P.J's Book
Oscar Wilde speaks of Thought and Language as the instrument of the artist.
WHEN YOU READ THIS BOOK YOU WILL SEE BOTH OF THESE
ELEMENTS EXEMPLIFIED BRILLIANTLY
IT GIVES US AN INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF A MAN WHOSE
VISION AND POLITICAL SAGACITY HAS BEEN MOST
INFLUENTIAL IN MAINTAING A BALANCE IN JAMAICAN AND
CARIBBEAN AFFAIRS OVERE A MOST TURBULENT PERIOD.
THE LAST 2 DECADES HAVE WITNESSED SUCH CATACLYSMIC
CHANGES IN THIS WORLD SUCH AS THE FALL OF THE SOVIET
EMPIRE — The abolition of the Berlin Wall-THE formation of multinational
blocks-The effects of globalization etc.
Each of these changes has brought about directly or otherwise significant
changes not only to the substance of governance in our small countries but in
the style and application of our forms of governance.
Throughout all this period Mr.P.J.Patterson (P J) to all and sundry as been
Prime Minister of Jamaica .He has been in the very center of the storm and
been acknowledged generally as well as by his colleagues as a leading
statesman.
From this vantage point the letters in this book assiduously collected reveal a
consistency of ideas whether his audience is on the home front as to the
U.W.I.,the House of Parliament or abroad as to the United Nations- the
Caricom Heads of Government in Thinidad-Hotel investorsin the Bahamas
or elsewhere.One can always discover a distinctive strain of regional support
and critical analysis.
The selected speeches in this book lays the foundation of legitimacy of one
who has been in the very eye of the storm and who delivers with force and
eloquence the personal experience of one who is not merely a theoretician
or idle spectator.
Not only has Mr.Patterson been Prime Minister of Jamaica for over 20 years
he has been acknowledged by his colleague ministers throughout the region
as our leading spokesman in international affairs.
His manner has never been that of the charismatic leader but that of a quiet
self-effacing leader whose delivery is rather that of one seeking cooperation
4*- han that of confrontation. He is a visionary and an original thinker as shown
in those of his letters dealing with the relationship between small states and
larger bodies.His views on globalization reveals much thought and
experience pointing out its benefits as well as its dangers.
His fundamental views on social justice tare seen in his addresses to the
United Nations asa well as his firm and consistent advocacy for the
administration of Justice in the Caribbean Court of Appeal or his address in
Rome at the World Food Trade Summit in Rome.
P.J has been careful tto observe the change over the years in the relationship
in leadership style between 1 eadership and lead brought about by the rapid
strides of informatioin and education.where the community share equally the
knowledge and information which used to be the preserves of central
leadership.He has consequently wwith great charm and sublety adjusted his
style to that of inclusion rather exclusion/He encourages dialogue and
criticism rather than the dictatorial approach.His is the method And style of
invitation to participation.
This book is a revelation of his views and his style.
As a historical reference it fulfills a great need especially in a country of
few publication and short memories where facts are often outweighed by
fiction and where fantasy seems to override the truths of history. In fact
very little effort is made to record the events and features of our time.in
matters of public concern.
As a triumph of historical value it does not so much detail the biography as
itdemonstrates through the careful selection of Mr. Paattersaon;s own words
the problems,events and the actual situations along with the whys and
wherefores of governmental approach and the very processes of thought
determining government,s action.
As a result or should I say ,nevertheless the book has fulfilled a great need
and firovided an accurate profile of an outstanding and commited
Caribbean leader whose wisdom and political sagacity has enabled him
tide within the storm of turbulence and change experienced by a small
sFiip.He has weathered the changing tides of international relationships at the
same time as he has taken great pains to cover domestic needs such as
housing and land ownership.It reveals a man whose unswerchiling
commitment to egalitarianism and social justice haave plaqb e him in the
pantheon of those who have enabled us at home or abroad to hold high
Jamaaaica's flag'
Dudley Thompson Collection
