The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has a huge responsibility to protect the safety, order, and good governance of our country.
But it is the ordinary citizen who has an even greater responsibility to ensure those in power are held to account.
Approximately every five years, the people of The Bahamas, represented by those who participate in the electoral process, decide who among themselves will take responsibility for our shared resources and civic systems.
This country belongs to the Bahamian people, but those ill-informed and unwilling to do what is necessary to become better informed in a democracy will find the balance of power slip away from them.
Voting is the most basic function of an adult citizen in our democracy and far too many of those who did believe their responsibility in the governance process ends at the ballot box.
There are many ways to contribute to governance in our country - through service on public boards, in local government and through partnering with government in civic society.
However, one of the most essential functions a citizen will ever perform to enhance the public is to properly inform themselves.
It is clear there are those in government who themselves do not bother to become properly informed, despite the incredible responsibility of serving in high office.
For them, there is a check on the power in the form of the people themselves.
But for a public to refrain from properly informing themselves and taking part in the national discourse in a meaningful and researched way is to relinquish its patriotic duty.
An informed public is one that possesses the necessary knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking skills to make well-informed decisions and participate actively in the democratic process.
And its importance cannot be overstated.
A public that is not equipped to evaluate the positions and policies of political candidates, hold elected officials accountable, and make informed choices at the ballot box is one that will see a nation's development stifle.
Informed citizens can engage in constructive debates, contribute diverse perspectives, and ultimately shape better policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of the society as a whole.
Simply voting on promises from people who may often not be well-versed in the mechanics of the policies they themselves are putting forward is worse than not voting at all.
Lacking a thorough grasp of how government works and your nation's role in the world is also the fast-track to falling prey to the manipulation of confidence men who can sow chaos and bring nations to their knees.
In today's information age, misinformation and propaganda can spread rapidly, influencing public opinion and decision-making.
Too often on social media, the now most popular public square - for better or worse - false or biased information is spread and regurgitated before accurate and reliable sources can disprove it.
This is a sign of a generally uninformed public that has abandoned discernment and lacks the discipline to research and consume verifiable data.
Informed public opinion is also a catalyst for positive social change through increased awareness that leads to a demand for adherence to the law, progress, and accountability.
Those who better understand their country are more likely to be more deeply engaged in civic activities, such as volunteering, community organizing, and participating in public hearings and town meetings.
An ill-informed public cannot be the much-needed crucial check on those who hold public office and the institutions for which they are responsible; and those who run our institutions know it.
It is, therefore, critical that we insist on public transparency and public officials who tell us the facts entirely, regardless of the spin they wish to put on information that may harm their political fortunes.
We all have a role to play in having a better-informed public.
The media must report diligently and fairly and do the challenging work that delivers national and global context.
In The Bahamas, education through secondary school is free for all, regardless of nationality, gender, color, or legal status.
However, the government must invest even more deeply in public education, not only in schools but also through comprehensive media programs.
But it is folly to leave it to the government to foster intellectual curiosity.
It is the responsibility of the citizen to hone the mind to think more critically and arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.
The post Knowledge is power appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.The post Knowledge is power appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
