In a time of persistent uncertainty, fragile eco-structures, the politics of "populism," and limits in institutional leadership, The Caribbean on the Edge acts as an analytical roadmap to a challenging era of globalization for the countries on the edge of history in the Caribbean, those often at a policy standstill pondering which way and how to turn. Winston Dookeran traces ideas that have evolved in development and diplomacy over the last decade to identify the path for new analytical leadership. The Caribbean on the Edge deeply engages the political issues involved in development, governance, and diplomacy. Examining various schools of thought that influence policy choices, The Caribbean on the Edge discusses new approaches and risk factors that are aligned with the current realities in the region. Above all, this book is about the development of a new mindset that will usher in a radical shift in thinking, policy, and practice in order to unlock the paralysis of a Caribbean on the edge.

The Caribbean is made up of a complex, enigmatic region, characterised by great disparities in size, population, geography, history, language, religion, race and politics. This is a region in which harmony and discord work in tandem, trying to link economic logic with political logic. This book is a useful tool not only for those specialists and students of regionalism but for all those putting their hands to the task of nation-building and those interested in the development processes of small states and economies. At the same time, this book is a comprehensive historical record especially highlighting hindrances to development in this region. This study raises two important issues: the 'political imperative of convergence' and the need for 'appropriate correcting mechanisms' that align the needs of the local with the regional. It is a volume that underlines the need for a change in strategy and makes proposals as to how to go about making those changes.

The Caribbean is made up of a complex, enigmatic region, characterised by great disparities in size, population, geography, history, language, religion, race and politics. This is a region in which harmony and discord work in tandem, trying to link economic logic with political logic. This book is a useful tool not only for those specialists and students of regionalism but for all those putting their hands to the task of nation-building and those interested in the development processes of small states and economies. At the same time, this book is a comprehensive historical record especially highlighting hindrances to development in this region. This study raises two important issues: the 'political imperative of convergence' and the need for 'appropriate correcting mechanisms' that align the needs of the local with the regional. It is a volume that underlines the need for a change in strategy and makes proposals as to how to go about making those changes.

The more recent experiments with New Public Management, in various countries, have revealed that there were major differences among what a number of writers referred to as 'differential application' of systems and practices. It was suggested that these differences were a result of environmental considerations. But the major preoccupation of the earlier literature on New Public Management was with debates on whether the systems and practices of New Public Management had achieved success in the developed countries. Unfortunately, developing countries such as Mexico and countries in the Caribbean are largely neglected in the current literature. Policy Transfer, New Public Management and Globalization fills this gap. Focusing on policy transfer, new public management, and globalization, the contributors examine the problems and difficulties in introducing and implementing policies in small, plural, politically unstable societies.

The Caribbean integration process is evolving in new and exciting ways but that process requires action on the part of regional governments to give substance to what has been in the minds and hearts of Caribbean people for a very long time. The setting for Caribbean people to press their demand for less talk and more action from their leaders was provided at a Forum on the future of the Caribbean calling for `disruptive thinking, bold action and practical outcomes'. It was held in Trinidad in 2015 and jointly hosted by The University of the West Indies and the government of Trinidad and Tobago. The forum's agenda was carefully designed to capture the ambitions of the Caribbean people, embrace Caribbean convergence, tackle poverty and inequality, find innovative financing solutions and shape a new global compact through diplomacy. This book is a distillation of the action agenda presented at the forum by heads of governments and their ministers, industry professionals, representatives of international and regional organizations, academics, young professionals and significantly, youth leaders. Its thirteen chapters, divided into four sections address issues of concern for the common citizen: 1. air and sea transport to facilitate movement of people and goods throughout the region; 2. energy to reduce high costs and provide incentives for the development of regional energy networks; 3. finance to facilitate market-making mechanisms that connect financial markets in the region; 4. food security to facilitate trading within countries of the region. The conclusions presented in these pages are clear; action requires modernizing institutions in CARICOM and addressing its governance shortcomings. The new action framework must provide incentives for more dynamic decision-making processes leading to real integration within CARICOM, the broader Caribbean and even countries in Central and South America. The main message from the people and of this book is not about what to do, it is about doing - a responsibility that falls on all Caribbean citizens and their governments.

Nations must often take stock of their achievements and forge ahead with new directions to confront the changing realities in economics and politics. This imposes new demands and burdens on leadership. What should be the approach and the new role of leadership in fostering change and development of small states? Research is an essential task that must be undertaken to inform new directions. The value of this collection of essays lies in the experience and expertise of the authors who have acquired considerable hands-on knowledge over several decades as practitioners and intellectuals. They include people who have served as Prime Ministers and Ministers of Government, senior professionals from International Organizations, university Professors, and a Central Bank Governor. Together they draw on the changing issues of the times and provide new propositions for future directions. This book is a thoughtful study of political economy of development. A valuable, timely, stimulating and inspirational reading for political leaders, development experts and scholars; it contains the ingredients for an anticipated new global political economy within the next decade.