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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