Michael Manley

Michael Norman Manley, ON, OM ( born December 10, 1924 Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica; † March 6, 1997 in Kingston, Jamaica) was from 1972 to 1980 and again from 1989 to 1992 Prime Minister of Jamaica. During his first term, Jamaica took a short-term shift to a pro-Soviet foreign policy.

Manley comes from one of the most influential family in Jamaica. His father, Norman Washington Manley was the Chief Minister, his cousin Hugh Shearer Prime Minister and his wife Edna Manley, a well-known artist and activist. He was also related to the former Prime Minister Alexander Bustamante.

Manley's party, the People 's National Party (PNP ) won the 1972 parliamentary elections and clearly presented as the strongest faction and the new prime minister. Manley campaigned for an improvement in living conditions for the poor, he issued numerous social laws to finance he had several farms, especially in the lucrative mining sector nationalize. Other companies passed through purchases in the public domain. During his tenure, the democratic structures were preserved and the free market economy could, albeit with restrictions, continue to exist. For this reason, the new constitutional structure can not be called a socialist, but is partially perceived abroad. Also contributed to the close friendship Manley to Fidel Castro and the close diplomatic relations with Cuba. Despite intense negotiations, relations with the International Monetary Fund broke off and Jamaica lost seemingly secure loans.

Due to the lack of money from international sources and the stronger drug trafficking on the island, the crime rate increased more and more. 1976 state of emergency was imposed, the same year a coup attempt against the government was uncovered before it could come to be executed. Bands, which were close to one of the two major parties, to street fights provided for supremacy in individual districts, particularly in Kingston. The rising violence and the still widespread poverty left the PNP lose the 1980 elections clearly. Nevertheless, Manley could again opt for the the 1989 election. This term of office was quieter than the previous ones, for reconsideration social reforms he renounced largely. In March 1992, he resigned for health reasons, Percival J. Patterson became his successor.

In 2002 he was granted the award of the Order of the nation 's second highest honor posthumously the Jamaican State.