Dookeran: ‘One Per Cent’ Debate Should Focus on Economic, Institutional Issues, Not Political Rhetoric

Former Finance Minister Winston Dookeran has called for a shift from political rhetoric to a deeper examination of economic and institutional issues in the controversial ‘One Per Cent’ debate in Trinidad and Tobago. He traced the origin of the phrase to the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement, highlighting its symbolism for concerns over wealth concentration and economic inequality.

Referencing Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz and anthropologist David Graeber, Dookeran underscored their criticisms of the disproportionate influence of society’s wealthiest members. The ‘One Per Cent’ concept, he explained, has now permeated Trinidad and Tobago’s political landscape, taking on new significance amid public discourse.

The former Finance Minister suggested that the debate reflects more than just political slogans. It points to enduring structural challenges within the economy, such as inequality, elite influence, and a ‘disequilibrium trap’ that hampers sustainable national development.

Dookeran further highlighted the recent controversy linking the ‘One Per Cent’ narrative to crime policy and allegations involving sections of the Syrian-Lebanese community. He cautioned against letting political conflicts compromise the country’s democratic institutions.

In his concluding remarks, Dookeran emphasised that state power should not be used for political vendettas. He stressed that public confidence hinges on independent institutions that can investigate concerns impartially, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the integrity of governance.