Life and Debt: Documentary
Write a 1000-word essay on what has been the negative impact of globalization on Jamaica at both
the economic and political levels with examples in the documentary Life and Debt by Stephanie
Black. Focus on the role of the major political and economic actors and institutions at both the
domestic and international level. Incorporate and highlight concepts theories and frameworks from
international relations.
In the documentary Life and Debt, director Stephanie Black examines the impact of globalization
on Jamaica. Globalization has led to the exploitation of Jamaica's natural resources and the
undermining of its domestic industries. It has resulted in the erosion of the country's sovereignty
and the increasing influence of international actors on its domestic policies. In this essay, I will
examine the negative impacts globalization has on Jamaica at an economic and political level.
One of the major economic actors involved in the globalization of Jamaica is the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the 1980s, the Jamaican government turned to the IMF for
loans in order to address the country's economic crisis. In return, the IMF imposed structural
adjustment programs(SAPs) in Jamaica, which included the liberalization of the economy and the
privatization of state-owned enterprises. These policies had a detrimental impact as it devaluates
the Jamaican economy, it’s currency, and their positive rights rendering them vulnerable to a
competitive global market . As industries were privatized, many workers lost their jobs and wages
declined. This decline of jobs and wages led Jamaicans to work in factories that underpay them for
the work they produce. To highlight just how companies exploit free zone labour, take Tommy
Hilfiger for example. They are often a more expensive mainstreamed brand than H&M or Forever
21. The clothing is assembled in the Kingston free zone in Jamaica by U.S material, the companies
underpay the labour taken to produce the clothing, and then the company take it out of the free
zone and sell it for a tenfold of the price overseas. This creates a zero-sum game as capital outflow
goes towards the global north whereas Jamaica is always suffering a loss of income . The
liberalization of the economy also led to an influx of cheap imported goods, undermining the
competitiveness of domestic industries, and contributing to a lack of economic diversification.
Furthermore, the privatization of key industries such as telecommunications and electricity
led to higher prices for essential services, making it difficult for many Jamaicans to access these
services. This is demonstrated in the documentary through the story of a Jamaican woman named
Miss Lou, who struggles to pay her electric bill and is forced to rely on a generator for power.
At the political level, the influence of international actors on Jamaican domestic policies
has led to a lack of accountability and transparency in the country's political system. In the
documentary, Black interviews a former minister of finance who admits that the IMF dictated
economic policies to the Jamaican government, with little regard for the needs of the Jamaican
people. Regarding the IMF's lending programs, in order to receive financial assistance from the
IMF, a country must agree to implement certain economic policies and reforms, which can
sometimes be politically controversial. For example, the IMF may require a country to reduce
government spending, raise taxes, or implement structural reforms, which can be difficult for a
government to implement and may lead to political opposition. The implementation of economic
policies and reforms lead Jamaica have to continuously seek financial assistance and therefore into
a chronic trade deficit. An example of political opposition is seen as riots erupted in the streets
after the climb of high gas prices was the breaking point for Jamaica.
This lack of accountability has contributed to corruption and the concentration of power
in the hands of the global north. This is demonstrated in the documentary through the story of a
Jamaican farmer named Wilfred, who is unable to get a loan from the government to expand his
farm, despite the fact that the government has provided loans to large foreign corporations.
In conclusion, the negative impact of globalization on Jamaica has been significant at both
the economic and political levels. The country's incorporation into the global economy has led to
the exploitation of its natural resources, the undermining of its domestic industries, and the
erosion of its sovereignty. The major political and economic actors involved in this process, such
as the IMF and foreign corporations, have prioritized their own interests over the needs of the
Jamaican people. To address these negative impacts, it will be necessary for Jamaica to reassert
its sovereignty and implement policies that prioritize sustainable growth and the well-being of its
citizens.