A breadth of fresh vision is now required.

First, we proudly acknowledge our socialist heritage, which places upon us a special obligation to work for social equity and to protect the poor, the weak and the oppressed.

The P.N.P’s thrusts must continue its efforts to achieve greater social equity, that is expanded opportunities for mass participation in decision-making at the national and community level, and at the workplace. Equally, the policies pursued must be directed at ensuring that all Jamaicans have a stake in the economic life of the country and that production is subject to social control, regulation, and specific objectives.

The touchstone of our mission continues to be embodied in our Democratic Socialist tradition. As we face the future, we continue to be guided by the historic commitments of our past, which will in turn provide the essential energy to drive our efforts to construct the quality
society which we seek.

Among these commitments are:

• The Party’s historic commitment to the principles of Democratic Socialism, rooted in the pursuit of social justice;
• The Party’s commitment to an activist state and to a "stake-holder economy" in which the state acts to balance the interests of the various social groups, always giving priority to the interest of the poor and the disadvantaged;
• The Pa rty must be both "pragmatic" and "principled", a pragmatism guided by a moral vision that seeks to deal with the new realities posed by globalisation, and principles rooted in our fundamental purposes.

As we seek to grapple with the new challenges of the present era, we will
be guided first and foremost by the overarching touchstone of our
Democratic Socialist tradition.

"These commitments revolve around three principles, namely our
insistence on:

• the widening of political power;
• expanding social opportunity;
• providing a framework for more people to gain a stake in the economic process."
  

                                                                                                     Michael Manley

In contrast to traditional capitalist market fundamentalism, or the various forms of extremist rejections of the market, the P.N.P. recognizes a legitimate place for the market in allocating economic resources. However, our way emphasizes the primacy of humanistic values and takes a pragmatic approach in ensuring that these values are manifested in all spheres of Jamaica’s economic, social, and political undertakings.

We must also continue to promote the importance of social values and community structures. We believe that social capital is no less important than economic capital and that the "market" is not the hand of God, which never errs.

Equally, our policies must reflect the determination to realize the highest moral ideals, despite the limitations and constraints of competing interests and a sometimes-hostile international environment.

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Century 21
• The New Mission
• Globalisation
• The Imperatives of a New Internationalism
• Our Vision
• The Responsible and Caring State - that we seek:
• Role of the Party
• Going Forward