Democracy and Governance in Jamaica: an Assessment
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Democracy and Governance in Jamaica: An Assessment Assessment Team: Team Leader Jan Stromsem – Democracy and Governance Center, USAID Dennis Darby – USAID/Jamaica Ivelaw Griffith – Florida Int. Univ., Management Systems Int. Richard Loudis – USAID/Jamaica Zeric Kay Smith – Management Systems International Report Prepared by: Management Systems International & United States Agency for International Development May 30, 2001 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... 1 II. Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 6 III. Team Objectives / Assessment Methodology.................................................................................. 8 Team Objectives .............................................................................................................................. 8 Assessment Methodology ................................................................................................................ 9 IV. Key Political Problems and Issues................................................................................................... 9 Political Culture and Political Parties .............................................................................................. 9 Economic Condition ...................................................................................................................... 13 The Drama of Drugs ...................................................................................................................... 14 V. Five Variables................................................................................................................................16 Consensus: ..................................................................................................................................... 16 Rule of Law: .................................................................................................................................. 17 Competition: .................................................................................................................................. 25 Cross-Cutting Issues in Civil Society ............................................................................................ 31 Competition Within Government .................................................................................................. 32 Inclusion: ....................................................................................................................................... 33 Good Governance : ........................................................................................................................ 34 VI. Common/Recurring Elements........................................................................................................ 37 Problem Identification ................................................................................................................... 38 Socio-economic conditions............................................................................................... 38 Crime and violence ........................................................................................................... 39 Governance....................................................................................................................... 39 Private Sector.................................................................................................................... 40 Civil Society: current capabilities and potential role....................................................... 40 Political and Social Goals.............................................................................................................. 41 Development of a common vision .................................................................................... 41 Planning and Implementation ........................................................................................... 41 Consensus building........................................................................................................... 42 Approaches and Methodology ....................................................................................................... 42 Documentation of Existing Success Stories ..................................................................... 42 Role of the International Community ............................................................................... 43 Role of NGO’s and CSO’s................................................................................................ 44 VII. Strategic Framework...................................................................................................................... 44 Potential Intervention Arenas and Filters ...................................................................................... 44 Strategic Framework...................................................................................................................... 47 VIII. Potential Tactical Interventions ..................................................................................................... 48 The “Process” ................................................................................................................................49 Development of a vision for Jamaica................................................................................ 50 Implementation of existing plans...................................................................................... 50 Building consensus ........................................................................................................... 50 Civil Society Development and Strengthening................................................................. 51 H:\INCOMING\USAIDJamaica-10-18-2001\1\DG ASSESSMENT.DOC USAID/Jamaica DG Assessment ii Illustrative programmatic interventions......................................................................................... 52 Strengthening rule of law.................................................................................................. 52 Civil Society Strengthening/Citizen Empowerment......................................................... 54 Strengthening CSO Sector Horizontal and Vertical Linkages.......................................... 54 Community-Based Activities............................................................................................ 55 Civic Education................................................................................................................. 55 Best Practices and Lessons Learned ................................................................................. 55 IX. Appendices..................................................................................................................................... 57 Appendix A: Five Assessment Variables ..................................................................................... 57 Appendix B: Democracy and Governance Institutions and Actors .............................................. 58 Appendix C: Some Major Democracy and Governance Legislation............................................ 67 Appendix D: Judicial Reform Efforts to Date .............................................................................. 69 Appendix E: Institutional Architecture......................................................................................... 71 Appendix F: Selected Readings on Democracy and Governance in Jamaica............................... 79 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Much is right with Jamaica. This feeling of optimism results from a 40 year history of democratic institutions, a general sense that modest progress in areas of education and health have been noted over the past few decades, but most importantly is the remarkable resilient spirit of the Jamaican people evident to even the most casual observer. Multiple examples of citizens working to improve their communities at both micro and macro levels are evident. From neighborhood watch groups committed to reducing crime in poor neighborhoods, to grass-roots community associations focusing on environmental sustainability in rural areas, to partnerships between the state and youth associations to provide technical training to those in need of job opportunities, there is quite a bit of good news in Jamaica today. Yet, while there is much right, Jamaica still faces serious challenges to democratic development including further deepening of democratic habits and responsibilities among citizens; achieving a healthy and sustainable balance of power between and among political parties and state institutions; as well as between the state, the private sector, and civil society. Significant aspects of this include, improving police community relations; the efficiency of the justice system; human rights; and the need to reduce the influence of clientalistic politics on the structures of government, while reaching consensus on the basic reforms needed to set Jamaica aright. This report explains and interprets some of the chief democracy and governance challenges facing Jamaica, with a view to suggesting engagement areas USAID/Jamaica may consider in order to improve the nation’s governance climate. Overall the assessment team came away from its work with a sense that Jamaica is at an important political cross-roads