The world today can be viewed as a global village. Globalization is the spread of products, technology, information, and jobs across national borders and cultures. In economic terms, it describes an interdependence of nations around the globe fostered through free trade (Bird). Caribbean integration is the process by which two or more Caribbean countries agree to co-operate and work closely together to achieve peace, stability and wealth (“Independence and Regional Integration”). Both globalization and Caribbean integration are important as they allow for unity and free trade among countries. Although there are many benefits that come with Caribbean integration and globalization, there are also consequences. This blog will seek to demonstrate the positive and negative effects of being part of the global village and Caribbean integration and illustrate the role that they both play in today’s world as they are equally important. 

            Caribbean integration is relevant to large extent as there are various ongoing efforts toward maintaining and promoting integration. One example of this is CARICOM. The Caribbean Community and Common Market that consists of fifteen states. The objectives of the Caribbean Community are to improve standards of living and work; the full employment of labor and other factors of production; accelerated, coordinated and sustained economic development and convergence; expansion of trade and economic relations with third States; enhanced levels of international competitiveness; organization for increased production and productivity; achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage; effectiveness of Member States in dealing with third States, groups of States and entities of any description; and the enhanced coordination of Member States’ foreign and foreign economic policies and enhanced functional cooperation ( “Caribbean Community”). CARICOM has indeed allowed for integration among the region and allowed for further development in the Caribbean as countries can now import and export goods and services, generate revenue, migrate without restrictions, gain employment which all adds to the GDP of the nations and well being of its citizens. Although CARICOM has facilitated development to a great extent, it may also be of hindrance. CARICOM economies have either stagnated or grown very slowly, and high unemployment has become chronic (Ennio). It is no surprise that the Caribbean as of now suffers from high unemployment rates. While Caribbean integration does facilitate employment, many citizens of a country may be out of a job and may not be able to gain employment. Caribbean integration also allows for the free movement of labour and while this may be beneficial to an extent, it can cause a large exodus of citizens from a country which may result in a brain drain or cause greater competition for jobs in another. Although there are some negative aspects of Caribbean integration, the benefits outweigh the shortcomings. CARICOM promotes political and economic integration among Caribbean nations which helps us to maintain political ties and trade within the region. Caribbean countries may not have achieved such levels of development individually as they have achieved together. This goes well with the watchwords of Trinidad and Tobago, “Together we aspire, together we achieve”.

            Caribbean integration can be seen through other organizations such as CSME. The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is an arrangement among the CARICOM States for the creation of a single enlarged economic space through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, people, capital and technology (“Government of the Republic Trinidad and Tobago”). CSME has enabled for further integration among Caribbean states as this organization has also allowed for the free movement of assets from one Caribbean country to another.

            The West Indies Cricket Board is seen as the “heart and soul” of communtiies in the West Indies (“Cricket West Indies”). This cricket team has promoted integration among Caribbean states as they represent countries of the West Indies. Cricket has helped to bring people of different races, backgrounds and beliefs together and so encourages integration among the Caribbean diaspora.

Deeper regional integration to allow cost sharing and risk pooling would promote stable growth (“World Bank”). Many Caribbean territories do not have sufficient resources to make large investments and so Caribbean integration can help with this for instance, The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility which is a risk pooling fund that mobilizes emergencies within the first two weeks of a disaster. (“World Bank”). The Caribbean region can benefit from regional integration as they can work together to achieve similar goals and will achieve development more quickly compared to developing their country on their own. Integration is a key factor in the development of the Caribbean region because it not only strengthens ties among neighbouring countries but contribute to the general wellbeing of Caribbean dwellers by improving their facilities and institutions thus increasing their standard of living.

In continuing, Caribbean integration fosters a sense of Caribbean identity for the people of the Caribbean. Caribbean integration not only serves as a way in which Caribbean countries can benefit from each other through trade, but it also helps in shaping a Caribbean identity. In unit seven of the Caribbean Civilization course, it was stated that Caribbean integration also helps with cultural synthesis. Countries in the Caribbean share similar history, politics, geography, geology, which shapes their culture. Culture is of utmost importance to people of the Caribbean as they were all once prohibited from practicing their culture during the days of slavery. People can now practice their culture freely and integration has allowed for the mixing and merging of various cultures that bring countries closer together. Caribbean integration in this instance can help to promote a sense of identity and oneness among the Caribbean populace. In this way, the importance of Caribbean integration can be seen as it helps countries in the region to maintain great relationships and support each other which aids in development of ties and the economy of countries.

While Caribbean integration is important, globalization is just as important and so countries in the Caribbean and wider world should aspire to be part of the global village for various reasons. Following centuries of European colonization and trade activity, the first “wave” of globalization was propelled by steamships, railroads, the telegraph, and other breakthroughs, and also by increasing economic cooperation among countries (Kolb). Firstly, the global market. Many businesses can benefit from an international market as it would allow for their goods and services to reach a wider audience. Globalization also promotes competition among countries which may result in them generating better quality products for consumers. Caribbean countries should aspire to be part of the global village as they would now have a greater demand for their goods and services which will contribute to their country’s GDP which will allow for further development of one’s country.

Foreign trade has been possible through globalization. Products that only were subjected to one specific country can now be found anywhere in the world. Globalization has allowed for easy access to products from various countries and makes imports and exports efficient. Trades are regulated by World Trade Organizations that encourage governments of countries to follow the rules and regulations put forth. Foreign trade is a prominent part of the world today and this helps with development of countries and they can gain revenue from importation and exportation of goods and services while simultaneously building ties with other countries and maintaining a healthy relationship that all if not most countries can benefit from.

Foreign investment has also come about through globalization and it allows for the flow of foreign capital. This increases foreign exchange between countries and the development of multinational companies. A plus side to this is that countries that have multinational companies can get a lot more revenue into their country and the other countries can also benefit from employment, however, a downside to this is that most multinational businesses are owned by the metropolitan countries and remittances are sent back to their country which leaves Caribbean countries at a disadvantage. Although many Caribbean countries suffer from this aspect of foreign investment it has definitely allowed for further development of Caribbean countries. It can be seen as ‘industrialization by invitation’ where the Caribbean countries provide the land and labour and the metropolitan countries provide the capital (Tewarie). If one looks at it from this perspective, not much has changed from the past as back then Caribbean countries were exploited as they provided land and labour while the metropole provided capital and the knowledge of gaining skills. Although the Caribbean did benefit back then the metropole gained the most profits and that is still the case with globalization today which begs the questions, “Is globalization a form of exploitation to the less developed countries?” or “Is it another form of imperialism?” Although these are questions many have considered, it can not be denied that many countries have developed immensely and gained a lot of profits from globalization. Although the metropole still runs the monopoly, globalization has indeed increased the quality of life of many Caribbean territories and so countries should seek to be a part of the global village.

Globalization has also helped to reduce the knowledge gap between developed and developing countries. Students from third world countries now have opportunities to study abroad. This can improve literacy rates for developing countries and also increase their educational standards. In addition to this, technology and globalization go together as technology helps with globalization and vice versa. Technology makes it easy for everyone to be globally connected and has improved the everyday lives of many people. It is convenient and helps to improve the quality of life of people all over the world. Globalization allows for technical advancements in third world countries as devices can be sold in the market and developing countries and now use these technologies to aid with further development of their country’s economic, social and cultural activities. For example; developing countries can imports computers that will be more efficient to use in the workplaces, families can keep in contact with each other from different countries and maintain social ties with friends and globalization and technology both help to spread culture to a wider audience though media. Although globalization helps to promote Caribbean culture, it also may cause individuals to be influenced by other cultures and adopt more western values. However, globalization definitely helps to bring awareness to different cultures as well as issues that countries are facing in attempts to obtain help and support from other countries.

            Both globalization and Caribbean integration are important because most countries are interdependent on one another. Globalization and Caribbean integration encourage countries to help each other during times of crises. For example, after a natural disaster many countries send support to those affected by distributing canned foods, water, clothing, medical care and so forth. It can be said that Globalization and Caribbean integration have played a major role in countries supporting each other aiding in times of need.

            In conclusion, from the points stated above, it is evident that Caribbean integration is still of relevance and importance in the Caribbean region today. However, countries should still aspire to be part of the global village as globalization is also important for the development of countries not only in the Caribbean, but the wider world as well. Both Caribbean integration and Globalization have fueled development in the region and although there are some negative aspects to both, globalization and Caribbean integration have allowed for opportunities that third world countries did not have before. In this way, it can be said that Caribbean territories should further strengthen Caribbean integration but also aspire to be part of the global village as the benefits and opportunities of being connected to the wider world are endless.