THE EDITOR, Sir:IN FRIDAY'S issue of your paper you reported that one of the country's economists and statisticians, Dr. Omri Evans, spoke on the present state of the Jamaican economy and suggested one or two ways to foster growth. Dr. Evans noted that last year in his address, he posed the following question for consideration:
"Is the perceived macro-economic stability of the Jamaican economy sustainable, and at what costs and for how long?" While this is an important question, in my view a more important question would be, "Based on the state of perpetual crisis the Jamaican economy is in, what original developmental model can I propose to deal with economies like Jamaica's to put them on a path of sustainable growth and development?"
ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT STATE
It is important that any model starts with an analysis of the present state of the economy, bearing in mind its historical development. But there is no shortage of analyses on this. My frustration is that these elite academics do not seem to go much further than analysis. Their points of reference always seem to be theories and developmental models of the last centuries and of the advanced capitalist countries.
Apart from Arthur Lewis' 'Industrialisation by Invitation' I do not remember seeing any bold ideas and initiatives emanating from the universities and think tanks in recent times. The nearest I see anyone coming to doing this was the late Michael Manley. The fact that the 1970s in some quarters may be regarded as an economic "disaster" does not in my view detract from the fact that someone was willing to put forward bold ideas and attempt to operationalise those ideas.
My challenge to the academics is to move beyond analysis and suggestions to manage the economy more efficiently and come forward with bold ideas that they are willing to test. Will they take up the challenge? I am willing to be part of any discussion to make this a reality.
I am, etc.,
LEON A. BARRETT Sr.
abar@sprint.ca
Mississauga
Ontario, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
