Michael Manley (December 10th,1924- March 6th, 1997)

Micheal Manley was perhaps Jamaica's most popular leader. He served three terms as Prime Minister (1972- 1980) and (1989- 1992) and is one of the most important political figures in Caribbean History. Michael Manley was the son of the famous Jamaican sculptor Edna Manley and national hero Norman Manley. Norman Manley was the founder of Jamaica's People's National Party (PNP) and a former Prime Minister (1959-1962). Michael Manley was known for his passion for 'Third World' issues and his informal style of leadership which is often contrasted to his father's formality.

Michael Manley was appointed to Jamaica's senate in 1962 and in 1967 he was elected to the House of Representatives. Manley succeeded his father as president of the PNP in 1971 and became Prime Minister in 1972 when the party won elections. He was the successor of the unpopular Prime Minister Hugh Shearer who was also his cousin. He was generally loved by the working class who affectionately nicknamed him 'Joshua', after the Biblical prophet, because he instituted policies for redistributing wealth and recognized trade unions. Manley became a champion of the less- developed nations' non- aligned movement. In 1973 he became a co- founder of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom).

Although he initially supported socialism and defied U.S. policy in many ways, one being the cultivation of close ties with Cuba, in his later years he embraced a more capitalistic outlook and worked to better his U.S. relations. This change was no doubt sparked his loss of the 1980 election to the conservative Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP). In 1989, having adopted a more moderate outlook, Manley was reelected and was Prime Minister until ill- health forced him to resign in 1992.

He died in 1997 and was given a statesman's funeral. Although they did not, in fact,know him personally, I know many Jamaicans for whom Manley's death had a deeply personal effect. My grandmother and her friends mourned for weeks. Despite his failures, they considered him their 'Joshua'. The late Michael Manley still invokes great passion of either love or hate. Most people's views on Manley today are centered around his decision to sign that first agreement with the IMF, although, in my opinion, he did not have a choice. His other achievements are often overlooked.