Four Perspectives on a CARICOM Single Market and Economy

• Author: UWI-CARICOM Project
• Pages: 25-38

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Four Perspectives on the CSME

The years since the Heads of Government declared their intention to

establish a Single Market and Economy have not witnessed the emergence of

a common view on this step of the integration process. Instead, divergent

and often sceptical views have emerged about the step – about its feasibility,

the desirable speed of its implementation, the availability of institutional

capability required, the adequacy of programming for public information

and education, and its benefits. The absence of a common view should not

be surprising, judging by events and experience in what might be considered

the most highly integrated regional system to date – the European Union.

The experience has been that key steps taken to advance integration in Europe

have been first rejected in referenda by a small margin in specific states (for

example, Denmark) before being finally approved, or adopted by a small

margin (as in France), or even challenged constitutionally (for instance,

Germany) before ratification. In some instances, provision had to be made

for key states (such as Britain) to opt out of joint economic or political decisions

for a period as a result of national or popular sensitivity related to sovereignty.

Because of divergent, or even ambivalent, views in the Caribbean, it

seems appropriate to examine some of the main perspectives on the CSME

that have been associated with public concern or scepticism. This chapter

attempts to do so, examining aspects of the CSME from four (4) perspectives.

The Sceptical Perspective

This perspective is perhaps best represented by drawing on views

expressed in presentations made by Prof. Havelock Brewster.1

FOUR PERSPECTIVES ON THE

CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND

ECONOMY

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