Constitution Reform: NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE POLITICAL SYSTEM TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO GOVERN THEMSELVES

Constitution Reform:
NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE POLITICAL SYSTEM TO
ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO GOVERN THEMSELVES
 
In the context of the deepening political crisis, a number of groups and individuals have been calling for reform of the Constitution.
 For some, such reform is seen as a solution that will prevent the existing stalemate from occurring in the future. Others see reform in terms of revamping the political superstructure while having nothing to say about affecting the underlying class relations.
 One thing is certain; reform of the Constitution cannot be an end in itself.
 
NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE EXISTING POLITICAL SYSTEM 

The political system in Trinidad and Tobago as described in the constitution is based on and reflects the existing class division in society.
This system of ‘representative democracy’ presents political parties created and funded by the most powerful sections of the oligarchy of finance capitalists and monopolies (the 1%) as the only “legitimate” political parties.
These parties of the rich, by the rich and for the rich are connected in the prevailing propaganda with ruling and governance. On the basis of the money and connections with the most powerful of the moneyed and propertied classes any of these parties in power establishes a Cabinet, which becomes the unchallenged executive power.
 There is no place in this ‘representative democracy’ for the notion of the people governing themselves, being empowered to set the agenda and exercise control over their lives and the future of society.
 Those who represent the oligarchy, which has itself snatched the wealth and power of the society to their monopolies and finance houses, also have taken sovereignty away from the people.
 Any fundamental change in the Constitution must, of necessity, address changing those existing relations at the base of society that are reflected in the superstructure of the political institutions.
 New relationship of ownership and control are needed.
 
DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL 

The people cannot exercise their sovereignty and govern themselves so long as the elected subordinate the electors to themselves rather than the electors exercising control over them.
The dictatorship of the Cabinet must be ended.
 A new and modern constitution must enshrine that all elected representatives and institutions are subordinate to the electorate.
 The electors must no longer be reduced to voting cattle to be rustled into a booth every five or whenever to put parties in power that do not represent their interests.
 The constitution must enshrine the following rights:

• The right to an Informed Vote
• The right of Recall
• The right as citizens to Initiate Legislation.

 A system must be designed to ensure that under guarantee of such rights No Election Without Selection by the Electors becomes a fundamental principle. Candidates must be selected by the Electors, not parties or screening committees.
 These measures will all allow the majority of the society to exercise sovereignty, to participate directly in governing themselves and end the domination of political parties of the rich in the political system.
 
OTHER FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS 

No reform of the constitution can be carried out without also addressing some other fundamental questions facing the society.
The forced union of Tobago and Trinidad under colonial rule in 1889 and continued under the conditions of Independence must be brought to an end.
 The right to self-determination, including the right to secession must be established for the people of both islands as the basis of a new free and equal union between the people.
 The hereditary and other rights of the First Peoples – the Caribs and their descendants must be recognised and their place in society ensured.
 The Rights of all Citizens on the basis of their being human and being members of society as individuals and collectives within the society must also be guaranteed.
 The present anti-social offensive is accompanied by propaganda that people must become ‘independent’ of the state (meaning of the society) and look after themselves.
 This denial of social being is presented as ‘empowerment’ so that the most powerful in society can continue to take for themselves the vast majority of the wealth created by others.
 The society, to which all are born, and the governments which represent the society must have a responsibility to provide people with the highest possible standard of living and organise to meet the ever-increasing needs of the people for health care, education, culture and other necessities of life.
 
BUILD THE MOVEMENT FOR EMPOWERMENT OF THE PEOPLE 

​In the struggle for constitutional reform, there are forces, which want to limit the people to fighting for short-term changes, which seek to ‘get us out of the present mess’ and protect the existing conditions.
 While some of the demands being advanced may further expose the existing situation and assist in drawing conclusions about the necessity for change, there is need to keep an eye on the need for fundamental change.
 In order to bring about such changes to both society and the constitution, the workers, small farmers, women, youth, people in their communities and various collectives must organise themselves.
In order to prepare themselves to govern, the people must organise and actually begin to set their own agenda, including the agenda for the renewal of the society and its political process.
In the factories, offices, farming communities, schools and universities, in the communities, villages and everywhere that people share common interests as a collective, people must begin to organise themselves as Committees for Empowerment of the People.
Such Committees must initiate discussion and action in respect of demands for the fundamental reform of the constitution and the economic base on which it rests and which it reflects.
Such is the task of the moment.
FIGHT FOR DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL OF SOCIETY!
BUILD THE COMMITTEES FOR EMPOWERMENT OF THE PEOPLE!