Provides an overview of the social, economic and political situation in the Caribbean from colonial to post-independence times. Suggests that the difficulties in achieving more diversified, resilient and competitive economies are cultural, political, institutional and administrative. Looks at alternative paths facing it economically, politically and culturally such as a kind of economic semi-colonialism, marginalization and inter-dependence with the rest of the world, the last of which is the most viable. States the case for closer West Indian integration and expresses the need to establish and operate common services which we cannot afford as individual countries.

3/7/00 M2LMGR