by Wendy C Grenade, PhD
The Grenada Revolution (1979-83) remains one of the most defining periods in the Caribbean’s post-colonial history and its legacy can be characterised by Charles Dickens: It was the best of times and the worst of times.
On the one hand, the significant accomplishments of the People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG) cannot be denied: an international airport; highly trained professionals, such as agronomists, doctors, veterinary specialists, engineers among others; agro-processing and asphalt plants; women and youth empowerment; the establishment of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) to name a few. Yet, despite its achievements, the traumatic implosion of the revolution on 19 October 1983, has tainted its legacy and there is a tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Since its demise, several scholars and observers have studied the making and collapse of the Grenada Revolution to make sense of its immense promise and possibilities and its deep internal contradictions. For decades, calls have been made for all of Grenada’s history to be taught in schools and for 19 October to be declared a National Day of Healing and Reconciliation. I wish to commend the Government of Grenada on its announcement, that from next year, there will be a week of activities from 19 to 25 October to commemorate the historical significance of the Grenada Revolution.
At Fort George earlier today, a white flag was hoisted to represent peace. This is a step in the right direction to reverse the induced amnesia about that most important period of Grenadian and Caribbean history. As Grenadians reflect on those four and a half years, there are many lessons we can draw from that period for politics and society in the current dispensation. In this article, I will discuss a few.
First, the overarching goal of the PRG was to transform Grenada’s polity, economy and society. The political economy was based on a mixed-economy model with a triad consisting predominantly of the State and cooperatives and to a lesser extent, the business sector. Importantly, long-term planning and inter-sectoral linkages among agriculture, manufacturing, education and tourism were critical. Slogans such as “eat what we grow and grow what we eat” and “idle hands for idle lands” reinforced the importance of agriculture and agri-business to support a new political economy. Key institutions were established to promote a holistic approach to development. The Mirabeau Farm School, the Grenada Farms Corporation, the Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) and the Grenada Resorts Corporation are some examples. The education sector was also being transformed to create the bedrock for the new economy and society. Slogans such as “each one teach one, we learn together” and “education for liberation” reverberated throughout the Grenadian society. Innovative programmes were implemented, such as the Centre for Popular Education (CPE) (which was an adult education programme) and the National In-service Teacher Education Programme (NISTEP) (where volunteers gave of their time in schools to enable teachers to be teacher trained). The transformation agenda was driven by inspirational leadership, State planning, productivity, volunteerism and a deep sense of patriotism.
In the current era, the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, Tourism, ICT, Creative Economy, Agriculture and Lands, Fisheries and Cooperatives and the establishment of the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation can provide the integrative framework needed for a holistic, results-oriented and outcomes-driven approach to transformation. This can foster synergies and promote greater inter-sectoral cohesiveness. However, the mega ministry needs to be closely monitored to ensure it is not too unwieldly. Regular reviews are necessary to monitor and evaluate progress. Importantly, there needs to be a systemic shift to boost worker productivity in all sectors.
Another major lesson from the Grenada Revolution is that transformation must be incremental. In hindsight, one of the weaknesses during that period was that the revolutionaries were moving at an intensely rapid pace. Too many major projects and initiatives were undertaken simultaneously and in quick time. This may have led to burnout, which in turn, could have been responsible for a breakdown in human relations. This, combined with other factors, was detrimental to the revolutionary process. The current administration’s focus on transformation is desirable. The fact that the NDC won the 23 June 2022 General Elections confirms that the majority of the Grenadian electorate is supportive of the NDC’s vision for transformation. Yet, I caution that while radical change is often necessary, the pace of change must be realistic. Transformation is not an overnight affair; it takes time. Therefore, expectations must be managed. This requires frequent communication with the citizenry. I strongly agree with calls for town hall meetings to be institutionalised. In fact, this was one of the strong points of the Grenada Revolution.
A fundamental lesson from the demise of the Grenada Revolution is that the use of coercive power runs counter to sustainable transformation. This source of power uses force, threats and other forms of coercion to stimulate an outcome. One of the contradictions of the Grenada Revolution was that the experiment in grassroots democracy, through Zonal and Parish Councils, while phenomenal, was stymied by the culture of “heavy manners” levelled at “counter-revolutionaries” and the politics of fear that permeated the country. The lesson in this era is that the call by NDC hardliners for ‘blood’ runs counter to the very essence of transformation. Coercive power is destructive, as it induces unnecessary conflict that can lead to breakdown.
Alternatively, the utilisation of ‘soft power’, can lead to greater transformative outcomes. ‘Soft power’ is generally considered as the ability to coopt rather than force or coerce. It seeks to shape the preferences of others through cooperation as opposed to confrontation. The use of ‘soft power’ focuses on inclusiveness and partnerships for the collective ‘good’. While the revolutionaries had a transformative vision for Grenada, the use of coercive power throughout the organs of the party and institutions of the State, created a monster that eventually devoured the promise of transformation. I am in no way suggesting that the current administration should engage in political naivety. However, there is need to form a broad-based coalition across class, gender, generational, and party-political lines if the promise of transformation is to be realised. Compromise and consensus must be at the heart of Grenada’s development.
Additionally, a vigilant citizenry is another cornerstone of transformation. As we reflect on the events of 19 October 1983, one of the paradoxes of the Grenada Revolution was that, although it was a popular revolution (as evidenced by mass mobilisation, regular rallies and community clean-up campaigns) there was a disconnect between the people and the workings of the party organs. The PRG’s intolerance for dissent was such a deterrent that when the crisis enveloped the nation, there were insufficient watchdog movements to keep the transformation agenda in check. The tragedy of 1983 could have been avoided if the citizenry were allowed to be a check and balance on the vanguard party which controlled the reigns of the PRG. The current administration is well-advised to adopt and modify the PRG’s approach to participatory democracy to enable citizens to have a voice and be involved in their governance. I call for Citizen Watchdog Committees to ensure there is government accountability and truly human leadership at all levels of government.
Finally, the making and implosion of the Grenada Revolution created psychological trauma for many Grenadians and, as such, there is need for deep psychosocial interventions for those affected. I again commend the Government of Grenada on its recent announcement to teach the history of the Grenada Revolution in schools as part of Civics, to have a week of activities from 19-25 October, to erect a peace monument, among other initiatives. This is long overdue and it is a step in the right direction as Grenada seeks the healing and reconciliation it so deserves.
Dr Wendy C Grenade is a Grenadian Political Scientist and Educator.
What a gripping read.
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The author must be commended for her intuitive assessment of the successes and contradictions of the PRG government and her stern warning to the newly elected NDC government. Sadly omitted in the lessons to be learnt is the elimination of the democratic process by which the people elect their leaders and its role in the demise of the PRG.