Caribbean Integration Essay -- essays research papers

CARIBBEAN POLITICS and SOCIETY Caribbean Integration Rationale for Integration. The Caribbean remains fragmented both economically and politically as a result of competition and conflict among the European powers. Fragmentation is in part the product of a long history as separate colonies of a metropolitan power or powers. It is also in part the psychological effects on people of separation by sea. The case for regional integration is both simple and irrefutable. First we are small and we need to achieve economies of scale. We need to achieve such economies in markets, production, the mobilisation of regional capital for regional use, university education, science and technology, sea and air transport to mention some areas. We therefore need to pool as far as is feasible our markets and our financial human and natural resources. We need a single unified and truly common market for goods and services, capital, and trained manpower. In addition we need to coordinate not only the development of our productive sectors but also our economic policies. And we need both a common external tariff and a common set of external trade, economic and other policies. Very basically put, we must come closer together because even the more economically advanced and biggest of us are mere specks of dusts in international terms. To admit that we are specks of dust does not however mean that we should sink ourselves in passive apathy in economic and international matters; rather we should get together to forma an object with more mass and more weight so that our presence could be more easily seen and more effectively used in the promotion of our own interests. We are small states by world and even Hemispheric standards, we are economically and politically weak individual units. We must avoid the temptation if at any given time our individual national economy is more prosperous than those of our other partner states, to be so arrogant as to forget that our economic situation may be suddenly reversed and that therefore we will soon need close links with our partner states in matters concerning both the intra-regional and extra-regional spheres. West Indian history abounds with instances of countries suffering sudden reversals of their economic fortunes. Advantages of Integration.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  a stronger voice internationally (a)  Ã‚  &nbs... ...ess and Hurdles: A European View, Kingston: Kingston Publishers. West Indian Commission (1992) An Overview of the Report of the West Indian Commission: Time for Action, Barbados: West Indian Commission. Issues to Think about: What are your reasons for Caribbean Integration. Is the integration process within CARICOM marred by cynicism, lack of political will and self-aggrandisement of the political directorate? Comment with regard to the issues confronting the realisation of the CSME. What role can the OECS play in strengthening the Caribbean Community? Can the goal of integration be realised without the building of trust? What is the role of the ACS (Association of Caribbean States). Do you think the ACS will enhance or undermine CARICOM? Questions to Consider: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"What God have divided no man can put together†. Discuss in relation to Caribbean integration. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Assess the approaches to integration in the region and consider what have been the main failures and benefits of the movement. What else needs to be done and why? 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Should Commonwealth Caribbean countries politically integrate?