Elections, Violence and the Democratic Process in Jamaica 1944–2007

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Referencing an extensive bibliography as well as numerous first-hand interviews with key political players as well as activists at the grassroots level, Elections, Violence and the Democratic Process in Jamaica

By: Amanda Sives

Ian Randle Publishers Bools on Amazon Kindle

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Description

Since the achievement of adult suffrage in 1944, Jamaican democracy has remained resilient. Fifteen general elections have been held; the results have been accepted by the contending parties and the democratic process has survived. Within the wider Latin American and Caribbean region, Jamaica has been a stable, functioning democracy BUT it has faced a number of significant challenges. In this book, Amanda Sives examines one of those key difficulties: the relationship between politics and violence in the former British colony involving supporters of the two main rival political parties, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People’s National Party. Unlike other countries within the region, it has occurred within the confines of the democratic process and sought to influence the electoral outcome rather than overthrow the state. Tracing the rise and decline of partisan political violence, through an examination of elections since 1944, Sives argues it cannot be understood outside of this historical framework. 

Referencing an extensive bibliography as well as numerous first-hand interviews with key political players as well as activists at the grassroots level, Elections, Violence and the Democratic Process in Jamaica posits that partisan political violence is not simply a fight for scarce benefits but needs to be understood as part of political identity formation and political culture. Sives concludes that while the reformed electoral process provides an example of best practice for other developing and developed countries, until the peculiar Jamaican problem of party-controlled garrisons is addressed, the democratic process will remain flawed. 

A ready reference for the student, politician and general reader alike, Elections, Violence and the Democratic Process in Jamaica provides an insight to the Jamaican political culture.

Additional information

Weight 1 lbs
Dimensions 9 × 6 in
ISBN

978-976-637-331-3

Binding

Paperback

Page Count

262

Publication date

2010

About the Author

Amanda Sives is a lecturer in Politics at the University of Liverpool. Her main research expertise lies in the politics of the Caribbean with a particular emphasis on Jamaica.

Contents

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Abbreviations

 

  1.  The Origins of Partisan Political Violence
  2.  Partisan Political Violence and Party Consolidation 
  3.  The Arrival of the Garrison: Partisan Political Violence in the 1960s
  4. The Manley Governments, 1972–1980
  5.  The Decline of Partisan Political Violence
  6. ‘Politics mash up the community’: Politics, Violence and Peace at the Community Level

Reviews

‘Amanda Sives provides us with a thoroughly researched narrative of the development of electoral violence in Jamaica. Starting with the first universal adult suffrage election in 1944, she captures both the general national trends as well as the detailed impacts felt by specific communities. In a well balanced study, she highlights the positive changes that have taken place in recent years which hold out hope for reductions in violence.’

Mark Figueroa, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona

For some time now, a number of Caribbean social scientists have expressed the view that our theoretical understanding of the political system and the methodologies of political mobilization and demobilization (of opponents) that integrate and exclude were in need of review.  Caribbean scholars and readers have therefore waited a long time for someone to write this book.  Amanda Sives accepted this challenge and has advanced our historical knowledge and further enriched our theoretical understanding of the political system. This book gives us a much better understanding of the process that has led to the current problems of developmentally debilitating “political tribalism” and the nexus between criminal groups and the political parties.’

Anthony Harriott, Director, Institute of Criminal Justice and Security, 

University of the West Indies, Mona

 

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