Jamaica’s Democratic Socialism; Michael Manley’s Model

Democratic Socialism has been widely criticized as being economically and politically
unfeasible. This political ideology has experienced mass support for the promises it pledges in its
inherent dogma of human welfare over profit maximization. It is often pitted against and likened
to Marxism-Leninism, however, advocates of democratic Socialism heavily oppose the
authoritarian nature of past systems such as the Soviet command economy during the 20th
century. Over the years, socialist revolutions took place across the globe from Cuba to Vietnam
to China. Democratic socialist movements erupted in areas such as Tanzania and Jamaica with
enigmatic leaders such as Julius Nyerere and Michael Manley. The 1970s and 1980s were eras of
large-scale decolonial movements spanning across the Third World as seen in Pan-Africanism
and the New International Economic Order (NIEO). Leaders and scholars such as Thomas
Sankara, Walter Rodney and Kwame Nkrumah all were powerful advocates for their nations.
They tried to use their positions in power to lead their nations into a prosperous future. This
thesis concentrates on Michael Manley’s approach to democratic socialism as Jamaica’s prime
minister for three terms (1972-80 and 1989-92). This thesis hones in on Michael Manley’s action
and its impact on Jamaica’s political economy. It explores the domestic and foreign hurdles that
were present during his three terms in office. The thesis concludes with postulations on the
pivotal roles external and internal factors played on the demise of Manley’s regime and loss of
public support.