Parris Electoral Conjectures and Governance in Guyana

About the Book

Parris Electoral Conjectures and Governance in Guyana examines the inappropriateness of treating Guyana as a society characterised by ethnic differences. Author Haslyn Parris, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Guyana, outlines his thoughts on the electoral system in Guyana and the ways in which it is used as a basis for determining societal opinion on who should govern the country. Parris Electoral Conjectures and Governance in Guyana explores three main myths that comprise beliefs generally accepted by many Guyanese, regardless of their levels of intelligence or education. These myths are as follows: 1. Guyana has a Westminster-model constitution and system of government. 2. Voting in Guyana is along ethnic lines, so that elections very much represent something of an ethnic census. 3. Leaders need to be intellectually blessed visionaries, thereby capable of giving guidance to the people on a broad range of issues. Parris’s study is divided into two parts; the first part examines the second and third myths as described above. The second part explores the first myth, regarding Guyana’s system of government and proposes a new electoral system for Guyana. Throughout, Parris offers insightful suggestions regarding how Guyana can escape the morass into which the country has been thrown by its colonial history.

About the Author

Haslyn Parris is the former Deputy Prime Minister responsible for planning in Guyana. Academically qualified as a mathematician, economist, and statistician, he was Secretary of Guyana’s 1999 Constitution Reform Commission. He was also a Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission and has experienced Guyana’s Electoral Process.