THE EDITOR, Sir:

Jamaicans have just celebrated 50 years of Independence from their former colonial master - the then Great Britain, which was later named United Kingdom.

Under the British regime, it was their military might which dictated the rule of law. Jamaicans, inclusive of Africans and their descendants and later the Indian and Chinese indentured labourers and their descendants, were all subjected to the rule of their colonial master. Indeed, as time progressed and many territories around the globe developed, these 'military powers' were pressured to adopt a more socially acceptable way of controlling power.

The ambition for supremacy and power remain a significant factor by which some world leaders are guided. Yes, indeed, the traditional 'willy-nilly' attacks on vulnerable states are no longer acceptable, so control by the use of science and technology has been the alternative way of exercising power.

Jamaica, as a developing country, imports approximately four times the value of its exports. Sophisticated mobile phones, televisions, computers, motor vehicles and household appliances are just a few of the wide variety of items that we import from developed states such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and China.

We have been brainwashed to think that importing cheaper products from industrialised countries is the perfect way to go. Even simple things such as food, clothing, footwear and tyres are imported in abundance.

While we continue to be a major consumer of foreign-based products, our local production continues to decline and we slump deeper and deeper in poverty. This economic practice has contributed to a massive national debt of $1.7 trillion.

It is no surprise that the International Monetary Fund has been dictating certain terms and conditions under which we operate our economy. This is consistent with the theory of the great sociologist, Karl Marx, who suggested that "owners of the means of production will always control the wealth and the people".

It is now high time that we adopt a more effective way of breaking free from financial colonialism.

NOEL JULIUS

jules2712@ yahoo.com