Peace, Democracy and Security in the Caribbean

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to consider the relationship among the concepts of peace, democracy and security within the context of the Caribbean. Caribbean states, like those throughout the Third World, are insecure domestically and internationally Insecurity stems from the relative vulnerability and lack of manoeuvre which Third World states have on economic, political and military levels.¹ Geopolitics has vastly limited their autonomy by stymieing possibilities for indigenous developments and choices. In recent years the most obvious manifestation of this encompassing insecurity is the turn towards authoritarianism and the reliance on repressive measures of social control. A discussion of this latter, more limited, sense of security (i.e. the military aspects) will form a major part of this chapter. We will suggest that a fostering of democracy, in both its political and social aspects, will bring security to the Caribbean, a security that remains elusive to the area.