The problem in Dominica is that many people have a stake in the corruption process, even if its not a mjaor secret in a small society. The talk shows are very much alive in the country so some rumours or accusations do not stay under wraps for too long. compounding the issue is that there is not a lot of oversight of public officials and many times its up to the party to act (except of course at elections time). Even though officially the president appoints top officials, it does this on advice from the government (the ruling party technically) anyhow.

Food for thought: small under-developed or developing countries have tremendous opportunities for corruption and many hands are outstretched. Corruption takes many forms. In some cases its the unfair handouts or disrtribution of assets, jobs or scholarship “for the boys”, nepotism, waiver of (what may otherwise high) taxes or duties..you name it. It happens everyday. Some are the by products of politics.

If one wants to have a more global review, we can look at the transparency International rankings:
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2008
Dominica falls at no. 33 out of 180 countries; much better than most. See if you find any country which surprises you on the level of ranking.

Talking about workings of Dominican political parties, let me see if I can give you some idea of how ingenous and bankrolled the parties can be. Do you know that the ruling party paid for plane tickets and ground transport for hundreds of Dominicans oversees to return home to vote in the 2005 elections? Some said it made a difference in the outcome in some communities. Do you think the ruling part woud ever disclose the sources of the funds? Do you think that was local? I am sure the major players have benefited in some ways since the election. It would be interesting to know if there is a link between the various ambassadors appointed by the government to various countries and sources of finance in political campaigns. But some of that happens in other countries too….

Among other checks, maybe there should also be laws ensuring that those appointments of high level public officials are vetted by a parliarmentary commitee. Dominica is too small for such complications some may say. See for example, how difficult (or politically not opportune) it was to implement the Integrity Commission…. Certainly it is in the interest of ruling parties not to expose themselves to that extent.

The irony of it is that the Labor party came in as the corruption antidote that was urgently needed in 2000. This is the same party that has brought into the fold what it used to label as the corruption symbol from the other party for political expediency.. and which has now fired a minister supposedly on similiar accusations.

So we must all do our part not to promote corruption. Maybe if more of us do it, some politicians will learn.. Ask for appointments strictly on merit and patiently wait one’s turn for an opportunity. No special treatment (pay the exhorbitant customs duty out of civic duty and not go to our cousin, the customs officer to decrease it or pay almost nothing). Apply for scholarships by waiting for the ad in the papers (don’t ask Aunty Catherine to put in a word..). Wait to get that prime piece of land sub-divided ..instead of asking your old schoolfriend Tom to make sure your application gets on top of the pile.. Ministers should not accept certain freebies and money under the table to favor exclusive contracts for multi million contracts they made happen…the list is long…but making these doings a symbol of political power certainly makes the hard campaign worth it to some…

No law can eliminiate corruption. It requires vigilence and prosecution and an informed public.