On the 13th of March in 1979, the People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) was proclaimed in Grenada after the Marxist-Leninist New Jewel Movement overthrew the state in a socialist revolution, with Maurice Bishop serving as Prime Minister.

After coming into power, Bishop stated the goals of the NJM: "We definitely have a stake in seeking the creation of a new international economic order which would assist in ensuring economic justice for the oppressed and exploited peoples of the world, and in ensuring that the resources of the sea are used for the benefit of all the people of the world and not for a tiny minority of profiteers".

The new government developed an ambitious social program, initiating a literacy campaign, expanding education programs, worker protections, and establishing farmers' cooperatives.

During the PRG's reign, unemployment was reduced from 49% to 14%, the ratio of doctors per person increased from 1/4000 to 1/3,000, the infant mortality rate was reduced, and the literacy rate increased from 85% to 90%. In addition, laws guaranteeing equal pay for equal work for women were passed, and mothers were guaranteed three months' maternity leave.

The government suspended the constitution of the previous regime, ruling by decree until a factional conflict broke out, ultimately leading to Maurice Bishop's assassination. President Ronald Reagan launched an invasion of Grenada a few weeks later, on October 25th, 1983.

"We have attempted to show in this Manifesto what is possible. We have demonstrated beyond doubt that there is no reason why we should continue to live in such poverty, misery, suffering, dependence and exploitation...The new society must not only speak of Democracy, but must practise it in all its aspects. We must stress the policy of 'Self-Reliance' and 'Self-Sufficiency' undertaken co-operatively, and reject the easy approaches offered by aid and foreign assistance. We will have to recognise that our most important resource is our people."

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  • HarryLime [any]
    ·
    6 months ago

    Tolkien said he "rather detested" Dune and I get it. Nobody in Dune seems like they're having any fun. There's six books and I don't think anyone has fun or chills out in any of them. It's all conniving and scheming and killing, never chilling or vibing. People hang out and have good time in LOTR. Those Hobbits know how to have a good time and throw a party. Can you imagine a Dune character chilling with the homies? Maybe Stilgar sometimes but IDK. Dune has the most killer hallucinogen in the universe and everyone takes it to get an advantage over someone or be more efficient at their math job or prophetmax like a Silicon Valley psycho.

    • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
      ·
      6 months ago

      Tolkien didn't like anything newer than the battle of Hastings. It really shouldn't surprise anyone that he hated Dune. Tolkien likes Beowuld, Arthur, western mythology but not the romans and his own works. And is pretty grouchy about anything else. If you read On Fairy Stories, essentially his manifesto, what he wants from a fantasy story is the opposite of Dune. Also he'd be soooo pissed once he read there was an ORANGE catholic Bible.

      • HarryLime [any]
        ·
        6 months ago

        Not completely true, he read a lot of sci-fi. He disagreed with a lot of sci-fi authors philosophically, but he liked speculative fiction generally.

        Also he'd be soooo pissed once he read there was an ORANGE catholic Bible.

        lol yeah

        • GalaxyBrain [they/them]
          ·
          6 months ago

          I can recall him saying he read a lot of it but didn't end out enjoying most 'modern writing in general in the same sentence, which is pretty typical of Tolkien. "I read everything published in the genre and I think it's kinda mid and don't like modern stuff" could be his form letter. He did like Asimov quite a bit as well as Death of Grass. My two book nerd worlds have been going on about the Dune thing since the new movie came out and click bait articles sprang up. And it really shouldn't be a big shocker, Dune is more or less the antithesis of Tolkien in all but world building.

    • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
      ·
      6 months ago

      Tolkien didnt like dune because he was a tradcath and Dune did a big poopy all over religion. His "rather detested" remark is him seething.