Politics and Democracy in the Caribbean

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Questions and Answers

What parliamentary system do most Anglophone Caribbean countries retain?

They retain the Westminster-Whitehall model.

How does Haiti's political system differ from that of the Anglophone Caribbean?

Haiti adopts the French Republican system with some alterations.

What forms the dual executive structure in many former British colonies?

A Prime Minister and the Monarch of England as Head of State.

What is the primary influence on the moral codes of the Caribbean?

The moral codes are heavily linked to Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What do patterns of immigration during colonial rule contribute to in the Caribbean?

They contribute to the region's racial and ethnic diversity. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the intermixing of different racial and ethnic groups in the Caribbean?

Creolization. Signup and view all the answers

What principle did colonial rule rely on that affected societal unity in the Caribbean?

The principle of divide and rule. Signup and view all the answers

What issue do many Caribbean nationals experience due to Westernization?

Many suffer an 'identity crisis'. Signup and view all the answers

What shift in terminology occurred in the twentieth century regarding the Caribbean?

The term 'Caribbean' gained dominance over 'West Indies' or 'Antilles'. Signup and view all the answers

According to Girvan, what are the four dimensions used to define the Caribbean?

They include the island chain in the Caribbean Sea, the Caribbean Basin, an ethno-historic zone, and a transnational community or diaspora. Signup and view all the answers

What role did colonialism play in shaping the Caribbean's historical development?

Colonialism linked the Caribbean's history to themes of settlement, slavery, indentureship, and the plantation system. Signup and view all the answers

How is the Caribbean region characterized in terms of cultural diversity?

The Caribbean is characterized by a rich cultural diversity stemming from its racial and ethnic plurality. Signup and view all the answers

What languages are prevalent in the Caribbean, and how do they reflect its history?

The Caribbean has official languages derived from colonial powers and numerous distinct creole languages. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the concept of fragmentation in the Caribbean context?

Fragmentation refers to the existence of one Caribbean with many fragmented loyalties and national identities. Signup and view all the answers

In which areas geographically does the broadly defined Caribbean include?

It includes the Antilles, northern South America, the Atlantic coast of Central America, and Bermuda. Signup and view all the answers

What were the characteristics of the Indigenous Period in the Caribbean?

It was characterized by communal subsistence cultures and disorganized settlement patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary economic focus of the plantation system established during the colonial period in the Caribbean?

The primary economic focus was the production of cash crops for export. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the significance of the Haitian Revolution in the context of the post-colonial period.

The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was significant as it was one of the first successful slave revolts leading to political independence. Signup and view all the answers

How did colonialism in the Caribbean exhibit hegemonic characteristics?

Colonialism was hegemonic due to the dominance of one racial group over others and the establishment of social systems that reinforced racial superiority. Signup and view all the answers

What role did economic immigration schemes, such as slavery and indentureship, play during the colonial period?

These schemes were fundamental in supplying labor needed for the plantation economy. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss one feature of colonialism that led to uneven development in the Caribbean.

Uneven development occurred due to the dependence of colonies on metropoles for economic resources and wealth extraction. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the colonial legacy influences current government models in the Caribbean.

Current government models reflect patterns established during colonial rule, including bureaucratic traditions and centralized governance. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'ethnocentric' in the context of colonialism in the Caribbean?

Ethnocentricity refers to the demonization and denigration of other cultures to justify the subjugation of those groups. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and explain one impact of the centralized government established during colonial times.

The establishment of a centralized government replaced fragmented Indigenous communities, leading to a more uniform governance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of politics according to Geoffrey Ponton and Peter Gill?

The primary focus of politics is the way we understand and order our social affairs, particularly in allocating scarce resources. Signup and view all the answers

How do Rod Hague and Martin Harrop define politics?

They define politics as the activity through which groups reach binding collective decisions by reconciling differences among members. Signup and view all the answers

What key question does Harold Lasswell pose regarding politics?

Harold Lasswell asks, 'Who gets what, when, where, and how?' Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes formal politics from informal politics?

Formal politics occurs within established institutions, while informal politics happens outside formal settings, such as casual interactions among individuals. Signup and view all the answers

According to Trevor Munroe, what are the key components of politics?

The key components include selection of leaders, acquisition of decision-making power, and conflict reconciliation within a community. Signup and view all the answers

How is politics defined by Goodin and Klingemann?

Politics is defined as the constrained use of power to organize society. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the allocation of resources significant in political contexts?

Allocation of resources is significant because it affects power distribution and control within a society. Signup and view all the answers

What role does legitimacy play in the control of resources?

Legitimacy provides the justification for individuals or groups to control or access certain resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module One

Key topics include politics, the Caribbean, development, underdevelopment, freedom, and democracy.

What is Politics?

Politics is the way societies understand and organize social affairs, particularly the allocation of scarce resources.
It involves the processes and negotiations for access to resources, allocation of resources, power and control over resources, and the legitimacy to control or have access to resources.
Different definitions of politics include the activity of groups reaching binding decisions through reconciling member differences (Hague & Harrop, 2013), the process of "who gets what, when, where and how" (Lasswell, 1936), and decision-making, encompassing both formal and informal aspects (Munroe, 2002).
Politics also concerns the selection of leaders, their acquisition and use of power, and their authorization for goals, and the reconciliation of conflict within a community.

Formal vs. Informal Politics

Formal politics involves interaction and decision-making within formal institutions.
Informal politics occurs outside of formal settings, such as among friends, in classes, at home, or at work.

Defining Politics

Goodin and Klingemann (1996) define politics as the constrained use of power to organize society.
These definitions emphasize the distribution of power to achieve some form of control or order. Other definitions include:
- Politics, as a branch of knowledge, is concerned with political activity and behavior.
- The study of the state.
- Politics is about "who gets what, when and how"
- An empirical enquiry, or a study of how power is shaped and shared. With the state, organization and systems are stressed. Emphasis on power leads to more realistic analysis of influence and authority.
- The organized power of one class oppressing another.
- All that has to do with the forces, institutions and organizations in a state that are recognized as having the final authority. This looks at the common good, internal peace and well-being.

Defining the Caribbean

The definition of the Caribbean has evolved over time and reflects external influences and internal currents.
The insular Caribbean was the locus of rivalry between European powers.
The 'Caribbean Basin' concept was linked to 20th-century US expansionism, encompassing Central American countries (e.g. Costa Rica, Guatemala).
Girvan (2000) argues the notion is not only invented, but continuously reinterpreted based on external and internal currents.
Other definitions include:
- An island chain located in the Caribbean Sea
- An ethno-historical zone or socio-cultural area
- A transnational community (diaspora)

General History of the Caribbean

The regions indigenous period saw Pre-capitalist societies with communal and subsistence cultures.
Indigenous people were negatively affected by European contact through diseases and poor treatment.
The colonial period is characterized by the arrival of European powers (Spanish, English, French, Dutch)
The establishment of a plantation system led to economic immigration schemes, including slavery and indentureship.
The relationship between colonies and metropoles spanned almost 500 years.
The post-colonial period is a time of decolonization, marked by the resistance of subjugated peoples
This process started with the Maroon Resistance (1655-1796).
The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804).
The Latin American Wars of Independence (1808-1826).
The Cuban War of independence (1895-1898).
Political Independence in the Commonwealth Caribbean (1962-1983).

The Features of Colonialism in the Caribbean

Hegemonic: Dominance of one racial group over others, establishing systems to maintain racial dominance (including Pro-slavery ideology).
Ethnocentric: Negative portrayal and depiction of other cultures to justify subjugation.
Exclusionary: Restriction of non-white groups from social, economic, and political power.
Capitalistic: Driven by profit and the commodification of resources, including labor.
Uneven development: Colonies relied on metropoles, extracting wealth to help develop metropolitan areas.
Monocultural: Colonial economies focused on the production of a single export crop.
Centralized government: Replacement of the fragmented indigenous communities with a unitary government.

The Colonial Legacy

European Bureaucratic Tradition: Establishment of the systems and processes of public administration by the Europeans. This included public offices, taxes, courts, public schools, prisons, and armies.
Legal System: The Anglophone Caribbean adopts common law, the French Caribbean adopts the Napoleonic code, and a tiered court system was established, along with the retention of European legal language and customs.
Models of Government: Reflect patterns of colonial occupation. The Anglophone Caribbean typically retains the parliamentary system.
Constitutional Monarchy: Former British colonies largely retain dual executive structures (e.g. Prime Minister and Monarch of England).
Intermarriage of Church and State: Caribbean societies have had a connection between church and state.
Pluralism: Immigration patterns during colonialism caused racial and ethnic diversity.
- Note the large percentage (73%) of Africans in the Caribbean.
- Other groups such as East Indians, Chinese, Syrians, Portuguese, Lebanese, and Irish also arrived.
- Europeans came for various reasons.
Creolization: The mixing of different racial and ethnic groups leads to the unique Caribbean multiculturalism.
Fragmentation: Colonial "divide and rule" strategies fragmented communities.
Westernization: Colonizers imposed their culture, often marginalizing or destroying local cultures.
Economic underdevelopment: Colonial powers extracted resources prioritizing their own development over welfare in the colonies.
- This caused long-term issues—indebtedness, mass poverty, lack of development, external dependencies, and limited economic diversity.

Any Positives?

Democracy: Colonial resistance has influenced many principles of Caribbean democracy (e.g. bargaining, negotiation, social movements).
Civil Service: Stable and orderly bureaucracies were established.
English language: Is a universal language, providing a comparative advantage to English-speaking Caribbean countries in terms of trade and global commerce.
Note: English language is also a tool of neocolonialism, as speaking English could influence an individual's status.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of politics, development, and democracy as they pertain to the Caribbean. This quiz covers definitions of politics, the role of leaders, and the dynamics of resource allocation within societies. Test your understanding of these fundamental political principles.