Analysis
The following are the analysis of the project’s achieved information and political members’ responses of the questionnaire.
The most common answer was the one for what inspires a person to work in politics – ‘’What inspires you to work in politics?’’. All answers had in common their meaning – example: ‘’The need to help others and to make my country better’’, ‘’The progress of the livelihood’’ etc. All also agree that democracy with total freedom of speech and opinion is the best political system which suits Malta, for the benefit of its citizens.
When asked: ‘’Looking at foreign countries, referenda are much more popular, giving a solid democratic environment. Should the Maltese government involve the citizens more in political decision making by organising more referenda? ’’ – the answers were more discussable.
Helena Dalli answered ‘’..citizens should be more directly involved in decision-making as opposed to leaving it in the hands of representatives.’’ But then again commented and pointed out that ‘’..realistically we know that legistically and financially it is not possible to have the whole voting population involved directly in decision-making, except for on particular special issues.’’ Proof to what Helena Dalli stated is that, economically, Malta’s last two referenda together amounted to about 8.5 million euro (Information extracted from: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110523/local/Divorce-vote-costs-put-at-4m.366756)
On the other hand, John D Camilleri sustained that although referenda are considered as ‘’healthy’’, the government should be the one who takes the responsibility to lead the country.
Another question with quite different answers was: ‘’We always find political parties engaging in catfights and blame-games. Why so?’’
Answers varied from: ‘’..political parties present their ideas and want to convince the electorate that their way is the best way forward’’ – Helena Dalli
to
‘’Something of the past. Modern politics are quite different. Argue the idea not the person.’’ – Mario Calleja
or
‘’I don’t agree. That is what the People thinks.’’ – John Camilleri
The penultimate question was a bit controversial with contradicting answers. When the political activist were asked ‘’Do you think that the distribution of wealth is being done equally and democratically in Malta?’’ the answers were:
‘’Not quite. If it were so we would not have many thousands on the brink of the poverty line.’’ – Helena Dalli
‘’Definitely not in the last five years under GonziPN.’’ – Mario Calleja
‘’Yes. I think it is democratic.’’ – John Camilleri
The last question’s answers, regarding the privatization of major companies in a country, was one with agreement. (Socialism’s and communism’s main political ideology is that the ownership of companies rests in the hands of the government whilst a liberalist’s and capitalist’s philosophy is that private companies should take control of the country’s economy so that there is more liberty of sectors and individual.)
‘’Certain areas should be under government control while others should be privatised. For instance I do not think it is wise to have the national airline privatised especially given our geographical position and thus a national airline is of the essence.’’ – Helena Dalli
‘’Private public partnership helps a lot but one has to be careful as regards employees.’’ – George Farrugia
‘’Yes. These are strategic.’’ – John Camilleri.