A GUY'S VIEW: Economic colonialism and oppressive taxation
THE old bogeyman dressed up in new clothes has raised his head again, at least in the view of some international commentators and regional watchers. The subject of colonialism and neo-colonialism is not new to the region, but that controller may now be wearing a different dress – economic control by huge, sometimes multinational companies, with the blessing of their governments.
It was noticeable that the United States Congress paid unaccustomed attention to the oil resources of Guyana in recent times. Renay Sambach, writing for Kaieteur News, noted that, “While discussing several critical issues that currently have severe impact on Caribbean countries, Guyana’s oil and gas sector was given priority by the United States of America (USA) Congress during the House of Foreign Affairs Committee briefing.” This briefing took place on Wednesday, June 23.
Some persons are already voicing the importance of Guyana oil to replace Venezuela oil. For the US, Guyana would be a more reliable source of oil than Venezuela, so we should expect a deepening of relations with Guyana.
Congress has suddenly discovered that the people of Guyana should benefit from their newly found oil riches. This would be a first. In no other case has the people of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries benefited fairly from the exploitation of their resources. It is not surprising, therefore, that there has been no discussion on whether or how Congress will ensure this general benefit or will guarantee that ExxonMobil gives Guyana a fair deal for its oil.
Our region has never been able to manage its resources for the benefit of all of our people. This malpractice has its genesis in our history, for those who colonised the region never intended these territories to be anything more than a source of raw resources for the development of industry abroad. It was said that not even a nail should be made here. Those who have succeeded them have not changed the status quo. Our leaders have always kept an elite class cushioned and protected from the shocks that keep the rest of the community poor or comfortable with a borrowed living.
Generally unable to provide a good living for the majority of the people with what we have, foreign investment – direct or indirect – has been seen as our means of survival. Without it, many of our economies would perish, but this is only true because of the path of development that has been chosen for us.
The lack of economic opportunity has created an unhealthy dependence on Government. This is a disastrous state for a capitalist country to navigate, but it is the world our leaders have created for us. And the continuous long talk masks the fact that our countries are going nowhere.
One important consequence of this underdevelopment is a heavy burden of taxation on the working class. The ugly situation of exempting those most able to pay has been dictated to us and the people believe that they have no choice but to bow, grumble and pay. But after all, we can justify it to the unsuspecting because right-wing governments in first world capitalist countries follow the same path of economic development.
When a government burdens the people with taxes, it takes money out of circulation and slows down economic activity. Relieving the rich of taxes makes them richer, but somebody has to pay. Guess who?
Regional governments are now discussing reducing travel taxes. I believe Antigua and Barbuda has taken the lead and slashed that tax in half. It has suddenly dawned on them that they have destroyed regional travel by taxation. But scholarship has not brought them to this realisation. COVID-19 has. But any relief may be short-lived. When outside travel brings people back to the region, it may all be reversed.
We need to see the re-lationship between economic colonialism and the maintenance of colonial-like control in all of these countries. Black faces should not fool us into believing that governance is in the interest of the majority of the people. And the way some of our leaders are following the path that has been set out for them, it probably never will.
Let us face it: almost all of these countries have gone through Independence, having been given a flag and an anthem. Some have gone through a second step – Republicanism. And yet the colonial structures left in place have not changed. Name changes mean nothing if the lives of people remain the same. A rose by any other name is just as sweet. So too is bad governance by any name you choose to call it.
The Passing Parade
Last week I learnt of the death of former police officer Lionel “Bill” Johnson. Bill was a larger-than-life figure in his day as an investigator. He led by example and imbued confidence in those with whom he interacted.
Like all of those who served in his calling, his origins were humble, but that never characterised his confidence or demeanour. He did not only take what the country had to offer: he gave. Barbados is a better place for his life and service to his country. May he rest in peace.