The Decline of Partisan Political Violence

• Author: Amanda Sives
• Profession: Lecturer in Politics at the University of Liverpool
• Pages: 118-142

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118 ELECTIONS, VIOLENCE AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN JAMAICA

The Decline of Partisan

Political Violence

CHAPTER

five

Introduction

Following the 889 murders during the election year of 1980, there was a

dramatic decline in levels of partisan political violence. In the general elections

held in 1983 (not contested by the PNP), 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2002, murder

rates reached double figures in only one campaign. Given the enormity of the

violence and its impact during 1980 this was a welcome development, although

it occurred in the context of soaring violent crime. Unlike the detailed historical

chapters that have preceded it, this chapter explores the factors behind the

decline in politically motivated violence. It follows two key arguments. The first

examines the specific efforts made to address the problem through an examination

of the reforms undertaken by the electoral authorities, civil society and political

parties. In doing so, an acknowledgment that millions of Jamaican dollars and

hours of time have been poured into creating a more transparent and effective

electoral process which has attempted to wrest control back from those who

have subverted it, is central. This is followed by a more general discussion

which focuses on the changing political environment and in particular, the

ways in which clientelist patterns and partisan identity have been restructured

following the adoption of neo-liberal policies in the 1980s and 1990s. In line

with this, the chapter explores the rise of other forms of violent crime, particularly

associated with drugs and gangs. How this has affected the nature of the

relationship between gangs, political representatives and residents within the

garrison communities is the focus of the discussion. The chapter has a dual

purpose: to examine the positive initiatives which have been introduced over

the last ten years and on a more general level, to explain the wider environment

in which partisan political violence has declined.

The rapid escalation of violence during the late 1970s was the result of a

THE DECLINE OF PARTISAN POLITICAL VIOLENCE 119 119

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number of factors, internal and external, which aligned at a particular moment.

There was nothing inevitable about the increase rather there were a set of

specific issues, in addition to the historical precedent of partisan political violence,

which exacerbated the conflict. The likelihood of that level of partisan political

violence continuing after 1980, in a very different set of political and economic

circumstances, was minimal. In addition, the fact the PNP accepted their defeat

in 1980, lessened the possibility of further conflict. Second, the decision of the

PNP to shift their politics from the left to the centre deflated the main thrust of

JLP political discourse which had sought to portray the PNP as communist.

Linked to that, the thawing of the relationship between the USA and USSR

leading up to the end of the Cold War reduced the possibility of external

involvement. Also, as is shown later in the chapter, both political parties were

fearful of the return of political violence which had spiralled out of their control

in 1980. For those who had engaged as foot soldiers in the 1980 election, and

who continued to be involved in violent activities, there was a shift of focus

towards more lucrative forms of violence — namely those involving drugs. As

political polarisation declined in intensity, and demand for political ‘fighters’

decreased, this alternative option opened up. This does not signify partisan

political violence was no longer a concern of the political parties or the wider

society. While there is an obvious difference between the 1980 election and

those that succeeded it concerns continue to be expressed about the link between

political parties, violence and election campaigns into the new millennium. It is

therefore important to reiterate at the beginning of this discussion that

intimidation, politically motivated violence and the threat of politically motivated

violence continues to have a very real presence in certain communities.

The discussion begins with a focus on positive initiatives emanating from

civil society and supported by the political parties which sought to improve the

electoral process in order to minimise the potential for violence and fraud. The

key impetus for political parties to engage in electoral reform (after 1993) and

for civil society to become involved in elections (from 1986 onward) was the

1980 election. The trauma of that electoral period needs to be placed at the

centre of any discussions around electoral reforms. As one interviewee stated ‘I

think even those within the political parties who were adherents to, supporters

of, believers in violence, it shocked them, wow can we survive that again?’1 It is

a key reference point for all actors: political parties, electoral authorities, the

private sector and citizens. For example, in pronouncing on the 1986 local