Several studies have shown that most people are wired to be optimistic and forward-looking, and to see the glass as being, at least, half full. One study by Michigan State University (MSU) found that generally, our optimism rises throughout young adulthood and seems to steadily plateau, and then decline as we get older.
Sadly, this finding does not hold true for the mentally ill, for whom the glass is often empty. Indeed, even those who are not mentally ill, can point to some of its causes—such as exposure to discrimination and violence, persistent poverty, hunger, homelessness, depression, intense stress, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the loss of a loved one—among the reasons for seeing the glass as empty. Long-term exposure to negative news stories can steal one’s joy and lead to anxiety and depression; as can living in a crime-effected community.
Like many readers, I followed the Conventions of the rival political parties in the USA. The joyful and optimistic mood at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), held in Chicago, last week, contrasted sharply with the apocalyptic messaging at the Republican National Convention (RNC) held in Wisconsin, in mid-July. Evidently, the Democrats see their glass as half-full, while Republicans see theirs as empty. Four years earlier, the perspectives were reversed. Political pundits see this practice of selective optimism or pessimism as “par for the politics course” and as a natural and essential component of a Party’s strategy to convince an electorate, that only it can bring about the desired change, whether from bad to good, or from good to better. As far as the GOP is concerned, only it has the license to Make America Great Again!
It is highly unlikely politics will ever reach the stage where an opposition party and/or its supporters will “big up” a sitting government, even for its most successful policy or programme, as doing so would suggest there is some water in the glass. The leadership and supporters of sitting governments should expect this. However, insofar as Saint Lucia is concerned, I lament the dampening effect that this culture of selective optimism or pessimism can have on the psyche (mental health) of independent-minded, patriotic Saint Lucians, who care less about the politics and more about the progress of our country. When viewed as a continuum, our progress, since Adult Suffrage and the advent of Representative Government has been significant. However, we are unlikely to appreciate this fact if we persist with a politically inspired, compartmentalization of our country’s progress.
The notion that a country progresses only when one’s Party is/was in power is difficult to defend. Naturally, certain governments will perform much better than others, in areas that matter most to the people. However, complicating matters is the fact that people have differing priorities. For example: the “Religious Right” in the USA has a laser focus on anti-abortion policies; the unemployed and retired are mainly concerned about the performance of the economy and the stock market in which pensions are invested; environmentalists are worried about the existential threat posed by Climate Change; and “fiscal hawks” have tended to be more concerned about the national debt, when their Party is NOT in power. The preoccupations of Saint Lucians are much narrower. They include jobs, the cost of living, and personal and national security.
Often missing from discussions of a government’s performance is a realistic appreciation of the things that a government can and cannot do. Like all law-abiding Saint Lucians, I get depressed whenever a homicide occurs. However, I have long accepted that it is impossible for the police to stop a murder before it happens, if they have no prior knowledge of the important details. Also, I appreciate that it would be difficult for the police to solve murders if there are no witnesses, or if witnesses remain silent. Whenever I visit the supermarket, I despairingly wonder how the average shopper copes with the high cost of food and household items. However, I appreciate that it is difficult for a government to effectively control food prices, when it has no control over shipping costs and supply chains. Of course, this does not absolve the government of its responsibility to continually search for creative and practical solutions to these challenges. In a progressive society, these examples of the limitations of government would prompt the search for other metrics to fairly assess a government’s performance. One would think all political parties would be keen to join in this search. Sadly, this has not happened, and so our people do not fully appreciate the challenges of effecting meaningful change in small, open, and vulnerable countries like ours.
Notwithstanding these two areas of abiding concern, I see Saint Lucia’s glass as being at least half full. I commend the government for among other things: ending Saint Lucia’s shameful loitering on the steps of the Privy Council and embracing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Saint Lucia’s final Appelate Court; strengthening the capacity of our police; introducing a livable, minimum wage; providing unprecedented support for youth entrepreneurial development; taking purposeful steps to commission the St. Jude Hospital at its original site and returning the George Odlum Stadium to its original, intended purpose; creating a propitious environment for increased foreign and local investment; committing to converting select, secondary schools into technical and vocational training schools; seeding the establishment of a semiprofessional football league; and taking concrete steps to protect the World Heritage Site status of the Pitons.
Driven by my belief that “patriotism is about supporting one’s country all the time and one’s government when it deserves it,” I shall continue to use this column to share constructive critiques of the performance of all governments. I am encouraged that this motive is well appreciated by Prime Minister Pierre and some of his ministers with whom I regularly share my concerns and recommendations, directly and through this medium. I pray for continued health and strength to do so.