Public Libraries of Suffolk County, New York

The confounding island, Jamaica and the postcolonial predicament, Orlando Patterson

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The confounding island

bibliography

Orlando Patterson

Jamaica and the postcolonial predicament

"Orlando Patterson returns to Jamaica, his birthplace, to reckon with its history and culture. Locals claim to be some of the world's happiest people, and their successes in music and athletics are legendary. Yet the country remains violent and poor. In Jamaica the dilemmas of globalization and postcolonial politics are thrown into stark relief"--, Provided by publisher

Part I. Explaining postcolonial failure: Why has Jamaica trailed Barbados on the path to sustained growth? -- The role of institutions, colonialism, and cultural appropriation -- Why Is democratic Jamaica so violent? -- Revisiting the "democratic peace" thesis -- Were female workers preferred in Jamaica's early economic development? -- Employment, urbanization, and gender among the postcolonial proletariat -- Part II. Three Cultural Puzzles: Why are Jamaicans the fastest runners in the world? -- The institutionalization of athletic prowess -- Why did postcolonial Jamaicans riot at a cricket match against Britain? -- The ritual of cricket in West Indian societies -- Why does globalization not produce cultural homogenization? -- The example of Jamaican reggae music -- Part III. The failures of policy and politicians: why do policies to help the urban poor so often fail? -- A Jamaican case study -- Sad about Manley -- Portrait of a flawed charisma