By Oliver Mills From Caribbean News Now

The advent of independence for Caribbean states was one of hope and great expectations for its citizens. It was believed independence would solve the lagging issues of emancipation and colonial rule, and promote economic and social development, cultural consciousness, and a sense of nationhood and national sovereignty.

But the practice of politics in the Caribbean seems to be going in reverse, and returning to the era of colonial rule by elites who have taken on the values and behaviours of the plantation system. For many Caribbean countries, the early post-independence years reflected economic growth to some extent, but in the current period, political governance seems to experience difficulties in shaping society to achieve the goals that would bring equity and social justice, although there is some stability, however tenuous.

In one country with an energy-based economy, a recent letter to a popular online paper states that Standards and Poor, a ratings agency, has downgraded its economy due to lower than expected energy production and economic growth. The agency also indicated that institutional reforms to strengthen revenue collection and improve the provision of family income data have taken longer than expected so that material benefits from these reforms are not expected in the near term. The letter further mentioned that diversification may be beyond the reach of the government.

Why is it that Caribbean governance seems unable to manage its economies successfully in its citizens’ interests, even when advised what the issues are? Why is there always the process of “ebb and flow” in Caribbean economic growth, rather than sustainability? Is it the old politics being played out in a new jacket without the transformations that would make the system more competitive?

The Caribbean seems to be more dependent on outside investment than before which signals a new form of control by different economic actors. We hear of sizeable projects funded by disguised colonial operatives, more subtle than the traditional colonisers. And globalisation has meant not equality of opportunity, but its contraction because of the level of competitiveness by the developed economies. A sense of “the Caribbean” as a promising, effective actor in regional and international politics, is increasingly on the retreat. Is the old politics alive and well posing in a new jacket?

Because of these factors, and others, large segments of the region’s population seem to feel that with even some investment, they do not experience it in their wallets. They ask: What about me? What are you doing for me? Further, many citizens of independent territories are seeking jobs in countries still associated with Britain, and are asking Why are these non-independent countries doing better than those that are independent?

These persons soon become better off economically and use their time to pursue further studies. They even seek to become citizens of these countries, as well as permanent residents to enable them to keep their jobs. Populism manifested in nationalism, and anti-immigration feelings are seeping into Caribbean politics because people are feeling more and more left out.

Is Caribbean politics today a re-enactment of plantation politics? Why does it seem that many responsible citizens of some Caribbean independent states wish to return to the politics of colonialism? And, is the new politics of independence actually the old pre-independence politics in a new jacket?

Many citizens feel their society has become one where there are the “ins, and outs.” The elites are the ins, and the rest of the society represents the outs: those with little authority and power. People also feel that they are not effectively represented. There is financial colonisation, where the haves continue to acquire financial and social capital, while the condition of the have nots is being constantly eroded. And elites and others live in separate geographical areas and follow different lifestyles. No unity, or common purpose.

People also feel that real power is not with the official national government, but with those who influence it. And economic investment seems to be concentrated in specific, designated parts of the different territories, away from where most people live. Independence, the new jacket was supposed to remedy this.

According to Teresa May, society is losing the ability to disagree, and the most extreme views are the most noticed. Also, hatred and prejudice drive what people say and do, and there is a coarsening of language.

Is this a reflection of old Caribbean politics in the new independence jacket? We certainly in many ways do not tolerate dissent, and see disagreement as being unpatriotic. And persons holding the most extreme views are noticed readily, and develop a following, since the person with the loudest mouth, sells himself as more capable than anyone else in getting things done, although there is evidence to the contrary. Prejudice and hatred drive what people say and do, because of jealousy, and the desire to control and be noticed.

So independence has not made a dent in the old politics which still reflects nepotism, elite dominance, leadership based on skin colour, zig-zag economic growth, crime, and an unjust social order.

Do we then face a future of old politics in a new jacket, or will we find new wineskins for new wine?

For more on this story go to: https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/2019/07/24/commentary-is-caribbean-politics-the-old-politics-in-a-new-jacket/