Group dynamics suggest clearly that conflicts are inevitable in any establishment and that is without doubt. Therefore, whether we are dealing with political parties or community organizations or professional sporting organizations, differences among members will always exist.
The important question that arises is: how exactly should the conflicts be resolved for the good of the organization? The answer to that question may be surprisingly simple or extremely complex, depending on the type of organization and the nature of the differences that crop up.
Imagine, then, how difficult it becomes to tackle problems that are deemed particularly important to a specific country when it decides to engage in regional integration with others that are similar in some respects, but dissimilar in others.
That is precisely the case right here in CARICOM as well as in other parts of the world, for example, in the European Union. Why then do countries engage in regional integration? The answer is simple: to create better and greater opportunities for individual countries to grow, develop and prosper.
The problem, however, is that there are no certainties involved and, predictably, many difficulties will arise along the way.
But, facing difficulties or challenges which every participant ought to accept as inevitable should in no way justify attempts to quit.
Take the European Union as a typical example. Countries entering the Eurozone were required to meet convergence criteria in several areas including fiscal deficit, debt to GDP [gross domestic product] ratio, and inflation. Some countries would have done so quite easily, while for others it was a tremendous struggle. Â
Furthermore, all the countries that decided to join the Eurozone must have understood the risks involved and the need to keep their fiscal house in order. Hence, if economic conditions deteriorate in one or a few countries, the spillover effect could be disastrous for the entire group of countries.
And that indeed has been the experience in recent times in Europe, given the performances of economies such as Greece, Portugal and Spain.
The end result is that the Eurozone is now plagued with threats to the stability of the euro, fiscal and debt problems and high and rising unemployment in several member countries.
Under those circumstances, one may argue that it is a tempting situation for strong economies such as Germany and France to simply walk away from the Eurozone, forcing an end to the regional integration effort.   Â
What we have all witnessed instead is quite the opposite, with the leading economies doing all they can to assist those countries in dire economic stress to emerge from their challenges and become stronger than ever.
   Whether those initiatives will fail ultimately or eventually succeed, thereby keeping the union together, is not the ultimate issue to me. The important lesson is that the countries are collectively trying to stay the course for the good of all concerned.
   When I reflect on the European experience and think about our own circumstances here in CARICOM, it bothers me that anyone could be seriously calling for any country to exit the regional grouping at this time.
There is no doubt in my mind that regional integration is our best hope for growth and development.
Hence, CARICOM ought to be strengthened, not weakened by the withdrawal of any country, large or small! When conflicts arise, as they will, let us all use the very institutions we have created to resolve those conflicts in an amicable manner. That is how we ought to proceed, always!
