Constitutional faith and identity in the Caribbean: tradition, politics and the creolisation of Caribbean constitutional law

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article maintains that in order to develop constitutional faith in the region, there must be both a firm constitutional identity and trust in the state’s capacity to deliver important public goods. The limited growth of both constitutional identity and trust in the state has therefore inhibited the development of constitutional faith in the Caribbean. The Independence movements in the region were typified by European retention, thereby inhibiting a Caribbean constitutional identity. Further, the apparent inability of state organs in some countries to furnish security and justice undermines faith in the constitution and its institutions. This article proposes a creolised approach to both constitutional development and state engagement with citizens as a means of fostering greater faith in the constitution.