The Solution through the Resurgence of Socialism?

The crumbling of the current economic, social and political systems around the world is inevitable, with the advent of a disease that has afflicted more than two million people as at date.  As a matter of fact, most economists have predicted a high probability of deflation, while the International Labour Organization (ILO) fears that the impact of the new coronavirus could cause around 195 million job losses worldwide, with cutbacks of approximately 200 million full-time workers within the next three months.  The economic effects and backlashes are already being felt in Mauritius – as many companies have laid off their employees and most self-employed are now dependent on financial schemes provided by the Government. 

The recent collapse of Air Mauritius, the silence of Minister Ivan Collendavelloo on the utility bills to be settled by all Mauritians at the end of the lockdown, the increasing number of people falling into the poverty trap, the lack of mass testing before exiting the confinement period, and the planning of the education system in light of the new threats posed by the virus, have become matters of serious concern while we are all relying on a single channel of communication and decision-making from the Government.  We are at the mercy of those who were elected in the last general elections or who happen to be there with only 37% of votes. For the purpose of rather suggesting a solution to the current predicament, I will refrain from going into the political abyss of criticism, but it is now clear that a new world system is paving its way and Mauritius has to keep pace with it.

Capitalism can no more contribute to uplift society.  Sustainable governance, which generates an inclusive society based on the common uplifting, through principles of social and economic justice, can now only be achieved through socialism.  However, socialism in its original form may not be appropriate anymore.  If we go by the existing methods, we will have to encourage statism, a concept which has failed miserably as much in the East as in the West. 

The ideologies of the Mauritius Labour Party are founded on the socialist principles and this has fostered representative democracy through universal suffrage, the creation of the welfare state and workers’ rights, just to name a few.  However, the metamorphosis of the Mauritian society in light of new norms and customs in an increasingly complex and changing world, now compels us to rethink the new mechanisms and safeguards of a jeopardised democracy:

• Can we still trust a Government which stays mute when a citizen is arrested for having posted a meme on social media?
• Are we supposed to allow them to nominate and maintain people who in turn proved to be incapable of making appropriate decisions thereby causing the downfall of companies like Air Mauritius and the State Bank of Mauritius?
• Is it acceptable in a democracy to produce more poor and vulnerable people while favouring the extension of the Metro Express which involves recruiting and remunerating cheap labour coming from abroad? 
• Most importantly, what happens today when the Government elected to represent us makes wrong decisions? Are they accountable to us? How?

The only recourse left is to wait till the end of their mandate to be able to elect a new regime – or is it the only solution?

The disadvantages of statism can be felt now more than ever because of the pandemic. There is an urgency to meet the needs of the people and to act in the common good and benefit. And acting for the collective welfare means having them on board.  Thus, we should move from a statist form of socialism to citizenship socialist principle.

The aim is to uphold democracy and the rule of law and the means to do so involves a democratization and decentralization of the state. Civil society will therefore be empowered, and active citizens will then play a more participative role in the decision-making process.  For instance, before the deconfinement, all stakeholders (not only the concerned ministry and parastatal bodies) must be allowed to present a well thought out plan concerning the opening of schools. 

Same goes for the economy and for the health department. This contributes to a more egalitarian society in which people are put first.  It is also the best way to keep the Government accountable towards the people as they are deprived from the right to make all decisions and communicate these to us on the national television without a right to question of appeal. 

Another tenet of socialism is social and economic justice, which includes the equitable distribution of goods, opportunities and rights. The monthly stipend Rs 2,550 is not enough for a family to survive for a period of one month while others are earning more.  We are made to contribute Rs 4 per litre of fuel in the National Solidarity Fund, but we are not informed on how the money is used. This asset should have been put to better use by boosting the minimum stipend to a more sustainable figure so as to supply those in need with enough comfort to spend the days, weeks and months in confinement. Some people are allowed to go out and work despite the lockdown while others (who are not part of the essential services) are prohibited from even circulating, thus, forced into poverty.  Socialism must find its way back to our democracy if we want to survive this pandemic.  Getting out of the mindset of “laisser-faire” is conducive to thinking out of the box.  The power should belong to the people and this is the only way to rise together as one people, as one nation.