REGIONAL INTEGRATION -ESSAY

Development is a multi-faceted issue and can be viewed from the perspective of human and economic development. In order for a holistic Caribbean development to take place, integration within the region is essential and there have been toward this regional movement since the pre-independence era. Throughout the years, Caribbean leaders have tried various schemes at integration namely the West Indian Federation, CARIFTA and late CARICOM and CSME. However, each attempt has seen various setbacks along the way, some of which are still experienced today. While each of these integration movements and the respective challenges will be explained, this essay also attempts to discuss the view that a major challenge to regional integration, whatever name it may take, is the wide disparity in levels of development among member countries of CARICOM.


Regional integration within the Caribbean has taken on many perspectives, namely political, economical and social. The first movement toward integration, the West Indian Federation began in 1958, but subsequently failed in 1960. Although this attempt was arguably premature, it is an apt example of the way in which these said political, economical and social perspectives hinder progress toward regional integration. Emanating from economic strife within the federation, were issues of political power and the allocation of natural resources. This is due to the fact that large contributors expected equally as large levels of power, which caused internal tension and in turn put a strain on the success of the Federation. The economic disparity led to internal political struggle, as the two largest contributors and most developed in the region, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago both vied for more recognition of power. As such, the Federation was immeasurably dependent on their membership and whatever decisions they made for survival. Of the ten members which comprised the federation, 85% of the financial burden was carried in equal shares by Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. With relevance to their economic worth and the vast disparity in levels of development, the other member states gained the nickname of the “little eight”. Rivalry between the two financial leaders was increased by the decision for the capital of the federation to be located in Trinidad. In 1961, discussions about the grant of Independence to the Federation had begun, which created political choice for Jamaica to either maintain its membership within the Federation or to withdraw and gain individual independence. Choosing to withdraw in favour of their own independence, the Federation failed. In light of this failure to integrate politically due to desires for control and recognition of power, the Caribbean shifted its focus to economic integration.


The direction of the integration movement somewhat changed its course and took on a more economic objective. This was done through the introduction of the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) which was established with the aim of achieving a viable economic community of Caribbean territories. However, this quickly evolved into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). At the core of its objectives were economic integration, co-ordination of foreign policy, and functional co-operation in areas such as health, education and culture and other areas related to human and social development. Various institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) were set up to prioritise certain social and economic issues as well as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to deepen the integration movement to better respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by globalisation. These latter movements however, have been more successful and have brought about a more ‘integrated’ Caribbean region in some aspects.


It cannot be denied that one of the main aims of integration is development in various aspects of the lives of Caribbean people. These movements have allowed “free” movement of natural and human resources across borders of member countries. That is, no legal documentation was needed for members of one country to enter the borders of another. This resulted in mass migration into the two major provinces, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica as scores of people from the less developed nations emigrated with the hope of improving their standard of living. This migration, places a strain on the resources of the countries to which these persons migrate.


However, all of these difficulties cannot deny the various social advancements that have been effected as a result of Caribbean integration. Institutions such as the University of the West Indies (UWI), Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) as well as the West Indies Cricket board (WICB) foster development in terms of education and sport. The former two have been successfully maintained, improved and expanded over time as UWI now boasts three campuses. This shows regional co-operation and the common view that education is essential to development. The success of West Indies Cricket Board shows the importance of sport in development. For example through cricket, track and field and football the Caribbean has gained international stature. These institutions however, are not without fault. Although we gain regional pride through sports like cricket, national pride has seemed to override regional and insularity in the Caribbean opposes integration.


Therefore, to conclude, it cannot be denied that journey toward regional integration within the Caribbean has been long. Although considerable progress has been made, there are still challenges today which prevent integration within the Caribbean from being optimally effective. However, from this evidence, it may be just to say the major challenge toward the integration movement is not just the wide disparity in levels of development among member states but instead a mixture of the desire for political power and a tendency toward insular pride and economic recognition. Until it is realised that integration requires not insularity on political, economic and social front but a sense of one Caribbean identity, regional development may never fully be achieved.