Government and Governance: Fundamental Structures and Systems in the Caribbean and Commonwealth

Key Definitions and Concepts in Government and Governance

  • Governance: Refers to the specific way in which a country is controlled and managed.

  • Government: The organized group of people who officially run a country. Their responsibilities include:

    • Developing and implementing policy.

    • Creating laws.

    • Collecting taxes.

    • Providing public services.

  • Democracy: A form of government where the administration is elected by public vote. Key characteristics include:

    • Free and Fair Elections: These are constitutionally mandated to occur every 55 years.

    • The Electorate: Members of the public who are adult citizens over the age of 1818 and eligible to vote. This system is known as Adult Suffrage.

    • Political Parties: A range of parties can stand for election (more than one). Examples include the PNP and the JLP.

  • Autocracy: A system of government where power is held by one person (or a small group) with unlimited authority. The government is not elected by the people. Power may be seized through:

    • Military force.

    • Civil war.

    • Corrupt elections.

    • Organizational coups.

  • Dictatorship: A form of government where a single leader exercises absolute power. In such systems, there may be only one political party, and the opposition is often persecuted.

The Structure of Government: The Three Branches

The structure of government is built upon the principle of the Separation of Powers, divided into three distinct branches:

  • The Legislative Branch (The Legislature): Responsible for law-making and debate. It consists of:

    • Senate (Upper House).

    • House of Representatives (Lower House).

  • The Executive Branch: Responsible for implementing and enforcing laws. Key figures include:

    • Prime Minister.

    • Cabinet.

    • Ministers.

    • Attorney General.

    • Auditor General.

    • Civil Service.

  • The Judiciary Branch: Responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice. Its hierarchy includes:

    • Court of Appeal.

    • Supreme Court.

    • Resident Magistrate Court.

    • Special Court.

The Legislature: Functions and Composition

Primary Functions

  • Debate: To discuss important issues of concern and influence public opinion.

  • Law-making: To propose, debate, scrutinize, and decide whether proposed Bills should pass to become laws.

  • Legal Reform: To suggest improvements to existing laws and to propose the abolition of outdated or unnecessary laws.

  • Monitoring: To scrutinize and monitor the actions of the Executive branch, often through specialized committees.

  • Financial Oversight: To approve the government budget, including projected revenue from taxes and how that money is spent.

  • Treaties: To approve international treaties.

Structure and Composition

  • Bicameral System: A legislature with two houses.

    • Upper House (Senate): Consists of appointed members (2323 members in total, appointed from both the ruling party and the opposition party).

    • Lower House (House of Representatives): Consists of elected Members of Parliament (MPs).

    • Examples: Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago use a bicameral system.

  • Unicameral System: A legislature with only one house that deals with making laws.

The Legislative Process: Steps in Making Laws

Parliamentarians review Bills and guide them through several stages, known as "readings," before they become law. Bills usually start in the House of Representatives, though some may be introduced in the Senate first.

  1. First Reading: The Bill is introduced to the House. No debate occurs at this stage. The short title is read, a day is appointed for the second reading, and the Bill is ordered to be printed.

  2. Second Reading: The Bill is debated extensively, and a vote is taken.

  3. Committee Stage: If the Bill passes the second reading, it is examined closely by a Select Committee or the whole House. Amendments may be moved and voted upon.

  4. Report Stage: The Speaker reports the findings of the committee stage to the House, noting any amendments made.

  5. Third Reading: No substantial amendments can be made at this stage. A final vote is taken to accept or reject the Bill.

  6. Review by the Other House: Once passed by the House of Representatives, the Bill is sent to the Senate to go through the same process.

  7. Royal Assent: This is the final stage. The Governor-General gives agreement on behalf of the Monarch. Once the Royal Assent is given, the Bill becomes an Act, which is an enforceable law.

The Executive Branch: Roles and Key Terms

Key Roles

  • Prime Minister: The Head of Government and leader of the country. Their role involves directing government policies and representing the nation internationally. They also decide when the next General Election will be called.

  • The Cabinet: The main decision-making body of the government. It is a group of the most important MPs who act as policy makers and coordinators of government work.

  • Ministers: Members of Parliament chosen by the Prime Minister to manage specific national programs and government policies.

  • The Civil Service: Formed by permanent government workers who provide public services (e.g., education, transportation) and implement government decisions.

Key Terms

  • Ministry: A specific department of the government.

  • Portfolio: The specific area of responsibility assigned to a Minister.

  • Principle of Collective Responsibility: The concept that Ministers may disagree in private regarding a policy, but must publicly support all Cabinet decisions.

Specialized Roles of the Head of State and Opposition

  • The Opposition: Challenges the government by scrutinizing policies, questioning decisions, and proposing alternative solutions. They raise public awareness about government failures to ensure accountability and transparency.

  • Head of State (Monarch/Governor-General): Ensures the government functions in accordance with the law and the Constitution. Duties include:

    • Giving Assent to Bills.

    • Dissolving Parliament and calling for elections.

    • Appointing and dismissing government officials.

    • Issuing pardons.

    • Representing the country at significant international events.

Government Systems in the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 5656 independent and equal countries. Most were formerly part of the British Empire.

1. Constitutional Monarchies

These are independent countries where the Monarch (King/Queen) is the Head of State, represented by a Governor-General. However, the Monarch is NOT the Head of Government.

  • Countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados (formerly), Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

2. Republics

In these systems, a President serves as the Head of State. The President may or may not be the Head of Government depending on the specific constitution.

  • Countries: Dominica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago.

3. Dependent and Overseas Territories (Crown Colonies)

These are not fully independent. A Governor acts as both the Head of State and the Head of Government.

  • Countries: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos.

Regional Political Categorizations

Democratic Countries in the Caribbean

  • Jamaica

  • Antigua and Barbuda

  • St. Lucia

  • Guyana

  • Trinidad and Tobago

  • St. Kitts and Nevis

  • St. Vincent

  • Barbados

  • Grenada

  • Belize

  • The Bahamas

  • Dominica

  • Suriname

Autocratic Countries in the Caribbean

  • Cuba

  • Haiti

  • Dominican Republic