Fear in the Civil Service

Fear in the Civil Service

28 September 2025

I want to continue on the recent news that there is a culture of fear within the civil service in Curaçao (nu.cw, 24 September 2025).

This is not new. Some studies argue that fear is embedded in our national culture—see the book De cultuur van angst (Culture of Fear) (Marcha & Verweel, 2003). Others suggest that it is inherent to small societies, where everyone knows each other and reputations spread quickly.

And yet, I believe this climate of fear intensified after 2010, when leaders at the top were aggressively targeted. It seems that after every election, a new wave emerges. This is not unique to Curaçao. In the United States, both Trump and Elon Musk immediately shook up the civil service and corporate ranks after taking office.

Now, Curaçao is going through another shock. The sudden removal of the fire chief and the interim director of the ambulance service sends a chilling signal. In the case of the ambulance service (FKAK), there may have been reasons for intervention; however, in both cases, the manner in which it was conducted raises serious questions.

The deeper problem is that a culture of fear corrodes democracy. When civil servants are afraid to speak, policies are no longer tested by reality. Mistakes remain hidden, innovation is stifled, and corruption finds fertile ground. Fear silences the very voices that should safeguard the public interest.

I fear that those in power are comfortable with the idea of fear. It keeps people silent. It maintains control. But fear does not belong in a democracy. Especially not when a single party governs alone.

It reminds me of the old saying: “In a democracy, rulers fear the voters. In a non-democracy, the voters fear the rulers.”

Miguel Goede