THE world's eyes will be on Jamaica as its renowned sprinters take centre stage at the 2012 Olympics. Unfortunately, the country's economy has been far less successful than its athletes have. This week's issue of The Economist explores why an island with so many advantages has lagged so far behind the rest of the region. It also includes stories on the political use of Argentina's tax agency and a series of mishaps in equipment purchases by Canada's army.
Readers' comments
The Economist welcomes your views. Please stay on topic and be respectful of other readers. Review our comments policy.
Sort:
Dem too thief and lazy.
We,the Queen and I are not amused by this article about our golden isle, this article could have been written by a crafty Brer Anancy. We have been at the wicket half century but under colonial rule for almost five century, remember Europe plunge into the dark ages after the fall of Rome we are still in the light contributing to world culture with music and dance, sports, tourism, bauxite and coffee and human capital. Economic development cannot be measured only in materialism but in the vibrancy and resilience of a people facing incredible odds, Jamaica's influence on the world is probably a hundred time its size. You see we are not just quick on track but in life to make it.
We are suppose to be doing well not because of our nearness to US but because of our connection to the British Commonwealth one of the largest union in the world. But this did not protect us from geopolitics of the left and right nor east and west nor the unfair trade agreements that deprived developing countries of badly needed funds and made them dumping grounds for surplus goods. Nor the machinations of multinational corporations who hawked their goods and peddle in influencing not always in the interest of developing countries. We ended up in the frying pan of the IMF, our new overlord, because of our desires and dependency on others, yes,lessons learnt from our former colonial masters were too ingrained. You see 50 years ago the colonial masters cut the responsibilty but not their control they left behind lackeys who should hold down the masses and maintain the status quo back there while the brain drain began to take the best of the workforce up north to benefit their economies up there.
Has our flag signifies, "Hardship there are but the sun shineth and the land is green."
So at this time I would like to use this media to express a happy birthday to Jamaica and congratulation for Jamaica for surviving and excelling in its first Fifty years. RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jamaica is not poised for any growth in the near future. Too much bureaucracy in govt. Utility costs are the highest in the region and there is a culture of laziness. Crime is the big elephant in the room.
Harper misled the parliament, what's new?