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Jamaica must go on no matter which party wins
Christopher Burns
Monday, August 20, 2007
Barring any major events such as natural disasters, Jamaicans will go to the polls next Monday, August 27, to select the party they believe is most capable of forming the next government. It is to our credit, as a relatively young democracy, that we now have one of the most sophisticated electoral systems in the Western Hemisphere. It is to our credit too that unlike places such as the United States, none of our prime ministers has been assassinated and we have had no coups.
And, despite utterances from naysayers, we have come a far way since achieving universal adult suffrage in 1944 and political independence in 1962. Many diseases such as yaws (an infectious tropical disease marked by red skin eruptions and joint pains and which mainly affects children) or chigger (a parasitic larva that feeds on the skin and other tissues causing irritation and swelling) are no longer present in Jamaica.
More Jamaicans now own houses, have titles to land, enjoy higher standards of living and are literate. The literacy rate is now 88 per cent. Access to potable water, electricity, telecommunication and tertiary education has never been better. More people have access to primary health care, and Jamaica's infant morality rate is lower than many other countries - 15 per every 1,000 births. It is 24 in The Bahamas. Life expectancy has increased to 73 years. It is 66 in Trinidad, and poverty has declined to 14.8 per cent. It is 25 per cent in India.
In terms of social progress, Jamaicans now have a greater understanding and appreciation of what it means to be Jamaican. Jamaica has undertaken some of the most progressive and far-reaching social reforms and labour legislations ever embarked on in the Caribbean. The country's social progress has been underpinned by substantial improvements in health, education, arts and culture. More than any other country its size, the Jamaican culture has had the greatest impact on the world. Jamaica now has a sound and respected foreign policy which transcends personalities, but focuses on strong principles.
Political independence and social advancements have set the pace for economic development and growth. The Jamaican economy is far ahead of where it was 45 years ago. The economy is now deregulated and liberalised and more attractive for investments. Though GDP growth has not been sustained at high levels, as we review Jamaica's economic performance, we must not focus entirely on GDP growth, because increases in GDP growth may or may not result from any increase in output, but from price increases.
We must therefore also look at economic development.
While there have been substantial advancements, a lot more needs to be done if Jamaica is to take its rightful place in this globalised world. The general election is being held within the context of a mushrooming domestic economy, a bitter-sweet social reality, but a challenging international political economic environment.
Even though the Cold War has ended, the world is now witnessing unpresented levels of poverty, inequity, physical, environmental and economic insecurity, which have given rise to different kinds of conflicts and challenges, including international terrorism and HIV/AIDS.
Jamaicans must now make a choice as to the party and leader best able to guide the country through these challenging and changing times. We must not forget that government alone will not solve all the problems that beset us. It requires collective will, honesty and fixity of purpose.
Jamaicans must make their decisions fully cognisant of geo-political developments than can affect how we do things. Our ability to finance some of the promises being made will not be feasible, given current resource limitations.
The price of oil, for instance, is not determined solely by the government of Jamaica. It is determined by geopolitical developments and international market forces led by consumption patterns of industrialised countries like the United States and China. Consequently, Jamaicans must understand the symbiotic relationship between the price of oil, its effects on the trade deficit, inflation, the country's competitiveness and its ability to create jobs in the manufacturing sector, for example.
With all the changes and advancements since political independence in 1962, very little has been done to change the ownership of wealth or the structure of our economic arrangements. The two major political parties have presented their manifestos outlining plans to improve the economy. But how much of this will involve the masses?
The JLP is pinning its hope on attracting mega investments, which it says will create jobs and by extension increase government revenues that will be used to finance its promises. While this sounds good on paper, we must understand that the investments may come, but those investments may or may not generate the levels of employment promised by the JLP.
The PNP is pinning its hope on continuing to attract massive Foreign Direct Investments, but with heavy emphasis on small and micro-business development. While this may sound excellent, given various studies that small businesses are responsible for the greater part of the GDP, we have to make certain that we create the right atmosphere for small businesses to flourish. Interest rates are trending down, but more venture capital financing and low interest loans are necessary, if we are to promote small businesses.
It is indeed sad that the gains in social progress have not translated to any material gains in the way we relate to one another. This failure, among other aberrations resulting from the drug trade, poor social skills, and economic malaise, has contributed to the high levels of crime and violence.
Evidently, like the economic challenge, there is no magic wand. However, a new way must be found, beginning with the involvement of citizens, to deal with crime and violence. In the final analysis, no matter who wins, Jamaica must go on.
Burnscg@aol.com
Christopher Burns
Monday, August 20, 2007
Barring any major events such as natural disasters, Jamaicans will go to the polls next Monday, August 27, to select the party they believe is most capable of forming the next government. It is to our credit, as a relatively young democracy, that we now have one of the most sophisticated electoral systems in the Western Hemisphere. It is to our credit too that unlike places such as the United States, none of our prime ministers has been assassinated and we have had no coups.
And, despite utterances from naysayers, we have come a far way since achieving universal adult suffrage in 1944 and political independence in 1962. Many diseases such as yaws (an infectious tropical disease marked by red skin eruptions and joint pains and which mainly affects children) or chigger (a parasitic larva that feeds on the skin and other tissues causing irritation and swelling) are no longer present in Jamaica.
More Jamaicans now own houses, have titles to land, enjoy higher standards of living and are literate. The literacy rate is now 88 per cent. Access to potable water, electricity, telecommunication and tertiary education has never been better. More people have access to primary health care, and Jamaica's infant morality rate is lower than many other countries - 15 per every 1,000 births. It is 24 in The Bahamas. Life expectancy has increased to 73 years. It is 66 in Trinidad, and poverty has declined to 14.8 per cent. It is 25 per cent in India.
In terms of social progress, Jamaicans now have a greater understanding and appreciation of what it means to be Jamaican. Jamaica has undertaken some of the most progressive and far-reaching social reforms and labour legislations ever embarked on in the Caribbean. The country's social progress has been underpinned by substantial improvements in health, education, arts and culture. More than any other country its size, the Jamaican culture has had the greatest impact on the world. Jamaica now has a sound and respected foreign policy which transcends personalities, but focuses on strong principles.
Political independence and social advancements have set the pace for economic development and growth. The Jamaican economy is far ahead of where it was 45 years ago. The economy is now deregulated and liberalised and more attractive for investments. Though GDP growth has not been sustained at high levels, as we review Jamaica's economic performance, we must not focus entirely on GDP growth, because increases in GDP growth may or may not result from any increase in output, but from price increases.
We must therefore also look at economic development.
While there have been substantial advancements, a lot more needs to be done if Jamaica is to take its rightful place in this globalised world. The general election is being held within the context of a mushrooming domestic economy, a bitter-sweet social reality, but a challenging international political economic environment.
Even though the Cold War has ended, the world is now witnessing unpresented levels of poverty, inequity, physical, environmental and economic insecurity, which have given rise to different kinds of conflicts and challenges, including international terrorism and HIV/AIDS.
Jamaicans must now make a choice as to the party and leader best able to guide the country through these challenging and changing times. We must not forget that government alone will not solve all the problems that beset us. It requires collective will, honesty and fixity of purpose.
Jamaicans must make their decisions fully cognisant of geo-political developments than can affect how we do things. Our ability to finance some of the promises being made will not be feasible, given current resource limitations.
The price of oil, for instance, is not determined solely by the government of Jamaica. It is determined by geopolitical developments and international market forces led by consumption patterns of industrialised countries like the United States and China. Consequently, Jamaicans must understand the symbiotic relationship between the price of oil, its effects on the trade deficit, inflation, the country's competitiveness and its ability to create jobs in the manufacturing sector, for example.
With all the changes and advancements since political independence in 1962, very little has been done to change the ownership of wealth or the structure of our economic arrangements. The two major political parties have presented their manifestos outlining plans to improve the economy. But how much of this will involve the masses?
The JLP is pinning its hope on attracting mega investments, which it says will create jobs and by extension increase government revenues that will be used to finance its promises. While this sounds good on paper, we must understand that the investments may come, but those investments may or may not generate the levels of employment promised by the JLP.
The PNP is pinning its hope on continuing to attract massive Foreign Direct Investments, but with heavy emphasis on small and micro-business development. While this may sound excellent, given various studies that small businesses are responsible for the greater part of the GDP, we have to make certain that we create the right atmosphere for small businesses to flourish. Interest rates are trending down, but more venture capital financing and low interest loans are necessary, if we are to promote small businesses.
It is indeed sad that the gains in social progress have not translated to any material gains in the way we relate to one another. This failure, among other aberrations resulting from the drug trade, poor social skills, and economic malaise, has contributed to the high levels of crime and violence.
Evidently, like the economic challenge, there is no magic wand. However, a new way must be found, beginning with the involvement of citizens, to deal with crime and violence. In the final analysis, no matter who wins, Jamaica must go on.
Burnscg@aol.com