ABSTRACT
The political development in the English-speaking Caribbean has naturally been greatly influenced by the Westminster system. Economic developments in the Caribbean region have been major features in discussions on dependency theory. Native and regional pulls and pressures have had their impact on economic and political development in the Caribbean. The role of subaltern social groups has been quite significant in the Caribbean system. In many of the small states in the Caribbean, tourism is the single most important source of foreign exchange and employment. The commonalities in the history and politics of the small states in the Caribbean have thrown up lively debate and discussion on the need for viable regional co-operation and integration. The politics of the English-speaking Caribbean has been largely conditioned by native realities and its close association with the Westminster system. The Caribbean Community needs to look to overcoming deficiencies in its polity so as to sustain and also to further economic development in the region.
