Geopolitics of the Caribbean: Ministates in a Wider World

Abstract

25, 1983, Thomas D. Anderson had probably returned the page proofs of this book to the publisher. An unfortunate result is that parts of this study now seem anachronistic: for example, the statement that the last direct American intervention in the Caribbean was into the Dominican Republic in 1965 or the discussion of the level of tolerance by the United States toward the government headed by Maurice Bishop. Even before this book was released, it was upstaged by other scholarly publications that contained brief summaries of the American invasion and that thus offered tentative predictions about its meaning for the Caribbean. Despite the unfortunate timing of this book, the growing interest in the Caribbean probably assures a wide readership that would not have been available as recently as five years ago. Anderson adopts what he calls an unconventional approach to Caribbean geopolitics by asserting sensibly that a full geographical understanding, including locational, environmental, demographic, social, economic, and historical dimensions, is essential to geopolitical analysis. Anderson provides chapters on geographical and historical backgrounds, contemporary issues, and foreign policy options. Although the title of the book implies regional coverage, Anderson focuses on Jamaica, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and the small eastern islands. The purpose of the book is to give an understanding of Caribbean geopolitical processes in an era of change so that U.S. policy options for the region may be assessed intelligently. This study differs in intent and tone from many recent academic books about political economy, neocolonialism, class formation, and ongoing dependency relationships in the region. A common virtue of these studies is that they provide at least some West Indian perspective, while Anderson does not. For example, his straightforward chapter on contemporary geopolitics is based, in large part, on current journalism, all from American newspapers and magazines. They are important, indeed necessary sources, but the use of independent, long-standing West Indian newspapers would have provided perspectives to enrich this study. I agree wholeheartedly that understanding the cultural background of a region is crucial to understanding its geopolitics; however, I am disappointed that Anderson provided little, if any, connection between the background chapters and his subsequent assessment of contemporary Caribbean geopolitics. To illustrate my point-Anderson asserts that Maroons (runaanging circumstances with which soc etie and individuals must cope. No e with a concern for third-world development can do other than take this ook very seriously.-ROBERT W. STEEL