ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the transition from the post-colonial to a post-colonial authoritarian state in Guyana. Its main purpose is to further demonstrate that neoextractivism, which is considered to be a new phenomenon in the Latin American and Caribbean region is merely a part of the capitalist development dynamic in the periphery. The focus is on the political economy factors at the time that correspond to those of neoextractivism. The politics in neoextractivism were anti-neoliberalism in nature spearheaded by left-leaning social movements. Progressive politicians seized upon these movements to win power and then proceeded to pursue a political economy agenda to redistribute income generated in the natural resources sector to the poor, while simultaneously taking measures to appease foreign capital. The historical trajectory in Guyana had more to do with anti-communism, coalition politics, the consolidation of power through rigged national elections in the hands of the faction of the ruling elites handed power by US and British imperialist forces, nationalization of the commanding heights of the economy and attempts to redistribute income to the poor, post-colonial authoritarianism, political assassinations, neoliberal structural adjustment, and an anti-dictatorial resistance movement. Underlying these processes was the notion of appeasing foreign capital as a means to retain power domestically.
