Editing Jamaica (section)

==Government and politics==
{{main|Politics of Jamaica}}
{{further|Foreign relations of Jamaica|Republicanism in Jamaica}}
[[File:King Charles III (July 2023).jpg|thumb|[[Charles III|King Charles III]]]]
[[File:Parliament.jm.jpg|thumb|Inside the [[Parliament of Jamaica|Jamaican Parliament]] ]]

Jamaica is a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]] and [[constitutional monarchy]].<ref name="CIA World Factbook – Jamaica"/><ref name="EBJ">{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Jamaica |title=Encyclopedia Britannica – Jamaica |access-date=29 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930100130/https://www.britannica.com/place/Jamaica |archive-date=30 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The head of state is the [[King of Jamaica]] (currently [[King Charles III]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen and Jamaica |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Jamaica/Jamaica.aspx |url-status=dead |publisher=The British Monarchy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920160534/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Jamaica/Jamaica.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2012}}</ref> represented locally by the [[Governor-General of Jamaica]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4923.asp |title=The Monarchy Today: Queen and Commonwealth |access-date=25 June 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607011458/http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4923.asp |archive-date=7 June 2007}}</ref><ref name="CIA World Factbook – Jamaica"/><ref name="EBJ"/> The governor-general is nominated by the Prime Minister of Jamaica and the entire Cabinet and then formally appointed by the monarch. All the members of the Cabinet are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister. The monarch and the governor-general serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their [[reserve power]]s for use in certain constitutional crisis situations. The position of the monarch has been a matter of [[Republicanism in Jamaica|continuing debate]] in Jamaica for many years; currently both major political parties are committed to transitioning to a republic with a president.<ref>Rob Crilly, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/jamaica-unveils-plan-to-ditch-queen-as-head-of-state/ "Jamaica unveils plan to ditch Queen as head of state"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729204338/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/16/jamaica-unveils-plan-to-ditch-queen-as-head-of-state/ |date=29 July 2019 }}, ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', 16 April 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.</ref><ref>[http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20150912/editorial-monarchy-and-beyond "Editorial: The Monarchy And Beyond"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729203341/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20150912/editorial-monarchy-and-beyond |date=29 July 2019 }}, ''[[The Jamaica Gleaner]]'', 12 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2016.</ref>

Jamaica's current [[Constitution of Jamaica|constitution]] was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaican legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act, 1962, which was passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], which gave Jamaica independence.<ref name="EBJ"/>

The [[Parliament of Jamaica]] is [[Bicameralism|bicameral]], consisting of the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Members of the House (known as Members of Parliament or ''MPs'') are directly elected, and the member of the House of Representatives who, in the governor-general's best judgement, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House, is appointed by the governor-general to be the prime minister. Senators are nominated jointly by the prime minister and the parliamentary [[Opposition (parliamentary)|Leader of the Opposition]] and are then appointed by the governor-general.<ref name="EBJ"/>

The [[Judiciary of Jamaica]] operates on a [[common law]] system derived from [[English law]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations]] precedents.<ref name="EBJ"/> The court of final appeal is the [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]], though during the 2000s Parliament attempted to replace it with the [[Caribbean Court of Justice]].{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

===Political parties and elections===
Jamaica has traditionally had a [[two-party system]], with power often alternating between the [[People's National Party]] (PNP) and [[Jamaica Labour Party]] (JLP).<ref name="EBJ"/> The party with current administrative and legislative power is the Jamaica Labour Party, after its 2020 victory. There are also several minor parties who have yet to gain a seat in parliament; the largest of these is the [[National Democratic Movement (Jamaica)|National Democratic Movement]] (NDM).

===Military===
{{Main|Jamaica Defence Force}}
[[File:FN FAL DA-SD-04-01067.jpg|thumb|right|Jamaican soldiers training to fire the [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle]] in 2002]]
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the small but professional military force of Jamaica.<ref name="CIA World Factbook – Jamaica"/> The JDF is based on the British military model with similar organisation, training, weapons and traditions. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending on the arm of service. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at Up Park Camp or JDF Training Depot, Newcastle, both in St. Andrew. As with the British model, NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for speciality training in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}

The JDF is directly descended from the [[British Army]]'s [[West India Regiment]], which was formed during the colonial era.<ref name="jdfhistory">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Defense Force History|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background2.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025200223/http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background2.php|archive-date=25 October 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The West India Regiment was used extensively throughout the [[British Empire]] in policing the empire from 1795 to 1926. Other units in the JDF heritage include the early colonial Jamaica Militia, the Kingston Infantry Volunteers of WWI and reorganised into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in World War II. The West Indies Regiment was reformed in 1958 as part of the [[West Indies Federation]], after dissolution of the Federation the JDF was established.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Origins {{!}} JDF.org The Official Website of The Jamaica Defence Force|url=https://www.jdfweb.com/history/|access-date=2021-09-21|language=en-GB|archive-date=21 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921031952/https://www.jdfweb.com/history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) comprises an [[The Jamaica Regiment|infantry Regiment]] and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit.<ref name="JDFstructure">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Defense Force General Information|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background3.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025200228/http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background3.php|archive-date=25 October 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The infantry regiment contains the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (National Reserve) battalions. The JDF Air Wing is divided into three flight units, a training unit, a support unit and the JDF Air Wing (National Reserve). The Coast Guard is divided between seagoing crews and support crews who conduct maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defence-related operations.<ref name="cgroles">{{cite web|title=JDF Coast Guard Roles|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/coast_guard/cg_roles.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511104441/http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/coast_guard/cg_roles.php|archive-date=11 May 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The role of the support battalion is to provide support to boost numbers in combat and issue competency training in order to allow for the readiness of the force.<ref name="csbattalion">{{cite web|title=The Combat Support Battalion (Cbt Sp Bn)|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/combat_Support/CSB_home.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=10 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008022534/http://jdfmil.org/Units/combat_Support/CSB_home.php|archive-date=8 October 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The 1st Engineer Regiment was formed due to an increased demand for military engineers and their role is to provide engineering services whenever and wherever they are needed.<ref name="engineerhistory">{{cite web|title=1st Engineering Regiment History|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/engineers/er_history.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511104425/http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/engineers/er_history.php|archive-date=11 May 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The Headquarters JDF contains the JDF Commander, Command Staff as well as Intelligence, Judge Advocate office, Administrative and Procurement sections.<ref name="jdfhq">{{cite web|title=Headquarters Jamaica Defence Force (HQ JDF)|url=http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/hq_jdf/hqjdf_home.php|publisher=Jamaica Defense Force|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125090433/http://jdfmil.org/Units/hq_jdf/hqjdf_home.php|archive-date=25 November 2010|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

In recent years the JDF has been called on to assist the nation's police, the [[Jamaica Constabulary Force]] (JCF), in fighting drug smuggling and a rising crime rate which includes one of the highest murder rates in the world. JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighbourhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role. In early 2005, an Opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This has not garnered support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No Plans To Merge JCF And JDF – Minister Chang – Jamaica Information Service |url=https://jis.gov.jm/no-plans-to-merge-jcf-and-jdf-minister-chang/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2017, Jamaica signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |archive-date=6 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2024 the AP reported that "20 soldiers and four police officers are scheduled to arrive in Haiti to support the UN-Kenya lead mission and they would provide command, planning and logistics support." Jamaica's PM had pledged a total of 170 soldiers and 30 police officers, but said that all would not deploy at once.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-10 |title=Jamaica to deploy a limited number of soldiers and police to help fight gangs in Haiti |url=https://apnews.com/article/jamaica-police-soldiers-haiti-gangs-mission-f3d04bd20847bdba3a53f3a1c8a1a8d6 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{main|Parishes of Jamaica}}

Jamaica is divided into 14 [[Parishes of Jamaica|parishes]], which are grouped into three historic [[Counties of Jamaica|counties]] that have no administrative relevance.<ref name="EBJ"/>

In the context of [[local government]] the parishes are designated "Local Authorities". These local authorities are further styled as "Municipal Corporations", which are either city municipalities or town municipalities.<ref name="localgovernemtn">{{cite web |title=Local Government Act, 2015 |url=http://www.localauthorities.gov.jm/sites/default/files/resources/local_governance_bill_2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913220934/http://localauthorities.gov.jm/sites/default/files/resources/local_governance_bill_2015.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2016 |website=localauthorities.gov.jm |access-date=17 January 2018}}</ref> Any new city municipality must have a population of at least 50,000, and a town municipality a number set by the Minister of Local Government.<ref name="localgovernemtn"/> There are currently no town municipalities.

The local governments of the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrews are consolidated as the city municipality of Kingston & St. Andrew Municipal Corporation. The newest city municipality is the Municipality of Portmore, created 2003. While it is geographically located within the parish of St. Catherine, it is governed independently.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="2" style="background:#bfb; text-align:;"|'''[[Cornwall, Jamaica|Cornwall County]]'''
| style="background:#bfb; text-align:center;"|<small>Capital</small>
| style="background:#bfb; text-align:center;"|<small>km<sup>2</sup></small>
| colspan="2" style="background:#fbb; text-align:center;"|'''[[Middlesex, Jamaica|Middlesex County]]'''
| style="background:#fbb; text-align:center;"|<small>Capital</small>
| style="background:#fbb; text-align:center;"|<small>km<sup>2</sup></small>
| colspan="2" style="background:#ffa; text-align:center;"|'''[[Surrey, Jamaica|Surrey County]]'''
| style="background:#ffa; text-align:center;"|<small>Capital</small>
| style="background:#ffa; text-align:center;"|<small>km<sup>2</sup></small>
|-
| 1
| [[Hanover Parish, Jamaica|Hanover]]||<small>Lucea</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;450</small>
| 6
| [[Clarendon Parish, Jamaica|Clarendon]]||<small>May Pen</small>||<small>1,196</small>
| 11
| [[Kingston Parish, Jamaica|Kingston]]||<small>Kingston</small>||<small>25</small>
|-
| 2
| [[Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica|Saint Elizabeth]]||<small>Black River</small>||<small>1,212</small>
| 7
| [[Manchester Parish, Jamaica|Manchester]]||<small>Mandeville</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;830</small>
| 12
| [[Portland Parish, Jamaica|Portland]]||<small>Port Antonio</small>||<small>814</small>
|-
| 3
| [[Saint James Parish, Jamaica|Saint James]]||<small>Montego Bay</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;595</small>
| 8
| [[Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica|Saint Ann]]||<small>St. Ann's Bay</small>||<small>1,213</small>
| 13
| [[Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica|Saint Andrew]]||<small>Half Way Tree</small>||<small>453</small>
|-
| 4
| [[Trelawny Parish, Jamaica|Trelawny]]||<small>Falmouth</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;875</small>
| 9
| [[Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica|Saint Catherine]]||<small>Spanish Town</small>||<small>1,192</small>
| 14
| [[Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica|Saint Thomas]]||<small>Morant Bay</small>||<small>743</small>
|-
| 5
| [[Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica|Westmoreland]]||<small>Savanna-la-Mar</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;807</small>
| 10
| [[Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica|Saint Mary]]||<small>Port Maria</small>||<small>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;611</small>
|
| || ||
|}
{{clear}}
{{Jamaica parishes imagemap}}