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The current conditions in Jamaica from an economic and social standpoint are bleak. Jamaica has the world’s third largest debt9. Sixty-five percent of the government’s revenue is used to service this debt. Sixteen percent of its people live below the poverty line. Several factors make it questionable as to why the economy is in such poor shape. It exists 900 miles from the world’s richest marketplace. It has fertile soil, water resources, mining resources, and resources for tourism. In fact, Jamaica averages 2 million tourists a year in a country whose population is only 2.5 million. Also, Jamaica has some of the finest agricultural crops in the world. So why was its economy in a recession throughout the nineties and only grew 1.7% in 2002?10 The history of the failing economy lies in politics, but the culture of the people is also a factor. The People’s National Party has been the prevailing government party in Jamaica since the seventies. From the 1970’s to the 1990’s the leader of this party was Michael Manley. Manley has been compared to Fidel Castro in his socialist practices. From the 70’s to the 80’s Manley’s PNP tried to develop the lower class of Jamaica with several programs. These programs were met with adversity from the elites of the time. The failure of these programs and the huge amount of money spent on them gave Jamaica a massive debt with nothing to show for it.11 Moreover, the economic oppression from much more developed countries such as the United States would and does not allow Jamaica to compete as it should in the world market. The culture of the people as an economic set back isn’t due to a poor work ethic. As a matter of fact, Rastafarians have a strong work ethic. One Rasta named Ernie expressed this when he said, “A man is like water; if he slows down or stops, he becomes stagnant.” A common saying in Jamaica that also expresses this ideal in patois, the native language of the island, is “Walk fe nuttin’ better than siddung fe nuttin’.”12 The concept that holds them back economically is their resistance to over-consumption, at least in the Rasta sect. People see the United States as an economic role model. However, as shown previously, while the GDP is high, GDP doesn’t measure intrinsic value. While I have praised the ideals of Rastafarians, others in Jamaica don’t seem to share the concept of love. Murder is rampant on the island. In 1999 out of the 2.6 million in population there were 953 murders13. In 2002 Jamaica had the second highest murder rate per 100,000 people in the world.14 Gang disputes can flare from almost trivial incidents. After a gang member’s mother was punched in June of 1999, nine neighbors were shot dead in three weeks. The rampant crime and violence aren’t just caused by poverty. In the 1970 election, Edward Seaga’s Jamaican Labour Party and Michael Manley’s People’s National Party aligned themselves with rival gangs and tore the country apart. Tension still remains even over thirty years after this incident. Gangs have the power in Jamaica. In September of 1998 rioting erupted when a powerful gang leader was held on attempted-murder charges. The gangs not the police keep petty crime rates down. However, with this power they control a massive drug shipment organization. According to the United States customs from September of 1997 to September of 1998, 37% of drug-carrying passengers arrested at American airports were from Jamaica.15 The main drug involved in this process is cocaine. The cocaine is produced in South America, and then shipped to Jamaica. From there it’s brought to the United States either by airplane or boat. The vast drug trade empowers the gangs of Jamaica. This power leads to increased crime and violence. In August of 2002 Jamaica celebrated the 40th anniversary of it’s independence from Brittan. For the anniversary, a local newspaper decided to take a poll concerning local feelings toward independence. To the surprise and horror of many Jamaican politicians, 53% of respondents replied that the country would have been better off if it had remained a British colony, while only 15% thought it would have been worse off.16 This speaks mountains about the lack of confidence Jamaicans have in their politicians. To predict the future of Jamaica’s economy one must look at the big picture. Its history is one of oppression and discrimination. Even today, while 91% of the island is black and only 0.2% is white17, the top political leaders are white. Jamaica’s political system is lacking the faith of its people. Its export base is dwindling. Tourism is its main commodity, but arrivals to Jamaica were down 11% in 200218. The culture of its people isn’t desirable for economic growth. The majority of the people are either easy going simple farm people or violent criminalistic heathens. If economic growth is the goal, the future of Jamaica doesn’t look good. To predict a positive future for Jamaica’s people one must start with equality. Before there can be peace there must be equal rights and justice. The opinions of the majority must be heard before there can be faith in the politicians. The power of the heathens must be minimalized through unity and strength of the Jamaican people. The government mustn’t compare itself to overly developed nations. This simple yet beautiful island needs only the basic factors of production, good music, and overall “one love.” 1 Holger Henke, The West Indian Americans. (Greenwood Press, 2001 pg.
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