The phrase "old boys' network" or "old boys' club" is often used to describe an informal system used by the affluent or elite in a society to retain power and money. The phrase is also used to refer to people in a group who have been around forever and exclude others from benefits, privileges, opportunities and conversations.
Certain members of the network simply deem themselves untouchable or above the law while sometimes using incestuous business relationships which may give rise to conflicts of interest to preserve the concentration of resources and influence in the hands of a select few in a country.
This week we take a look at our nation and consider how the network exists in The Bahamas or whether it is merely a myth for our purposes. We go a step further to examine the characteristics and impact of the network on our commonwealth and the potential repercussions for future generations of Bahamians if the network is abused without regard for the rule of law and the masses within our society. Has the network benefited our nation or has it further divided us while perpetuating a culture of entitlement and stymied our progress?
Exclusivity of the network
The Urban Dictionary provides the following commentary in relation to the network: "It is not necessarily purposeful or malicious, but can prevent women and minorities from being truly successful in the business world. It entails establishing business relationships on high priced golf courses, at exclusive country clubs, in the executive sky-boxes at sporting events, through private fraternities or social clubs etc. These are arenas from which women and minorities are traditionally excluded and thus are not privy to the truly serious business transactions or conversations."
While the aforementioned commentary focuses on the business aspect of the network, it applies to other incarnations of the network, from religion to politics. It is interesting to note that women and the minorities that are excluded as noted above constitute the majority in The Bahamas.
It is likewise important to emphasize that this piece does not seek to present the network which has existed from time immemorial and will continue for years to come, as an evil. Rather it seeks to highlight the features of the network and the danger to our way of life when the network is abused to the country's peril.
Versions of the network
The network exists in various forms but ultimately connects its members while excluding the majority of the population. In other words, while the network exists in commerce, religion, occupations and politics, membership in any of the referenced sub-groups will often guarantee access to exclusive benefits.
In The Bahamas, the level of privileges enjoyed by members of the network is often determined by political affiliation, though ultimately the members-only club has nevertheless benefited under different administrations due to the connectedness of those involved.
The existence of succession planning and the transfer of membership by birth ensures that the network survives from one generation to the next and maintains the underlying principles upon which the network is founded.
A new version of the network can hardly be expected from individuals who see no reason to deviate from the mode of operation of the status quo. However, the newer versions of the network (call them collectively Network 2.0) will have to adapt to a country in which the citizenry demand more inclusion, the same opportunities, equality of all before the law and access for all Bahamians.
The network, the average Bahamian and youth
The exclusive nature of the various subgroups of the network in The Bahamas is one that promotes territorial preservation but tends to create generational conflicts. This is not unconnected to the notion held by many that the network is a system that one can only be born into or invited to join. Hence, membership for the most part is limited to persons who constitute both the past and present political directorate or perceived aristocrats as well as their children and people in their lineage.
The "privileged" youth born or deliberately drafted into the network often have and display a sense of entitlement to the positions and openings that have a direct impact on the destiny of The Bahamas. The consequences of such a system is that gifted and qualified people in general and young Bahamians in particular from modest backgrounds without political connections are locked out of opportunities to serve our dear country either in the public or private sectors.
Unfortunately, this exclusion extends to the vast majority of young men who hail from the inner cities of our society. This reality, may be a contributing factor in the level of social degradation and ills that we experience in our nation today.
In rare cases where such outsiders are provided with opportunities to serve on a national level, their tenures are often marked with frustration and much grief as they are held to a standard designed to make them fail.
The silver lining here is that the shifting landscape in The Bahamas is bringing about an awakening and paradigm shift that has not been seen in our country in decades.
The network and women
In relation to women, the network phenomenon is very much alive and at work in The Bahamas as we are challenged to contribute at the highest levels in business, religion and politics. Research conducted in the U.S. in 2012 showed that only 18 Fortune 500 companies had female CEOs; this was a record high at the time. The composition of boards across the globe will also show that women are underrepresented at the highest echelons of decision making.
The picture in the Bahamian context is not very impressive. While Bahamian women have progressed significantly in the corporate world, they often confront the proverbial glass ceiling at the middle management level. Hence, women make up a small percentage of boards and upper or senior management of institutions in The Bahamas.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 20 percent of the parliaments across the globe are made up of women. In The Bahamas, the percentage is a dismal 13.2 percent which demonstrates a disproportionate number of men in political leadership in our country. It is apparent that Bahamian women have been (and continue to be) impacted by the far-reaching power and influence of the network in The Bahamas.
Benefits and dangers
of the network
The network provides access to opportunities for economic advancement and investments not available to the average Bahamian. In the public and private sectors, the commitment and loyalty that exists among members of the network ensures that members are always taken care of and are not subject to the struggles of commoners in The Bahamas.
This is seen in appointments to boards or positions within the private and public sectors as candidates are selected based on past or present personal relationships.
There is a school of thought that supports the approach of appointing persons who have gained enough trust and credibility while demonstrating loyalty over the years. This is deemed to be more important than actual qualifications or credentials.
However, it is important that candidates do not bypass proper protocol and a robust due diligence screening. More importantly, selected candidates must not only be capable, the process of appointment must be transparent to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest.
Additionally, past experience shows that the network has promoted the recycling of the same individuals and mindsets that are way past their time or relevance thereby perpetuating the ideology that "it is not about what you know but about who you know". Membership of the network should not exclude anyone from being subject to the same standards as other Bahamians, proper vetting or scrutiny at the expense of the reputation of the institution concerned or the nation as a whole.
The future of the network
An article printed in The Guardian in the U.K. a few months ago was entitled "Women are rattling the old boys' club, so let's celebrate its swansong". It seems fair to state that any celebration of the demise of the network in The Bahamas by the majority commoners and women that outnumber men on the voters' register would not only be misguided but also grossly premature.
The glass ceiling that places limitations on individuals outside the network will stay intact until the populace demand more from our leaders, not necessarily by inclusion in the network but by equal opportunity for all Bahamians to be all they can be.
The network survives in its current form within The Bahamas because the people have accepted this as the norm and tolerate a system that is not conducive to the achievement of the Bahamian dream. We have consciously or unintentionally accepted the philosophy that holds one grouping superior to another; one that suggests that our destinies are determined by a few people who are God's creatures just like us.
The future of the network and whether it continues to be manipulated to our detriment as a nation will be decided upon by us - the people of this great country. Stay tuned for the concluding part of this piece next week.
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.
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