Dickson Igwe. Photo: VINO/File

It further asks: what are the guiding philosophies of Virgin Islands party politics? Is there a coherent and cohesive vision for the country in the hearts and minds of the general population? And if one exists: then what is that vision?

Are the political parties and elected politicians capable of defining a clear and achievable vision: a panoramic view of the future that guides the country in the years and decades ahead?

This will be a leading theme coming from the pen of this Old Boy, leading up to a general election campaign in 12 months.

The effort is bipartisan. It seeks to nudge leaders to greater works: to debate policy and not personality. It further exhorts that politicians think about the long term. Yes, that is not as easy as it sounds in a 4 year political cycle. It is a call to put country before self, nonetheless.

The series argues that there is a need for a national guiding philosophy that culminates in a strategic vision for the Territory. That vision could be likened to a powerful torch light showing the way on a dark night to weary travelers. And just like a traveler, a country and its leaders must have a destination, even a number of destinations.

There could be more than one vision for a country, such as an economic vision, a social vision, an educational vision, and even a political and constitutional vision.

Without having a destination, or in other words, a vision, there is no point embarking on a journey. When a destination is established or decided upon, then milestones point the traveler in the right direction. However, milestones must be appropriate and adequate.

There is a direct relationship between milestones and accessing the final destination; but milestones, like signposts, must be well defined and prominently set in place, where they can be observed and assessed by the traveler.

Milestones must also be accurate. If not, the traveler will get lost. A country, like a traveler, can get lost in its journey.

When that happens, the result is frequently social and economic failure, and political instability. Failure to reach the vision results in social poverty and dysfunction, a contracting economy, and underdevelopment.

A signpost could be equated with the clarifying mission. It can be likened to a global positioning system device. The signpost will be one of many along the route, and placed strategically to point to the place one must arrive at, before the final destination is reached. The final destination is the national vision.

That vision is frequently a panorama. The final destination is often a place that is wide, picturesque, and bountiful. El Dorado is the place the country wants to be: the place of safety, security, pleasure, and prosperity.

How one determines what El Dorado is, is very subjective. It is the task of a country’s leaders to sell the people of a country their version of El Dorado and how they intend to get there. Ultimately that is what politics is all about: SELLING AN IDEA to voters.

Now, any type of vision starts with a political philosophy that must be understood by one and all. The philosophy encompasses every aspect on the journey towards the vision. Why the need to communicate the political philosophy: so that voters and non-voters alike can assess and appreciate fully, the various policy proposals that will be put forward by politicians.

These policy proposals must be in accord with the national vision. If not, they will become a waste of time and scarce resources.

A national vision that is widely acknowledged and accepted, must be established, in order for Virgin Islanders and residents to determine whether politicians are on track, and moving the country in the right direction.

The second story in the series will look at a number of visionary ideas derived from various individuals in the community.

To be continued

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