Jamaica is home of the phrase “be happy, don’t worry,” and is a popular tourist spot that foreigners escape to for a temporary slice of paradise. Given the success of the tourist industry, it is easy to mistake Jamaica as a thriving country with the locals living blissfully in paradise; the clip from “Life and Debt” completely dispels these notions and introduces the negative effects that have developed from free trade policies that were recommended by the International Monetary Fund. International Monetary Fund representatives in the clip present globalization and free trade as a form of economic liberation that would bring Jamaica economic success despite its small size. An IMF representative in the clip states that, “Jamaica is a very small …show more content…
The IMF representative in the clip claims that, “They needed to expand their exports and diminish their imports and the best way of doing that is to make foreign currency more expensive.” Whether done intentionally or not, the only economies that seemed to have prospered from this new relationship and reduced trade barriers are those countries that are already economically sufficient. Judging from the negative effects that befell Jamaica when it reduced its trade barriers, it could be concluded developed countries were looking for new markets to import their goods and set their eyes on Jamaica, a tiny country that they could easily intimidate into submission. In the video clip, vendors complained about the large amounts of foreign fruits and vegetables that were now in their market and stated that these imports were hurting their businesses. While local farmers are failing to find a market for their produce, foreign countries have found a market for their exports in the local supermarkets. As mentioned in the video clip, supermarkets seemed to be doing well with the overseas produce because they are being sold for less than the local produce. The reduction of trade barriers has introduced a new competitor to Jamaican markets that mirrors
Steven Gregory’s The Devil behind the Mirror: Globalization and Politics in the Dominican Republic is an eye-opening text on the impacts of globalization on developing countries. Based in the coastal cities of Boca Chica and Andres in the Dominican Republic, Gregory offers an insight to the negativity that globalization has induced rather than the benefits and hopes it promises. He shows us how the country’s shift into the neoliberal tourism industry has changed people’s lives, specifically the poor. His main focuses are centered on class, race, and gender.
Jessen, Anneke, and Christopher Vignoles. Jamaica: Trade, Integration and the Quest for Growth. Buenos Aires: Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2005. Print
The international financial institutions set up strict conditions for the Jamaican government before issuing the loans. One of those conditions was to reduce trade barriers making it easier and cheap for economic super powers to import goods into the country. However, the integration of Jamaica into the global economy made them easy targets for manipulation by the global superpowers. The cheap and subsidized importations to the country negatively affected local businesses and resulted in increased unemployment, corruption, criminal activities and other vices. The public debt has kept on increasing and consuming more than half of government expenditure leading to insufficient funds to address these social
The influx of tourism provides the money that Antigua desperately needs but not enough for it to survive independently. Antigua stays in a constant state of poverty due to the corruption present where a woman has power because of “her relationship with this high government official,” (Kincaid 12) and is able to amass property and a say in cabinet meetings along with the corruption where one of the richest people in Antigua is a “drug smuggler [who] is so rich people say he buys cars in tens…” (Kincaid 11). When the government of a poor, independent state is corrupt, there is little room for that state to flourish economically without an intervention of some other state. We can see that the last thing Antiguans want is more tourists due to the consumer lifestyle that they bring to the island, but it is the one factor that they need, dooming them to a cycle of barely surviving economically while ignorance plagues the land they call
A way to measure a country’s economy is to look at its gross domestic products. This tells the total value of the goods and services that a country produces. In Jamaica, the economy has always been the main problem for the people. It is based primarily on agriculture, tourism, and bauxite mining. The country is very dependent upon tourism, its main source of foreign exchange. Bauxite mining is the principal source of revenue for the country. Most people do not have the opportunity to go to school and also there are not enough jobs for everybody. On the contrary, the United States is wealthiest in terms of economy. They have abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. Moreover, people have more chances of going to school, and there are more job opportunities for those who graduate as
The economics of Haiti has deceased in the last 4 years after the devastating earthquake that struck it 4 years ago. The Haiti economy has become very poor and one of the poorest country in the south, Central America and Caribbean region making it ranked 24 out of 29 countries in this area and its overall score is below average. Haiti’s economic freedom is 48.1 making it economy the 151st freest country while in the last several years Declines in the management of government spending, freedom from corruption, and labor freedom make its overall score 2.6 points lower than last year. Recovering from the disastrous earthquake in 2010 with the support of the U.S. recovering efforts “Haiti’s post-earthquake reconstruction efforts continue, assisted by substantial aid from the international community. Governing institutions remain weak and inefficient, and overall progress has not been substantial. The parliament has not renewed the mandate of the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, which had been tasked with overseeing reconstruction efforts but was unpopular.”( .heritage.org). The open market of Haiti trade weighted to be 2.1 this is because the lack of tariffs hamper the trade freedom of Haiti. Foreign investors are given national treatment but the investment is small and the financial sector is remained underdeveloped and does not provide any adequate support.
As you can guess, many people do in work within various resorts and beaches in Jamaica; tourism has a overwhelming source of income with about 60% of Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The average worker, if not working in a resort or a beach spot, has a job as a store clerk, worker in retail, supermarket worker; some people in Jamaica will even work for themselves, producing and selling their own crops and some even participate in illegal drug trade as a source of income. The employment rate in Jamaica is slowly declining, many older people of Jamaica are retiring and young people are starting to enter the working world with little education or experience under their belts. Younger workers should not expect to immediately have a high paying and amazing job; training and education if often not the greatest of quality, leaving many unskilled in their work area. The ILO, International Labor Organization has set standards for minimum wage, for a week, he average worker will make about $5,000 Jamaican dollars, which equals around $50 to $100 American dollars, this leads to about 1 million Jamaicans in poverty. IMF reports that Jamaican workers will receive less or equal to $2.50 American dollars a day. Average workers will work 6 days a week, with Sundays as a day off, so about 40 hours a week for the workers will be obtaine...
It is now 51 years since Jamaica gave birth to its independence, however it is like a baby whose umbilical cord was never severed after birth. The baby grows up, undeveloped with limited mobility, still attached to its mother by an extended umbilical cord. This attachment restricts the baby’s movement while giving an uncaring mother a great degree of control; she can impose her will, put unfair demands on the child, withhold food, and take from the child if the child does not conform to her wishes. This metaphor is a depiction of neocolonial control over the island.
Even though the global recession was impactful, tourism has sustained growth by at minimum 4% annually; tourism accounts for 25 percent of Jamaican employment and is 10% of the GDP (Jamaica-travel-secrets.com, 2014). Foreign tourist patrons however are threatening the Jamaican ecosystem with its income dependent activities such as pollution, tailored division of labor, and costal development. These environmental conditions will eventually take a negative sway in the tourism industry because travelers will no longer desire a destination with high pollution or they will be compelled to pay even less to come to the country which ultimately will affect the Jamaican economy
Through a brief history, to a look into the present day culture and society of Jamaica my fascination with the island bares true meaning. I proudly support American tourism through Jamaica in hopes of fueling the struggling economy. Speaking form experience Jamaica is an island filled with deep cultural roots in a growing society of unique natives. Reggae music proudly defines its people, culture and tropical land. In time my plans to return to the tropical paradise stand strong. Whether you’re a rigid woodsman or the delicate resort type Jamaica will enlighten your mind and sooth your vacationing needs. “One love, one heart, come to Jamaica and feel alright”, is a quote that displays the easy going free spirits of Jamaican people. One cant help to leave the island without saying “yeah mon”, while feeling the Jamaican’s “ don’t worry, be happy” attitude towards life.
According to the ‘World Tourism Organization’ (UNWTO), the tourism industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, as it is estimated that by the year 2020, 7.8 billion people (roughly a quarter of the world’s population) will embark on a foreign trip (Bennett & Gebhardt 15). The Caribbean is said to be the most economically dependent on this industry, as the ‘Caribbean Tourism Organisation’ states that the industry forms the “economic backbone of most countries in the Region”(“Caribbean Tourism Industry” 1), implications for what tourism’s affect on the region have arisen and have prompted further research into matter. Since the 1970’s research regarding tourism in the Caribbean has attempted to determine the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts of tourism. Much of the research has found that there are in fact many negative adverse affects, and Jackson’s article asserts that, “Governments often commit money and other resources to support the growth and development of tourism and often turn a blind eye to its negative impacts” (574). The reason why tourism looks attractive (and thus turn a blind eye) to these Caribbean countries is because of “its potential to foster GDP growth, to create employment, to increase foreign exchange earnings, and attract capital investment” (Daye, Chambers, and Roberts 2). This paper will overview such impacts by first discussing a case study conducted in Jamaican resort town, Ocho Rios, with Sheere Brooks discussing the observed social, cultural and economical consequences of Jamaica’s reliance on the tourism industry and will finally look at tourism in relation to capitalism, with Robert Fletcher suggesting in his article that the tourism industry (and more specifically...
Tourism involved the movement of people from many different geographical locations. This industry also has several other businesses in which individuals and companies are profiting directly and indirectly. Those that are benefitting are Craft workers, tour companies, hotels and farmers are some of the few. To clarify Turner, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), (2014) made mention that “Leisure travel spending (inbound and domestic) generated 90%of direct travel and tourism GDP in 2013 (JMD 242.2bn) compared with 9.4% for business travel spending (JMD 25.0bn).” furthermore tourism has been Jamaica’s top source of revenue because of its association with remittance. These benefits that enter the country will aid in benefiting native people and the government. With enough revenue, the country can develop in terms of building a new school, roads, and airports. Another way in which Jamaica is benefited due to its brand is through the manufacturing sector. The ability to export the goods and services across the world with the logo “made by Jamaica” generate income into the country. According to Ajagunna and Crick (2014) the country of Jamaica has been seen as a place to travel for middle-income owners who enjoyed the verdant tree and lush
Fletcher, I. (2011). Crumbling of Free Trade – And Why it’s a Good Thing. Retrieved from
So then it is safe to say that globalization affects many aspects of our lives and therefore should not be taken lightly. It is the tool that all country should use to help the economy and political system within their nation. It is the sole responsibility of the government and the citizens of both Jamaica and Greece to study the possibilities and embark upon them if they choose to.
Globalization, love it or hate it, but you can’t escape it. Globalization may be regarded as beneficial from an economic and business point of view, but however cannot be perceived the ditto when examined from the social sciences and humanities side of it. Globalization can be argued as a tool for economic growth, advancement and prosperity through co-operation between the developed and developing countries. The pro-globalization critics argue that the benefits that globalization brings to developing nations surpasses or outcasts the negative impacts caused by globalization and may even go a step further to state that it is the only source of hope for developing nations to prosper and stand out. However, the real question to be asked is as to what extent are the positives argued upon without taking into account the negative aspects of globalization towards developing countries. Moreover, how many developing countries out of many are exactly benefiting or even prospering from globalization is another question to consider. Therefore, my paper will dispute that indeed growth and advancement provided by globalization to developing countries is beneficial in short-term, but in the long-run, it will only bring upon negative impacts and challenges due to the obstacles involved such as exploitation of labour and resources, higher increase in poverty, and effects of multi-national corporations on local businesses and the economy, and to an extent the effects on the developing country itself.