Independence movements in the Caribbean: withering on the vine?

Abstract

Several countries in the Caribbean are not yet independent. However, none wish to become so, despite politicians in several of them initiating moves towards that end. This contribution evaluates these attempts and explains why they failed. The key factor is that most citizens feel that the present governance arrangements are preferable to independence. Nevertheless, many on the islands challenge the status quo, and thus there has been debate over the extent to which governing structures should be reformed. Interestingly, strong motivating factors for change have been inter-island antipathy and rivalry, and insular particularism, rather than any desire to break-away from the metropole.

Keywords:

• Caribbean
• overseas territories
• Nevis
• autonomy
• insular particularism
• good governance