Mandle, Jay R. creator text 1990 monographic Notes that until well into the 20th century, West Indian economic history was decisively influenced by its plantation economy, and with it Caribbean social institutions were promotive of large-scale, labour-intensive export agriculture. As a result, a deep bias away from technological progress was present, inhibiting West Indian economic development, and this trend is likely to continue unless the ability to build and/or modify equipment used in production becomes the focus of regional development efforts. 3/7/00 M2LMGR 20260716043306.0