Jamaica

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Jamaica Image File history File links Jamaica_coa. ...

Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General Kenneth Hall Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Opposition Bruce Golding Parliament Senate House of Representatives Political parties Elections: 2007 Parishes and Counties Foreign relations Jamaican diplomatic missions

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Politics of Jamaica takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy. The 1962 Constitution established a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, as her representative in Jamaica. The governor general's role is largely ceremonial. Executive power is vested in the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. Jamaica is an independent country and Commonwealth Realm. It is a parliamentary democracy whose political and legal traditions closely follow those of the United Kingdom. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaican legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act, 1962 of the United Kingdom Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Jurisprudence is based on English common law. The countries of the Commonwealth Realm share the same monarch. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... This page lists Governors-General of Jamaica. ... Kenneth Hall (born 1941) is the current governor-general of Jamaica. ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ... Portia Simpson-Miller Portia Simpson-Miller (born c. ... Bruce Golding was the founder of the Jamaican National Democratic Movement (NDM). ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... Political parties in Jamaica lists political parties in Jamaica. ... Politics of Jamaica Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Jamaica ... General elections will be held in Jamaica in October 2007. ... Jamaica is divided into fourteen parishes (capitals in parentheses)- Clarendon Parish (May Pen) Hanover Parish (Lucea) Kingston Parish (Kingston) Manchester Parish (Mandeville) Portland Parish (Port Antonio) Saint Andrew Parish (Half Way Tree) Saint Ann Parish (Saint Anns Bay) Saint Catherine Parish (Spanish Town) Saint Elizabeth Parish (Black River) Saint... Jamaica has diplomatic relations with most nations and is a member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. ... Jamaica has a modest number of diplomatic missions in the world, even within its own peripheral region of the Caribbean. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in U.S. English), is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A monarchy, from the Greek μονος, one, and αρχειν, to rule, is a form of government that has a monarch as head of state. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in U.S. English), is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... A Governor-General (in Canada always, and frequently in India prior to the abolition of the last monarchy, Governor General) is most generally a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above ordinary governors [1]. The most common contemporary usage of the term is to refer to the... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Alternate meanings in cabinet (disambiguation) A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ... The Commonwealth Realms, shown in pink A Commonwealth Realm is any one of the 16 sovereign states of the Commonwealth of Nations that separately recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      In law, the judiciary or judicial is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ...

Political conditions

Jamaica's political system is stable. However, the country's serious economic problems have exacerbated social problems and have become the subject of political debate. High unemployment — averaging 15.7% in 1999 — rampant underemployment, growing debt, high interest rates, and labor unrest are the most serious economic problems. The migration of unemployed people to urban areas, coupled with an increase in the use and trafficking of narcotics — crack cocaine and ganja (marijuana) — contribute to a high level of violent crime, especially in Kingston. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The City of Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. ...

The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller, Prime Minister of Jamaica

Parts of Kingston, and some slum areas in other towns are controlled by gang leaders, called "dons", who derived their power initially from links to the leadership of the political parties, but over the course of the 1980s and 1990s acquired significant independence due to participation in the transshipment of cocaine from South America to North America and Europe and the export of Jamaican marijuana. In spite of this independence, many gangs continue to maintain links with the political parties in order to obtain protection from state authorities and from the United States government which, unsurprisingly, wishes to reduce the flow of cocaine and marijuana. Image File history File links Portia1. ... Image File history File links Portia1. ... Most Hon. ... The 1980s refers to the years of 1980 to 1989. ... This article is very long Some browsers may have difficulty rendering this article. ...

The two long-established political parties have historical links with two major trade unions — the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) with the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the People's National Party (PNP) with the National Workers Union (NWU). A third party, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), was created in October 1995; it does not have links with any particular trade union, and its leading figures have mostly withdrawn from it or significantly reduced their activity. The Jamaica Labour Party is a conservative political party in Jamaica. ... The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) is a trade union center in Jamaica. ... For other uses, see Peoples National Party (disambiguation). ... The Jamaican National Democratic Movement is Jamaica’s main center-right political party. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

For health reasons, Michael Manley stepped down as Prime Minister in March 1992 and was replaced by Percival James Patterson. Patterson subsequently led the PNP to victory in general elections in 1993, in December 1997 and in October 2002. The 1997 victory marked the first time any Jamaican political party has won three consecutive general elections since the introduction of universal suffrage to Jamaica in 1944. The current composition of the lower house of Jamaica's Parliament is 34 PNP and 26 JLP. The JLP won a long-held PNP parliamentary seat in a March 2001 by-election. The NDM, a break away faction of the JLP, failed to win any seats in the 1997 election. Michael Norman Manley (December 10, 1924 – March 6, 1997) was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica (1972 – 1980, 1989 – 1992). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The Right Honourable Percival Noel James Patterson (born April 10, 1935) is the current Prime Minister of Jamaica (since 1992) and is the leader of the Jamaican Peoples National Party. ... el 18 de mayo nacio claudia // 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 2005, JLP leader Edward Seaga (who had headed the party since 1974), announced his resignation from that position. He was succeeded by Bruce Golding, who had been a government minister under him in the 1980s, but who had broken from the JLP to found the NDM and had subsequently returned to the JLP. The Right Honourable Edward Philip George Seaga (born May 28, 1930) was Prime Minister of Jamaica for the Jamaica Labour Party from 1980 to 1989, and served as leader of the opposition 1989 to January 2005. ... Bruce Golding was the founder of the Jamaican National Democratic Movement (NDM). ...

In March, 2006, Portia Simpson-Miller was appointed Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister. She is the first woman in the country's history to hold the position of Prime Minister of Jamaica. Most Hon. ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ...

Since the 1993 elections, the Jamaican Government, political parties, and Electoral Advisory Committee have worked to enact electoral reform, with limited success. In the 1997 general elections, grassroots Jamaican efforts, supplemented by international observers, helped reduce the violence that has tended to mar Jamaican elections. Local elections were held in 1998, when the PNP won a decisive victory. Jamaican law requires that local elections be held every 3 years; elections may be delayed through legislation. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean [1]. // Coated in ice, power and telephone lines sag and often break, resulting in power outages. ...

Executive branch

The 1962 Constitution established a parliamentary system based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, as her representative in Jamaica. The governor general's role is largely ceremonial. Executive power is vested in the Queen, but exercised mostly by the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. In February 2006, Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was elected by delegates of the ruling People's National Party to replace Percival James Patterson at the end of March 2006 when he left office. Mrs. Simpson-Miller is the first female Prime Minister in Jamaican history. Former Prime Minister Patterson held office since the 1992 resignation of Michael Manley. Patterson was re-elected three times, the last being in 2002. The current leader of the opposition is Bruce Golding. The countries of the Commonwealth Realm share the same monarch. ... Elizabeth II in an official portrait as Queen of Canada (on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002, wearing the Sovereigns badges of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary) (born 21 April 1926), styled HM The... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The flag of the Governor-General of Jamaica The Governor General of Jamaica is Jamaicas defacto head of state. ... The Most Honourable Professor Kenneth Octavius Hall, ON, OJ (Born in Lucea, Jamaica April 24, 1941)is the current Governor-General of Jamaica. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ... Most Hon. ... For other uses, see Peoples National Party (disambiguation). ... March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (90th in a leap year). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in U.S. English), is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor; born 21 April 1926) is Queen of sixteen sovereign states, holding each crown and title equally. ... A Governor-General (in Canada always, and frequently in India prior to the abolition of the last monarchy, Governor General) is most generally a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above ordinary governors [1]. The most common contemporary usage of the term is to refer to the... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Alternate meanings in cabinet (disambiguation) A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... The Prime Minister of Jamaica is Jamaicas head of government, currently Percival Patterson. ... Most Hon. ... Michael Norman Manley (December 10, 1924 – March 6, 1997) was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica (1972 – 1980, 1989 – 1992). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Bruce Golding was the founder of the Jamaican National Democratic Movement (NDM). ...

Legislative branch

Parliament is composed of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. Thirteen Senators are nominated on the advice of the prime minister and eight on the advice of the leader of the opposition; as a two-thirds majority of both chambers is needed for major constitutional amendments, this provides a consensus requirement for significant change. General elections must be held within five years of the forming of a new government. The prime minister may ask the governor general to call elections sooner, however. The Senate may submit bills, and it also reviews legislation submitted by the House. It may not delay budget bills for more than one month or other bills for more than seven months. The prime minister and the Cabinet are selected from the Parliament. No fewer than two nor more than four members of the Cabinet must be selected from the Senate. Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... House of Representatives is a name used for legislative bodies in many countries. ... The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government. ... A general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are up for election. ...

Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Jamaica. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Jamaica.

A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues. ... Political parties in Jamaica lists political parties in Jamaica. ... An election is a decision making process whereby people vote for preferred political candidates or parties to act as representatives in government. ... Politics of Jamaica Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Jamaica ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Parliament is the legislative branch of the government of Jamaica. ... For other uses, see Peoples National Party (disambiguation). ... The Jamaica Labour Party is a conservative political party in Jamaica. ...

Judicial branch

The judiciary also is modeled on the UK system. The Court of Appeal is the highest appellate court in Jamaica. Under certain circumstances, cases may be appealed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Jamaica's parishes have elected councils that exercise limited powers of local government. Her Majestys Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. ...

Administrative divisions

Jamaica is divided in 14 parishes: Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland. Jamaica is divided into fourteen parishes (capitals in parentheses)- Clarendon Parish (May Pen) Hanover Parish (Lucea) Kingston Parish (Kingston) Manchester Parish (Mandeville) Portland Parish (Port Antonio) Saint Andrew Parish (Half Way Tree) Saint Ann Parish (Saint Anns Bay) Saint Catherine Parish (Spanish Town) Saint Elizabeth Parish (Black River) Saint...

International organization participation

ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO The Caribbean Community and Common Market or CARICOM was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas which came into effect on August 1, 1973. ... The Caribbean Development Bank is a financial institution which assists Caribbean nations in financing social and economic programs in its member countries. ... Interpol, or International Criminal Police Organization, was established as The International Criminal Police Commission in 1923 to assist international criminal police cooperation. ...

External links

• Island Thresholds, Peabody Essex Museum’s interactive feature, showcases the work of contemporary Caribbean artists and their exploration of identity, culture, and social justice.