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In today’s world of globalization, do efforts at Caribbean integration still have any relevance for Caribbean development, or should we all aspire to be citizens of the global village?

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In today’s world of globalization, do efforts at Caribbean integration still have any relevance for Caribbean development, or should we all aspire to be citizens of the global village?

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In today’s world of globalization, efforts at Caribbean integration are still relevant to the development of the region. In fact regional integration and globalization work hand in hand for the greater good of the Caribbean region. Caribbean Integration, as a means to facilitate globalization and both working together to contribute to the development of the region.

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To define development in this context one must take into account a myriad of elements that influence the quality of life of a people. Development is a multifaceted concept that in essence refers to; a country’s, (in this case, a region’s) economic and social advancement by way of management of natural and human resources as a means to generate and sustain wealth and in turn, enhance the standard of living of its people (Macintosh).

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The Caribbean & Integration and Globalization

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The Caribbean & Integration and Globalization

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The Caribbean region can be defined by its history of colonization as; “the area that saw the impact of European colonization, slavery, indentureship and the plantation system” (Gooden 20). The Caribbean region saw its demise by European colonization through the depletion of its natural resources and the disruption of its society. For years succeeding independence, the nations that constitute this region have sought to homogenize their interests and resources in an attempt to recover from the affliction imposed on them by colonization; a process described as regional integration. Regional integration has and continues to contribute to the development of the Caribbean in many ways through establishments such as the University of The West Indies (UWI) and  the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), to name a few. However, This process has also facilitated the ability to participate in globalization which in-turn further contributes to the development of the region. Globalization is defined as, “the process whereby ‘flows of trade, finance and information between countries are broadened and deepened so that they function as one global market” (Mohammed 268).

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How Caribbean Integration & Globalization work together

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How Caribbean Integration & Globalization work together

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Due to exploitation by colonization, the countries that make up the Caribbean do not possess a great deal of resources and therefore cannot participate as proficiently as other nations of the world in globalization. However, through regional integration, these nations can pool together their resources and function as one, larger and more capable unit in the global market contributing to the development of the region.

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The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), was established in 1973 with the intention of providing Caribbean countries with greater diplomatic and bargaining power in their relations with other countries. This political and economic organisation established among the nations of the region a common market, allowing for greater trade opportunities both in and out of the region. “Regionalism, then, was felt to give opportunities to Caribbean countries trying to make an impact on a globalising world.”(Mohammed 293).
On their website, the CARICOM says that their organization rests on four pillars:

1. Economic integration

2. Foreign policy coordination

3. Human and social development

4. Security

(CARICOM).

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Regional Integration also facilitated the Caribbean nations’ participation in globalization through sports with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). Established in the 1920s, the WICB is the governing body of professional cricket in the Caribbean region. (CARICOM) A sport that the Caribbean people became familiar with during the age of colonialism where it was used against them by the Europeans, to establish dominance. The WICB allowed for the development of a highly skilled team to compete against other countries as the population of recruitment and sponsorship towards the team came from over a dozen nations. In its prime, the West Indies Cricket team brought notoriety, respect, a sense of pride and even revenue to the Caribbean nations, successfully competing internationally against other countries.

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In education, the establishment of the University of the West Indies (UWI) provided relief to the region from its heavy reliance on its former master, Europe, for tertiary education. The University which was established in 1949, in Jamaica, now has campuses across the Caribbean in Trinidad and Barbados (Mohammed 294). This contributes to the development of the region as well as facilitates participation in globalization. The institution's foreign exchange program allows for students of the university to study at universities in other countries outside of the region that are in affiliation with the University of the West Indies. This in turn contributes further to the development of the region as these students can be exposed to new cultures, ideas and skills that may have implications to the Caribbean society. The university's center of language learning at the St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad also facilitates globalization through its association with multiple language learning foundations across the globe. This contributes to development as it provides opportunities for citizens wanting to learn a foreign language to achieve an authentic learning experience in the country of origin which they can then return to the Caribbean with and teach to interested successors.

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On its own, regional integration contributes to the development of the region through organisations like the Caribbean Trade Association (CARIFTA), which contributes in economic development by establishing free trade and providing grants and assistance to countries within the region. And, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), which contributes to development in education, providing the region with an education more representative and useful to them than what they were provided with prior during colonization. Globalization also contributes, on its own, to the development of the region. Through Transnational Corporations TNCs like British Petroleum (BP), providing employment and wealth; and the World Bank which offers financial assistance in the form of loans to contribute to development. However, together, Caribbean Integration and Globalization can achieve much more than they can on their own for the region.

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Globalization through Regional Integration 

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Globalization through Regional Integration 

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Globalization through regional integration has proven to be beneficial to the development of the Caribbean region. However, more can be done. Today, many nations of the Caribbean region are still considered "developing countries." Cambridge dictionary defines a developing country as, "a country with little industrial and economic activity and where people generally have low incomes" (Cambridge Dictionary). A lot more development has to take place before the region can assert itself. More efforts at globalization through regional integration should be established. A Caribbean Olympic team would undoubtedly excel in the area of sporting.

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“Developing Country” Dictionary.cambridge.org, 2019

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/developing-country

Macintosh, Jason. "Concepts and Indicators of Development." Jamaica Gleaner, 2017

https://www.pressreader.com/

Gooden, Deighton. “The Historical Caribbean” Definitions of the Caribbean, 2010

https://www.slideshare.net/egfred/definitions-of-the-caribbean

Mohammed, Jennifer. “Globalisation and Development” Caribbean Studies For CAPE Examinations Second Edition, Macmillan Education, 2015

Mohammed, Jennifer. “Issues In Caribbean Development” Caribbean Studies For CAPE Examinations Second Edition, Macmillan Education, 2015

Mohammed, Jennifer. “The Integration Movement” Caribbean Studies For CAPE Examinations Second Edition, Macmillan Education, 2015

"West Indies Cricket Board"

https://caricom.org/about-caricom/who-we-are/institutions1/west-indies-cricket-board

“Who We Are; Pillars of Integration” Caribbean Community CARICOM

https://caricom.org/about-caricom/who-we-are