion to repair past damage and to restore trust among citizens which will enable them to co-exist and to cooperate with each other and by a common commitment to human development by eliminating extreme poverty, eradicating the worst forms of inequality, ensuring equal access to education for everyone and enabling greater participation in political decision-making.
The former president expressed the opinion that the spirit of nationalism can become the basis for social cohesion. Guyana’s evolution as a stable nation, fifty-nine years after legal Independence, is an unfinished ‘work in progress’. Responsible policymakers would do well to do more to promote a positive spirit of nationalism by enforcing compliance with the law and enhancing social cohesion to ensure a good life for everyone.
