ABSTRACT
The year 1962 was a momentous one for the small island-state of Jamaica. After over three centuries of colonial control, Jamaica finally achieved its political independence. In rural Jamaica over three-quarters of all farms were under different acres. The rapid accumulation of power in Jamaica by foreign corporations contributed to the country's political and economic difficulties. Jamaica's racist and elitist social structure added to social tensions. The socioeconomic problems afflicting Jamaica were perhaps borne most heavily by the young. The issues raised by the Jamaican case are of fundamental importance. The fundamental issue, one that is central to the Jamaican case, as well as others like it, is whether a middle-class party of reform can carry out the political and administrative tasks essential to the implementation of radical change at the grass roots. This chapter presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the book.
