Second Manley and Patterson to the Present

This chapter continues exploring Jamaica’s foreign policy in relation to Prime Ministers and their influence on and response to issues of sovereignty and two main existential threats. It traces the main issues during 18 consecutive years of PNP government from Manley’s defeat of Seaga in 1989. Manley started this post-Cold War era reformed and conciliatory in his approach to the West. He was succeeded by Patterson in 1992, followed by the leadership of Simpson-Miller from 2006. The JLP regained control in 2007 with Golding as Prime Minister; with a transfer of leadership Holness in 2011. The JLP’s rule was punctuated by one term of a Simpson-Miller led government between 2012 and 2015. The JLP has since been in power under the Holness administration. Chapter 4 explores the debate on whether the judicial committee of the Privy Council should remain Jamaica’s final appellate court or if it should be replaced by the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice. It also examines the initially contentious matters of the Shiprider agreement and the invitation of international observers. These matters hinge on the balance between the needs of a small developing state for cooperation and acquiescence to norms on the one hand, and asserting sentiments of national pride and sovereignty on the other. Chapter 4 also discusses Jamaica’s foreign policy responses to the environment and climate change and to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors explore recurrent themes of reconciling issues of sovereignty with the welfare of citizens and Jamaica’s need to engage in the international community as a free and democratic society. Overall, this chapter illustrates how successive Jamaican governments have prioritized the promotion of economic development as a foreign policy goal.