Volume XVI – Number 1
Franklin W. Knight
Abstract: This article argues that political trends in the Caribbean are not indicative of a conservative shift, outlines what challenges Caribbean countries will face in the coming decade, and argues that the US should adopt a more liberal policy toward the region to facilitate stability. In the late 1970s, analysts believed that a conservative political movement was sweeping the region. Such a diagnosis indicates a misunderstanding of Caribbean politics and peoples. For example, in Jamaica, although the victory of the relatively more conservative candidate, Edward Seaga, over the more liberal incumbent, Michael Manley, to become the country’s Prime Minister may seem like a move to the right, such as presumption is incorrect as ideology was only one of the factors in the election. Also, although relatively more conservative than his predecessor, Seaga is still quite liberal. Moreover, states such as Cuba, Haiti, Grenada, and Suriname will continue to be politically restrictive and preserve the established leadership infrastructure, thus immobilizing any movement to the right along the ideological spectrum. Moving forward, the challenges for Caribbean states will concern increasing the output of goods and services, improving quality of life, reducing the income disparity between the rich and the poor, and maintaining an open political system. To ensure regional stability, the US should only prop up governments in the region who have popular support. Otherwise, domestic revolt similar to that seen in Iran and Nicaragua may occur. Furthermore, America should provide economic assistance, investment, and facilitate the entry of Caribbean products into American markets to foster economic stability as it will contribute to regional goodwill toward the US. American foreign policy must anticipate future challenges in the region to bring harmony to the hemisphere.
Key Words: Caribbean, 1980s, Regional Stability, Jamaica
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