Political Independence, Democracy and Ideologies

"A people without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”- Marcus Garvey. The political atmosphere is getting tense. In fact, in some political spaces the tension in the air is palpable. Posters have been defaced or torn down. There have been warnings on the political platforms warning voters not to sell their votes. As in any market place, wherever sellers are buyers are present. One could therefore theorize that democracy is transactional. Does the voter have the right to maximize the leverage of his or her vote? In many instances, after the elections are done and normalcy returns the voters are left on their own to navigate their concerns until another election cycle. Political parties have been pulling in large crowds at various rallies across the country. The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has been touting their achievements since they wrestled political power, while the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has been making promises to the electorate. Diminishing Significance. There is general feeling that the significance regarding our independence is being lost with each generation. For many Jamaicans, Independence Day has become a day of rest and recreation. There is not much personal reflection concerning the path to Independence Day. Then again, how can this be, given that the teaching of History education is not compulsory in our education system? It is possible for a student to complete both primary and secondary level education without being exposed to the historical underpinnings of Independence Day. In fact, one just has to watch the Junior School Challenge Quiz, it can be heart wrenching as many students stumble at general knowledge questions. There is a disconnect somewhere. There are those who will argue that this is intentional. The argument here is that the less information is given to the citizens the more likely they can be controlled by politicians. Additionally, the collective reflection is hardly a reflection of sort and there is not much excitement or buzz surrounding planned activities. The education system should be a vehicle of citizen empowerment; however, there is clearly some disengagement in the process. The Westminster Model. Jamaica negotiated and received political independence on August 6, 1962. Jamaica’s political culture has had a storied past. Our brand of politics and governance are very much colourful as it is divisive. The Jamaican Constitution was drafted to reflect the British socio-political model known as the Westminster-Whitehall system of government. This model guarantees that citizens, through universal adult franchise have the right to participate in free and fair elections, and choose the officials that govern the country. Jamaica’s current head of state is King Charles III. The Governor-General is the official representative of the head of state in Jamaica. The incumbent has the responsibility to appoint the principal officials responsible for leading the state. The Westminster Model, is an all or nothing approach to politics. The political party in opposition is always at a disadvantage leading up to a general election, well any election. Currently, both political parties are at a stalemate regarding the path to republic. The People’s National Party has argued that the path to republic must include replacing the U.K. based Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice to complete the process of independence. Voter Apathy. Amidst the fight for votes there is also voter apathy and this too is problematic. Voter apathy refers to the lack of interest, engagement, and participation in the electoral process by eligible voters. It is a phenomenon where individuals choose not to exercise their right to vote, often due to a perceived divide between the political system and their personal concerns. There are numerous reasons why more and more Jamaicans are being turned off from the political process. It appears that voter apathy is more grounded in the middle and upper middle classes. The majority of those who attend political rallies are from the working classes. The business class will finance or contribute to the political party of their choice. On the other hand, the political exuberance is mainly rooted among the working class. The working class or those who do not have a visible 9 to 5 job are the ones who will place the political posters around the communities or canvass for votes. The success of any political party requires all hands on board. Those Jamaicans who are steeped in their Judeo Christian upbringing believe that Christians should not participate in the political process. Interestingly, Reverend Al Miller recently announced the formation of a new political party the Jamaica First Movement (JFM). This stance by the clergyman clearly debunked the notion that Christians should separate themselves from politics. However, many Jamaicans are skeptical concerning pronouncement by ministers of religion. The widely held view is that many clergymen are too political. Voter Turnout. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness's Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won a resounding victory, with 49 seats in the 63-member House of Representatives in the general election held on September 3, 2020. The result was one of the largest margins of victory in decades, but also one of the lowest voter turnouts at 37%. In the 2016 elections, turnout was over 48%. Given their good performance in the 2024 local government elections, the People's National Party (PNP) and their supporters believe the pendulum is in their court. On the hand, the Jamaica Labour Party and their supporters believe that they have done enough to receive that elusive third term. However, in politics there is no sense of entitlement and polling is not a true science. According to the latest RJRGLEANER-commissioned Don Anderson polls, which shows no clear favourite among voters at this time? The results show 32.6 per cent of those polled saying they would vote for the People's National Party (PNP) as against 29.6 per cent for the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The Jamaican electorate is seemingly signaling to the two main political parties that they need strong convincing on where to place their 'X' come election day. Interestingly, the People’s National Party has changed presidents since the last general election. Mark Golding has replaced Dr. Peter Phillips. Dr. Phillips is the current Member of Parliament for Saint Andrew East Central. Mark Golding has served as Member of Parliament for the St. Andrew South constituency since 2017. He was elected President of the PNP, and sworn in as Leader of the Opposition in November 2020, upon the resignation of Dr. Peter Phillips from those posts. Dr. Andrew Holness has been the leader of the Jamaica Labour Party since former Prime Minister Bruce Golding resigned in October 2011. He was first elected to represent the constituency of West Central St. Andrew in 1997 at the age of 25. Polar Opposites. Perhaps the most influential Caribbean leaders to have emerged from the region are Michael Manley of the PNP and Edward Seaga of the JLP. The decade of 1970-1980 was extremely challenging for Jamaica. Jamaica experienced a State of Emergency declared in June 1976, by the Michael Manley led administration which was extended multiple times and ultimately lifted in June 1977. This period was marked by political violence and instability leading up to the 1976 general election which the PNP won. It was during this period that Michael Manley, as prime minister, strengthened diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1974 at a time when the Cold War between the United States of America and the Soviet Union and its allies like Cuba was still raging. However, a break in diplomatic relations with Cuba came after Edward Seaga became Prime Minister after the 1980 general elections. It was a tense period as Cuba was closely associated with the Soviet Union and the Cold War was at its highest peak. A clash of political ideologies made matters worse. It was during the time of the 1970s that former Prime Minister Michael Manley introduced Democratic Socialism this did not sit well with the United States of America. The USA had a free market capitalist economy, while Democratic Socialism was on the premise that advocates social ownership of the means of production and is therefore committed to the overthrow of capitalism as an economic model, while maintaining a commitment to political democracy. We must be mindful as well that Fidel Castro visited Jamaica in 1977 which cemented the close bond between Manley and Castro. The relations between Jamaica and the United States of America returned to normal after Edward Seaga won the 1980 general elections. In fact, Ronald Reagan who was president of the USA during that time visited Jamaica in 1982. Those who are old enough would recall food shortages and the marrying of food items. The marrying of food items means the customer needs for example 2 pounds of flour, however, in order to purchase the flour the consumer is forced to purchase another food item. There were long lines at supermarkets as food was scarce. Some scholars argue this was a manufactured food shortage to undermine the government of the day. This State visit by the US president was seen as a turning point in the relationship between the USA and Jamaica. First Woman Prime Minister. History was made in Jamaica when on February 26, 2006 Mrs. Simpson-Miller was elected as the first female president of the People’s National Party (PNP) and on March 30, 2006 when she was sworn in as Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister. She served in this post for the period March 2006 to September 2007 and again from January 2012 to March 2016. 1974 was the beginning of Mrs. Simpson-Miller’s career in representational politics. She was asked to represent the People’s National Party in the Municipal elections of 1974 representing the Trench Town area. Mrs. Simpson-Miller’s surprising success in the Municipal elections made way for her to be nominated as a candidate for the general elections. This was also another success story with her winning in both the 1976 and 1980 general elections. She has also been Member of Parliament for South-West St. Andrew since 1989. Mrs. Simpson-Miller has been one of the most successful and popular female politicians in Jamaica. Mrs. Simpson Miller yielded to calls from within her party to step down after the PNP lost the 2016 general elections. Simpson-Miller announced she would not seek re-election on 4 December 2016. She was replaced by Peter Phillips, the Shadow Minister of Finance and former rival, on 26 March 2017. She stepped down as Member of Parliament in June 2017. Reimagine the Political Process. Jamaica has a long history of political violence. In 1980, nearly 900 Jamaicans died in violence leading up to general election which was held on October 30, 1980. Those of us who are old enough to remember the 1980 general elections do so with fear and unease. However, 1980 did not happen overnight. They were antecedents including political victimization and political violence. The People’s National Party, (PNP) won both the 1972 and 1976 general elections. The then opposition party the Jamaica Labour Party spent eight years without being the government during this period. The political atmosphere of the 1970’s to the 1980 general election was rather divisive rooted in groundbreaking homicides, political intimidation and political inertia. Fast forward to 2025 and the nation is on the verge of another general election. Since political independence in 1962 Jamaica has had 14 general elections the last one being in 2020. Jamaica’s political process has come a far way, so much so the Electoral Commission of Jamaica is now a widely respected body. It is highly anticipated that the Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness will be announcing the date for the next general elections over the weekend of August 11 to 12. Both political parties have been engaging the electorate over the past few months; it is now time for the electorate to speak. On your marks! Get set! Are you ready? Happy 63rd Independence, Jamaica. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #Independence