Manley and Seaga

This chapter explores a shift in foreign policy between the almost diametrically opposed policies of the Manley and Seaga administrations during the 1970s and 1980s. These stark differences in approach were driven as much by the wider structural considerations of Cold War politics as they were influenced by variations the personal philosophies, approaches and convictions of the two leaders. Jamaican foreign policy under Michael Manley (1972–1980) featured high drama, idealism and Third World solidarity. This approach was partly a response to a tumultuous international political economy including the collapse aspects of the Bretton Woods system, the demise of the gold standard, and OPEC oil shocks. The bold leadership approach taken by Manley resulted in Jamaica’s relatively high profile and status in international relations through prominence in the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and intensification in efforts in anti-apartheid issues. This chapter also explores Manley’s engagement Caribbean and Latin American alliances. Edward Seaga’s leadership recalibrated Jamaica’s foreign policy to the previous firm alignment with the West. Chapter 3 explores Seaga’s strategic engagement with Reagan and the political rewards gained through increased inflows of aid, improved IMF terms and trade preference through the Caribbean Basin Initiative. We also examine Jamaica’s involvement in key political developments in Grenada and Haiti.