Submitted by Yardbroom
“The UK government is poised to start measuring people’s psychological and environmental well being, bidding to be among the first countries to officially monitor happiness…countries such as France and Canada are looking at similar initiatives as governments around the world come under pressure to put less store on conventional economic measures of prosperity such as gross domestic product”…
After reading the above, I could not but reflect, on the wise words of the late Prime Minister of Barbados David Thompson: “Barbadian Society is more than an economy.”
To underline my point; “The French President Nicolas Sarkozy, announced last year he intended to include happiness and well being in France’s measurement of economic progress. Sarkozy was responding to recommendations made by two Nobel economists, Joseph Stiglitz and Amartsen, who called on world leaders to move away from a purely economic concept of gross domestic product, which measures economic production, to well being and sustainability”.
To those who talk ad infinitum about the economy, the message is now gaining ground; that the economy has a part to play in the affairs of any country – and an important one. However, it cannot be the only measure, which determines well being, happiness and how individuals in a society feel about themselves.
David Thompson’s “blueprint” for the future prosperity of Barbados, was concisely summed up in the words he used when addressing a DLP audience:
“It is what we do today that will secure the future of our children of tomorrow”. It is not by accident that he looked to the future – not immediate short term gains – and in his vision of that future, beseeched us to think of our children. David Thompson being a family man of integrity, placed great emphasis on that unit, because he no doubt felt, the family was at the core of our future success. Perhaps he believed as I do, that there is “more to a marriage than four legs in a bed”. His belief that families were important, has for some time been of significance to those who had insight, and sought improvement for their children and society. That David Thompson was able to refocus the public in Barbados, on what he thought important, in a relatively short time as Prime Minister, indicated the measure of the man.
It was Keith Wrightson when giving his view of the family’s contribution to society who wrote: “Through the family, society reproduced itself; children were born and reared and prosperity was transmitted from generation to generation. Within the family, individuals found security and identity and the satisfaction of both physical and emotional needs not catered for by other social institutions.” Like most societies, Barbadian society has its share of problems, but David Thompson having identified those areas, sought to address the core obstacles; by trying to inculcate a feeling of togetherness in Barbados, on which could be built lasting prosperity.
As is often the case, there will be some BLP supporters, who will say with chagrin, this is DLP propaganda. To them I can only say, I am not now, or have ever been a part of the DLP organization. The aforementioned are simply stated truths, through a fair interpretation of words spoken by David Thompson. I have not mentioned omissions or commissions of the BLP but through cogent reasoning has arrived at my conclusions.
To those who have a different view – and many will – of the impact of the economy on society. I would only add, if the economy is the axle on which the wheel of society turns; I put it to you, that within that wheel of society, are families generating out like myriad spokes, turning often slowly but making progress towards a better society for all, where the right conditions exist.
This is my analysis of the vision of the late Prime Minister of Barbados David Thompson. It is now left to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to build upon and expand that blueprint. It was Roxanne Easley who wrote:
“Politics is not just about intentions and outcomes, but also the process by which intentions are translated into outcomes”. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart can now carry on the processes outlined by David Thompson. If we were in any doubt about the merits of David Thompson’s vision, now we see advanced developed countries, seeking to use that same blueprint for success, and a feeling of well being in their societies.
It would be a dereliction of responsibility, if this golden opportunity is missed and energies dissipated in unnecessary elections and the dithering and uncertainty which could result. Prime Minister Stuart seize the hour, because it is upon “you”. That others – in opposition – might wish you to do otherwise, are not valid grounds for you to do their bidding.
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