- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- February 27, 2011
Question: Will Jamaica ever experience a people-power revolution à la Tunisia and Egypt?
Answer: Yes, when hell freezes over.
Since the first in 1944, Jamaica has held 13 universal adult suffrage general elections. Six of these were won by the party in power, six by the opposition, and in 1949, the incumbent party won the most seats but lost the popular vote. There have been no assassinations, coups, or revolutions. Not once has the legitimacy of an elected government ever been challenged. Post-World War II, no country on the planet can boast a better democratic scorecard.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- October 25, 2009
"A woman we name, so we born lucky!" - Lady Saw.
Over the last three years, 141 Jamaicans have taken their lives, 128 men and 13 women. Jamaica's suicide level is pretty low by world standards. There were 48 in 2008, meaning a national rate of about 1.66 per 100,000, far below say Lithuania's world leading 38.6, Trinidad's 12.8 or the United States' 11.1. Yet while men everywhere kill themselves more often than women, our 10-1 sexual disparity is virtually unprecedented.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- November 15, 2009
When Bruce Golding was National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader, he pledged to eliminate garrisons. Put him in power, and he would end the pernicious system that loads constituencies with party die-hards who violently intimidate opponents. Golding is now prime minister and, since the People's National Party (PNP) outnumbers the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in "hardcore" garrisons by about six to three, he has every incentive to follow through on his words. But his 'No more tribal politics!' promise seems to have been completely forgotten.
But then most Jamaicans, even educated ones who should know better, seem to have a problem with garrisons only when it involves the other side. Patient no care, doctor no care.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- January 21, 2007
Actions speak louder than words. So you have to wonder if, despite all the public lamentations, Jamaicans really want to change anything in this country. Sure, everyone says they want more jobs and less crime. But no one, from top to bottom, seems willing to make even the slightest alteration in their lifestyle to attain any of these goals.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- August 12, 2007
Is Jamaica the world's most exuberant democracy? Only a political globetrotter could say for sure. But our party conferences and meetings must be as electric as any on the planet. And it's not as if we're just discoveringthe joys of choosing our own destiny. Forty-five years of largely free and fair multi-party elections, adhering to the rule of law, and remaining coup- and assassination-free is no mean achievement.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- November 25, 2007
If we learned to shut up and get on with the job and not commentate on everything, our productivity would no doubt soar. Yet, the constant chattering may be one reason we are so good at peacefully changing our leaders.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- April 16, 2006
Dear Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller,
THE FAMED anthropologist Bronislaw Malin-owski considered the principle of legitimacy a universal sociological law. The crucial determinant of legitimacy in his view was the male's public commitment to his child's mother, not the widely varying concept of legality. So let's dispose of the 'out of wedlock' red herring immediately. What matters is not a piece of paper, but the father's willingness to give emotional and material support to his offspring.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- November 26, 2006
They should have talked of cut and glance
described the dance
he did on such or such a day
on what green floor
on what astonished field
Instead, they said he was a gentle man,
praised him as a model for his race,
noted with aplomb he took his place
as Senator; a leader cherished
by his men, in friendship steadfast,
who, in spite of bitter recollection,
loved his country at last
Any clown can play the gentleman.
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- August 8, 2004
IN 1980, the homicide rate in the United States reached an all time high of 10.7 per 100,000, having doubled in 15 years.
There was much 'woe is us' hand wringing. Could nothing be done to stem this seemingly inexorable rise?
- Article
- By Kevin O'Brien Chang
- January 21, 2002
Last week I came across an article entitled “Growth May Be Good for the Poor - But are IMF and World Bank Policies Good for Growth?”. The answer as usual is, it depends who you ask. However the following chart surprised me.