Strategy and Security in the Caribbean

(Hardback)

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This contribution to the debate on security in the Caribbean highlights the security problems of small states. The contributors analyze internal and external security issues, military, political, and economic influences and security initiatives and policies from indigenous, regional, and extra-regional perspectives. They also present empirical case studies of four English-speaking nations. The volume begins by introducing the dynamics influencing Caribbean security: leadership, history, geopolitics, and internal political violence. It then presents four case studies: Barbados, Guyana, the Virgin Islands, and the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. Realist theory, conflict theory, political economy, and political psychology are among the theoretical frameworks represented in these essays. Focusing particularly on the English-speaking Caribbean, the authors examine the resources, institutions, economies, geopolitics, internal instability, militarization, and intervention shaping the security environment. This work should be of interest to scholars and policy analysts of military/security issues, the Caribbean/Latin America, and Third World development.

Reviews

"In Griffith's book, issues of militarization, peace, and security are approached from a Caribbean perspective that is senstive to the interests of regional societies. Its chapters are well researched and generally explore topics and national realities that have been normally neglected in previous studies. This volume should be read by all those concerned with the future of the Caribbean."-Jorge Rodriguez Beruff Institute of Caribbean Studies University of Puerto Rico
"This book is one of the most important publications on the Caribbean region that I have seen. In a most comprehensive and innovative manner, it weaves the reality and perceptions of security problems into every aspect of social, economic, political, military, and foreign relations considerations. . . . It should be required reading for all persons interested in the problems facing LDCs not only in terms of their own security and quest for self-determination, but also for those interested in the broader problems of development itself."-Percy C. Hintzen Associate Professor and Vice Chairperson African American Studies University of California at Berkeley

Author Bio

IVELAW L. GRIFFITH is Professor of Political Science at Lehman College of the City University of New York. He is author of The Quest for Security in the Caribbean (forthcoming) and has published in the Journal of Interamerican Studies and World Affairs, Caribbean Affairs, and elsewhere.