The theme for this year’s independence anniversary celebrations, ‘Peyi Nou, Kado Nous,’ which translates to ‘Our Country, Our Gift,’ speaks to our rights, roles, and responsibilities as good citizens. Congratulations to ‘we the people’ of the Commonwealth of Dominica on our 46th anniversary of independence. We are just four years away from celebrating our 50th anniversary—a remarkable half-century of independence. This analysis aims to examine our journey toward independence as a people and a sovereign state.
When we gained independence from Britain on November 3, 1978, we achieved the freedom to make laws and decisions without being governed or controlled by another country, organization, or foreign private interests. The establishment of our own parliamentary sovereignty in Dominica represents the supreme legal authority in the Commonwealth of Dominica, which can create or end laws. Coupled with judicial independence—the concept that the judiciary should remain separate and impartial from the other branches of government—this ensures the integrity of the legal system is preserved. These are important concepts for the idea of separation of powers in a truly democratic parliamentary democracy.
The fundamental principles of an independent democratic sovereign state include: empowering the people to exercise political control; limiting the power of the head of state; separation of powers between governmental entities; protection of natural rights and civil liberties; and majority rule coupled with individual and minority rights. The word “democracy” literally means “rule by the people,” allowing citizens to exercise political control over the form and functions of their government. Derived from the ancient Greek words dēmos (‘people’) and kratos (‘rule’), it is a system of government in which state power is vested in the people, the general population of the nation-state. Citizenship, therefore, comes with rights, responsibilities, and obligations to protect and maintain democracy.
According to Khan Academy, “Citizenship comes with responsibilities, not just rights. Key responsibilities include voting, staying informed, voicing concerns, volunteering, and respecting others’ rights and beliefs.” These actions make our independence meaningful and participatory while deepening democratic norms. “Obligations are those activities that citizens must do, with legal repercussions. But responsibilities are activities that citizens should do to be good and productive members of society.”
In the broader context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights, it is stated: “Stressing that all members of the international community shall fulfill, jointly and separately, their solemn obligation to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any kind, including distinctions based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status, and reaffirming the particular importance of achieving international cooperation to fulfill this obligation according to the Charter.” These are ingredients for an all-inclusive and progressive society.
Therefore, strengthening the independence of our judiciary while increasing transparency and equality under the law should not be taken for granted. To quote the aphorism established by Lord Hewart, the then Lord Chief Justice of England: “It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” This demands a constant democratic revitalization: reviewing the status quo, reforming obsolete structures and processes, resetting outdated methodologies, changing mindsets, and ushering in a paradigm shift.
Realizing “the hope and opportunities for a better future,” as espoused by the author Richard Youngs in part one of this analysis, makes our independence more dynamic and relevant rather than static and archaic. The questions raised and analyzed in part one sought to tease out answers for a more meaningful independence. The deepening of our democracy and democratic institutions through the renewal and modernization of democratic norms and practices, along with the primacy of the rule of law, is essential.
The principle or primacy of the rule of law (also referred to as ‘precedence’ or ‘supremacy’) is a legal principle that states that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by arbitrary decisions of individual government officials. The laws of the sovereign nation-state take precedence over all other conflicting laws. This brings us back to the conclusions posited by James and Smit in part one regarding the indispensable nature of the rule of law, upon which our independence, democracy, judiciary, polity, society, and economy are built.
The former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, defined the rule of law as: “…a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.”
It is evident from this discussion that if we are to heed Youngs’ “wake-up call for democracies to undertake serious efforts to renew and modernize democratic norms and practices,” we must do so to survive now and into the future. Whether in response to national challenges or global crises, good governance, an independent and transparent judiciary, and fair and impartial institutions and decision-making processes will be the linchpin that underpins and guarantees the future of our independence and democracy.
According to Youngs’ analysis, unless the necessary reform, renewal, and modernization take place, “democracies will not withstand the challenges of today and those of the future.” We must, therefore, be resilient not only in the face of climate change and in “building back better” after hurricanes but also in the constant deepening of our democratic norms, principles, practices, and standards. This includes cultivating an independent mindset in citizens and committing to protecting and guaranteeing our rule of law in its broadest and most inclusive context.
Forty-six years after November 3, 1978, the journey continues toward greater autonomy and self-reliance in the management and building of our country, the Commonwealth of Dominica—our economy, society, polity, and judiciary. Remember that leadership matters!
So, in the call of our national anthem:
Come ye forward, sons and daughters,
Of this gem beyond compare,
Strive for honour, sons and daughters,
Do the right, be firm, be fair,
Toil with hearts and hands and voices,
We must prosper! Sound the call,
In which everyone rejoices,
“All for Each and Each for All.”
Well that will fly over Dominicans head. Nobody really care about Dominica like that today. Everyone voting for their koolout nowadays. But nice piece of writing as usual, no wonder you international. Dominicans do not want a better Dominica they just want their handouts and sadly Labour does it best!
In our quest for a brighter better future we encounter the challenge of a “compromised individual independence” where citizens have to rely on the government for their literal survival. Therefore, their individual power, which is their vote, is swayed toward the selfish attractions of the government. This reality is more profound than we think. It exists in all countries and governments know that. Annan’s measure of equality requires that the national community be civilly aware of its rights, functions, responsibility and only then will government begin to respect all our roles in nation building as Patrick John penned in Hunter’s calyso. Great job Mr. La Touche.