The recent resurgence of populist movements and parties has led to a revival of scholarly interest in populism. This volume brings together well-established and new scholars to reassess the subject and combine historical and theoretical perspectives to shed new light on the history of the subject, as well as enriching contemporary discussions. In three parts, the contributors explore the history of populism in different regions, theories of populism and recent populist movements. Taken together, the contributions included in this book represent the most comprehensive and wide-ranging study of the topic to date. Questions addressed include: - What are the 'essential' characteristics of populism? - Is it important to distinguish between left- and right-wing populism? - How can the transformation of populist movements be explained? This is the most thorough and up to date comparative historical study of populism available. As such it will be of great value to anyone researching or studying the topic.

Jamaica is one of a chain of islands -- the West Indian archipelago -- which encircles the Caribbean Sea. Its earliest indigenous people, the Tainos, succumbed to the arrival of western Europeans, inaugurated by the encounter with Columbus in 1494. Spanish rule gave way in 1655 to some 300 years of English colonial rule involving nearly two centuries of plantation slavery. The country finally gained independence in 1962. Jamaica has made some notable contributions in the international arena. Perhaps best known are its contributions in the world of sport, popular music (reggae) and in its development of distinctive forms of dance-theatre and folk music. This wide-ranging volume is a fully revised and updated edition of the work which was first published in 1984.