ASSOCIATED STATEHOOD IN THE LEEWARD AND WINDWARD ISLANDS: A PHASE IN THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE, 1967-1983 (CARIBBEAN).
Item
-
Title
-
ASSOCIATED STATEHOOD IN THE LEEWARD AND WINDWARD ISLANDS: A PHASE IN THE TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE, 1967-1983 (CARIBBEAN).
-
Identifier
-
AAI8801769
-
identifier
-
8801769
-
Creator
-
THOMAS, ARNOLD NORMAN.
-
Contributor
-
Dankwart A. Rustow
-
Date
-
1987
-
Language
-
English
-
Publisher
-
City University of New York.
-
Subject
-
Political Science, General
-
Abstract
-
This is a case study of the application of the principle of self-determination to the Caribbean mini-states of Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. Following independence of the larger West Indian territories the smaller islands were not considered to be economically viable for independence. The mini-state dilemma was solved through the constitutional device of Associated Statehood which provided the islands with full control over internal affairs while the United Kingdom retained responsibility for defence and external affairs. As a phase in the transition to independence, Associated Statehood was also regarded as a strategy for creating the conditions prerequisite to independence.;The main themes of the study are: the role of the international system in determining the status of territories; plans to devise schemes for the decolonisation of the West Indies; the status of Associated Statehood in the international system; the debate over economic viability; Associated Statehood as a transitional phenomenon and the place of small states within international systems.;The study is divided into four parts with Part I giving a background to the choice of Associated Statehood, Part II an analysis of the experience of Statehood 1967-1983, Part III the debate on economic viability in the transition to independence, and Part IV the place of small states within the international system.;From the analysis of the Statehood phenomenon, some of the conclusions made are: (1) Associated Statehood was designed more to slow down the pace of decolonisation at a time when the United Kingdom was hard-pressed in the United Nations and less over the presumed economic non-viability of the Associated States. (2) Associated Statehood failed to create economic viability but provided the islands with experience in international affairs through participation as members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). (3) The transition to independence was not based on presumed economic viability but on the more pragmatic premise that independent status offered more opportunities and greater access to international aid. (4) Small size and economic viability are no longer impediments to independence, the criteria for viability having been eroded within a short space of time. (5) The Associated States were regarded as colonies by the international system but as small independent states they have the same status as large states within the United Nations.
-
Type
-
dissertation
-
Source
-
PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
-
degree
-
Ph.D.
-
Program
-
Political Science
