Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch as head of state represented locally by a Governor-General. Executive power rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, while the bicameral Parliament consists of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. Political life since independence has been dominated by two main parties, the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party, which have alternated in government through regular, competitive elections.
The country's legal system is based on English common law, and its judiciary retains the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London as its final court of appeal, though debate continues over transitioning fully to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Jamaica is an active member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and other regional and international bodies, and it has periodically confronted governance challenges related to public security and institutional capacity.
More from Jamaica
- Jamaica: Culture and Society
Culture & Society - Jamaica: Economy and Trade
Economy & Trade - Jamaica: Geography and Environment
Geography & Environment - Jamaica: History
History