Jamaican Independence

Jamaica gained its independence in 1962.   “The thinking, and the policies, of the political leadership were heavily influenced by the writings of the economist W. Arthur Lewis on the subject of economic development. Lewis argued that, given the threat of overpopulation, the West Indies had to industrialize because agriculture was not capable of absorbing projected population growth.” The country experienced rapid economic growth between 1950 -1970 and a boom in tourism with most of the profits going to foreign investors.  Despite the advances the disparity in wealth distribution grew and most of the profit of growing industries landed in the pockets of foreign investors. Imports of goods and services also outpaced exports.  “Foreign ownership dominated the pillars of the economy: bauxite, sugar, tourism, the financial institutions and the public utilities.”