
Politics in an Island State
Wills O. Isaacs and Jamaica's Struggle for Development
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Politics in an Island State
Wills O. Isaacs and Jamaica's Struggle for Development
About this book
Jamaica is most well-known for its popular culture, crime and violence. Government, the state, is viewed as a malign force. In Politics in an Island State noted anthropologist Diane Austin-Broos brings an alternative view of Jamaica, its culture and governance. This history of Jamaica, and more pointedly, the history of politics in Jamaica, is brilliantly told through the biography of Wills O. Isaacs. Never the leader of his party – the People’s National Party – Wills was active in politics from the 1930s and was nonetheless a prominent and notorious figure.
Informative and entertaining, this biography of a “second-tier” political leader departs from the usual heroic style and addresses the challenges of a fledgling social democracy in the mid-twentieth century. Decolonization and the decline of sugar, the Great Depression and two world wars frame the challenges of the time. Flanked by rural-to-urban migration, unemployment and industrialization, Jamaica’s struggles into the twenty-first century and the conduct of government – the successes, failures and foibles – are presented and viewed through a more nuanced lens.
Leaders shape history, though they seldom dictate its direction. Viewing history through their eyes affords a dynamic account of the structures and events that underpin a society’s development. Politics in an Island State will find a ready audience with readers generally interested in the Caribbean, but even more so with sages – both academic and unconventional – of anthropology, history, foreign affairs, sociology, political science, development studies and political economy.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Synopsis
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Abbreviations
- SECTION I: THE EARLY YEARS
- 1. A Political Awakening
- 2. Becoming an Activist
- SECTION II: FIGHTING FOR THE PARTY
- 3. In the KSAC Council
- 4. In the Streets and Lanes
- 5. The Split of 1952
- SECTION III: MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- 6. Assuming Government
- 7. Promoting Development
- 8. Cartels and Monopolies
- SECTION IV: FACING FEDERATION
- 9. Warning Signs
- 10. The Hard Work of Politics
- 11. Referendum and Electoral Defeat
- SECTION V: THE LATER YEARS
- 12. A Policy Conundrum
- 13. Generational Change
- 14. An Ambivalent Departure
- Conclusion
- Appendix: In His Own Words
- Bibliography