Blogs

On its 47th birthday Jamaica Confronts the Challenges of a Modern Society Economic headache dominates the Debate

Posted by CaribShout on August 11, 2009 at 7:10pm

Michael Manley If the gift of oratory was a hallmark of Michael Manley and the over-powering global influence of Bob Marley and his music has transformed him into a global iconic figure, what defines the country which gave birth to both of them? Jamaica, the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to ascend the perch of sovereignty, achieving that distinction in August 1962, is best defined, say many experts and opinion formers, by its creativity and resilience, the ability to fashion a distinctive identity and to dig itself out from under the burden of misfortunes, such hurricanes and floods, and others of its own making. The country which has given the Western Hemisphere some of its best-known high achievers ---Marcus Garvey, Claude McKay, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, Marley, Usain Bolt, Prof. Rex Nettleford, George Headley and Patrick Ewing to name a few --- is celebrating its 47th year of independence and the celebrations couldn’t have come at a more intriguing time. A year after its athletes dazzled tens of millions of people around the world with their medal winning prowess at the 2008 Olympics, a time when Jamaica was on top of its game, the country is faced with its worst economic crisis in a quarter of a century. It’s a challenge, admittedly not entirely of its own making but one that threatens to reverse many of the gains of recent years. In addition, as the country seeks to invest more in its people’s education and health, extending life spans to historic highs and boosting child survival to levels once considered unattainable in may people’s lifetime, it has to find ways to meet the galloping expectations of its young people, who are entering or leaving high schools and tertiary level colleges and universities in unprecedented numbers. On the plus side of the ledger, the inflation dragon is back in its iron cage, tamed and probably fast asleep. Relative labor peace isn’t an aberration but a fact of life and Jamaica’s image on the international stage remains high, especially after its stints on the United Nations Security Council and later as head of the Group of 77 Developing countries and China. Just as important, its wealth of human resources as reflected in its skilled people at home and across North America, Britain and continental Europe, as well as in the Caribbean is undisputable. Then, there is the quiet political atmosphere, devoid of the kind of violence that once seemed endemic and that threatened to derail further development. Both the ruling Jamaica Labor Party headed by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the Opposition People’s National Party with Portia Simpson-Miller at the helm have settled into their respective roles without the slightest hint of social disruption. That’s not to suggest that all’s quiet on the political front. The accepted jockeying for political ascendancy, driven by the ebb and flow of public opinion is vibrant, as it should be in any democracy. What’s obvious too is that any reliving of the nightmare of the late 1970s and early 1980s when the PNP and JLP were literally and figuratively at each other’s throats is far from people’s consciousness. But on the debit side of the equation, two things are a source of considerable widespread concern. Take the first, the economic troubles which have come just when the country seemed on the road to continued economic growth, albeit by small margins. The global crisis that threw the tourism industry into a tailspin, falling profits in the global alumina sector, the drying up of foreign direct investment and declining remittances have virtually derailed prospects of economic growth this year and in 2009. When Jamaica’s foreign debt obligations are added to the mix, it didn’t come as a surprise when the Golding government turned to the IMF for balanced of payments support. It was a terrible blow to a government which came to office with high hopes of accelerating growth and laying the foundation for future prosperity. But until Jamaica reduces its debt burden, it will remain hobbled by external financial commitments that are sapping resources that otherwise would go into development spending and reaching the United Nations Millennium development Goals. The second challenge is largely but not entirely in Jamaican hands: crime and violence. The drug trade and the wide availability of small arms and ammunition are threatening the country’s domestic security. It already has one of the world’s highest homicide rates and both crime and violence are causing untold damage at home and to its international image. The drug trade in Jamaica is part of the under-belly of the illegal drug business in North America and to a large extent in the U.K. Until the U.S. curbs its demands for narcotics, then Jamaica and its Caribbean neighbors would be forced to face the undesirable results. The current mess is a tragedy for a country known for its boundless energy and creativity, whether in song, dance, the visual, the field of sport or in intellectual pursuits. Clearly, Jamaica is a vibrant modern society whose level of human development has defied the odds. It should remain that way. By: Tony Best

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health