I often ask readers why they think nothing gets done, here.
This week help came from an expected source, a reader:
I came across an article in The Economist this week about the Dutch culture of governing via exhaustive negotiations and consensus, a system known as the “polder model,” responsible for Dutch prosperity and economic growth in the 80s and 90s.
This could partially explain why even simple matters take so long in Aruba, and why Government officials are so reluctant to make any decision whatsoever.
Is is embedded in GOA’s DNA.
Not everything from the Dutch must be cut & pasted into our society, and less so with Aruba having such a different culture vs the Dutch. In a fragmented political scene giving everyone a say and aspiring to reach consensus is very hard, probably impossible.
This is certainly hurting our economy. Case in point: Decisions about the refinery, San Nicolas redevelopment plan, Port City, reducing government expenses, labor and fiscal laws, a sound vacation rental regulation, the simple granting of an “erfpacht” or a work permit, privatizations, etc., the list is long.
“Do Nothing,” cannot be an option, more so in the middle of an economic crisis.
I recently heard that from fear of ending up in litigation, at odds with the justice system, the officials at DIP simply refuse to sign anything.
That way their future won’t be compromised.
In this same line of thought it seems that a presidential regime like that of the US fits us better than a parliamentarian one. A system that allows for better coordination with a powerful President/Prime Minister is needed. The current anarchic feudal system where every Minister decides on his niche without consulting the Council of Ministers, not even the Prime Minister, is simply flawed.
Just imagine a private company where there is no coordination between the Finance, Marketing and Operation Departments and the CEO, coordinating and promoting his/her own agenda, removed from actions of his department heads. A recipe for disaster.
Better bring “poldering” to an end, and get our country moving.
