Manley’s Democratic Socialism in Jamaica

In 1974, the Peoples National Party declared that "Democratic Socialism" was the new political philosophy for Jamaica. This was dubbed "Communism" by some, partly because of the leader's close friendship with Fidel Castro of Cuba and partly because the P.N.P. was covertly supported by the Workers' Party of Jamaica (a Communist Party). 

Political challenges from the younger generation within the PNP, coupled with internal fighting, created a crisis for the PNP. Consequently, in November, Michael Manley, in conjunction with an advisory committee, announced their socialist programs in an effort to maintain party unity. Manley declared, “I want to spell out democratic socialist policy for Jamaica based on the premise that socialism is about equality. Equality did not mean uniformity, dictatorship of any kind, or equality in misery and poverty.

In 1979, the Jamaica Labour Party declared itself a "Social Democratic Party" in contradistinction to the P.N.P. 

Despite the problems democratic socialism is believed to have caused, according to the Jamaica Observer, in 2014 People’s National Party (PNP) said it will host a celebratory function on Thursday, November 20, to mark the 40th anniversary of the party’s reaffirmation of democratic socialism.

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Economic Contributions to Political Violence

As stated by Williams (2011) The Evolution of Political Violence in Jamaica 1940-1980, the first dilemma of the Manley regime was the failing economy, which was not immediately apparent due to his success in attaining more revenue for Jamaica via the increased bauxite levies.

Secondly, the PNP government had to contend with an aggressive U.S. government that was determined to contain or eliminate communism/socialism around the world. After the 1972 elections, Manley initiated a series of controversial reforms aimed at improving Jamaica’s economy through the nationalization of several public service industries, and the government’s conversion to democratic socialism. The problem with Manley’s reforms was that Jamaica lacked the funding to make the country economically independent of what he considered to be an exploitative capitalist market.

Manley exacerbated this situation by turning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for a financial bailout for Jamaica. This ultimately undermined his own government’s authority when the banks demanded the implementation of several austerity economic measures in return for granting the loans. The problem with the IMF and World Bank demands was that the banks wanted Manley to reduce civil service sector jobs and decrease government spending at a time when Jamaica suffered from an unemployment rate of 23 percent. These demands precipitated an economic crisis for the country in the late 1970s.

 Manley assumed that any economy which continued to be dependent on foreign sources would fail and Democratic Socialism was necessary to unite the people and change attitudes. However, Manley failed to address the role of the government and political parties in establishing a connection with the marginalized youths who were involved in gang violence.
Although the PNP claimed victory in the 1972 elections, the party suffered through an increase in post-election political violence as JLP supporters continued their efforts to destabilize the Manley regime. In 1973, violence in west Kingston claimed the lives of six prominent citizens, forcing Manley to comment on the problems of Seaga’s control over the west Kingston constituency. Manley claimed that “a one-party state had been built in Tivoli Gardens (Back O’ Wall), the center of Seaga’s west Kingston constituency.

As nationwide violence continued to rise from 1972 through 1973, Manley created the Gun Court, which “was a special court established to deal with any crime involving a firearm including illegal possession of a firearm or ammunition and was to try anyone charged with a firearms offense within seven days of arrest.”  The creation of both the Gun Court and the Home Guard under the Manley government was indicative of an increase in the use of hand guns to commit politically motivated violence. (Williams, 2011)

There were a lot of initial factors that precipitated the episodes of politically related violence. The nation leaders being the major causes of the problem over the years. Each political leader postulating that their initiative is the right and the best choice in the interest of the country. And whenever there are disagreements resort to violent measures. Political decisions affects the economy which ultimately has a devastating effect on citizens who also resort to violence to obtain money especially since job availability is also affected.

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1980’s Election Fever Happenings

It is a known fact that both political parties had deep-rooted associations with variant dons, notable among them 'Burryboy' [Michael Manley attended his funeral], 'Fedamop', 'Buckie Marshall', and 'Claudius Massop'. PNP and JLP Russian roulette-type rivalry culminated in 1980.

"After nine months of violence [February to October 1980, effectively the longest general election campaign in Jamaica] 844 [police official statistics] Jamaicans were killed on account of politics. Shockingly, almost 35 per cent of those killed were slaughtered in the constituency of West Central St Andrew, which had the JLP's Ferdinand Yap and the PNP's Carl 'Russian' Thompson as candidates." (Jamaica Observer, October 30, 2012).

According to the Jamaica Observer Columns article by Garfield Higgins (2015) entitled ‘Assassination plots and the birth of political violence in Jamaica’; going into Election Day in 1980, there were several tragic and eventful incidents. Among them:

Michael Manley's motorcade was fired on in May Pen: Manley was shaken but not stirred and did not suffer any bruises. (Gleaner, August 29, 2006).

"Tough-talking PNP candidate of St Andrew East Rural Roy McGann and his policeman bodyguard, Acting Corporal Errol White, were killed by policemen in Gordon Town Square a day before nominations opened." (Jamaica Observer, October 30, 2012).

When the dust cleared; the general election, held October 30, 1980, ended in victory for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which thumped the People's National Party (PNP) by 51 seats to nine, a record margin of victory by any party up to the time. (Jamaica Observer, October 30, 2012)

In these major elections many persons were affected not only citizens of Jamaica but political parties candidates. Election violence is a problem that continues to deteriorate Jamaica’s electoral process not only then but to this day.

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