‘Commonwealth Carnival’ may overshadow Charter

Today, imperialism, which was depicted as the structural form of monopoly capitalism by Lenin, has become global capitalism, which is virtually managed by the Trans-lateral agencies IMF, WB and WTO. Poorer countries are tied to the system through the financial support given by the system. Conditional loans and the continuation of debt have displaced all other bonds that made the poor the victim of the system. It has become almost impossible for any individual country to break out of this system. Those who dare to challenge it are in the end bracketed as terrorists, violators of democracy and human rights. Then the system will annihilate them with or without the sanction of the UN. When the Iraq war broke out Dr. Gamini Corea, who left us recently, told me "It is alright to condemn the Americans, but prepare to shed tears because what has started is the massacre of a small nation. I do not see any way out except through a radical change within the ruling system.” Gamini was a liberal who did not see any future for a revolutionary vision that we advocated. But we have to agree that an internal crisis in the system is necessary to set a revolutionary change in the modern world; and also, it is difficult to dismiss the idea that global capitalism has entered such a period a few years ago. In that background only do we have to study the impact of the Commonwealth. No doubt it is a set-up to give limited democratic space for the middle classes in the member countries to discuss problems within the global system. The Commonwealth countries have come together with the English language and common traditions of the imperialist past. Still the Commonwealth cannot be ignored. At least twice a year, as a Commonwealth scholar I am reminded of the organisation that helped me to go to Cambridge, where Charles was a contemporary undergraduate.







" In Canada one third of respondents said they would not care if Canada left the Commonwealth. half could not describe what it does, and Canadians were four times more likely to support closer ties to the United States "



A poll in several member countries in 2009 found that most people were largely ignorant of the Commonwealth’s functions and indifferent towards its future. In Canada one-third of respondents said they would not care if Canada left the Commonwealth, half could not describe what it does, and Canadians were four times more likely to support closer ties to the United States. Support was also weak in other wealthier Commonwealth realms but much stronger in poorer Commonwealth republics. Nearly one-fifth of Australian respondents said they would be “delighted” or “pleased” if their country left the Commonwealth. So it is the poor countries in this setup that still recognise the validity of the Commonwealth. Because English is so widely-spoken in the world it has often been referred to as the “world language”. While it is not an official language in most other countries, it is so within the Commonwealth. This has a binding effect on the poorer countries within the Commonwealth. UK and other powerful countries have used this forum to introduce bourgeoisie democratic reforms from the top and to build elites loyal to the traditions of British imperialism. The Charter of the Commonwealth says “affirming the role of the Commonwealth as a recognised intergovernmental champion of small states, advocating for their special needs, providing policy advice on political, economic and social development issues and delivering technical assistance;” it calls for democratic governance, protection of human rights, tolerance, respect and understanding, freedom of expression, separation of powers, rule of law, good governance etc. etc.







" No doubt the Commonwealth  is a setup to give limited democratic space for the middle classes in the member countries to discuss problems within the global system. The Commonwealth countries have come together with the English language and common traditions of the imperialist past   "



While the Commonwealth Charter emphasises such democratic anti-fascist principles, Prasident Mahinda Rajapakse is preparing for a carnival with emphasis on decorations, dances and glamour. It is going to be overloaded with ceremonies; there will not be any room for discussions on the Commonwealth Charter. The general feeling is as if we have gone back to the Victorian period with coronations and jubilees. While Lords of London are pouring words to explain the values of the Charter of Elizabeth, the Rajapakse government is pumping money to create a Victorian royal carnival in Colombo and Hambantota. It is certain that there will be enough corruption and waste while the poor masses will be pushed around without any mercy. The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth. Charter of Elizabeth became the most serious document to emerge from the Commonwealth. But instead of consolidating this Charter, Mahinda is preparing to bury it at Hambantota. It is the duty of all those who stand for democracy and human rights to challenge this ‘Medamulana Nadagama’.