It was rather encouraging to hear Reverend Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam in the United States, making a plea to Caribbean countries to move forward with regional integration to the extent of forming a political union among ourselves. Part of his argument is that as small countries it is becoming more and more difficult to survive on our own in a world that has become extremely hostile in several ways: financially, economically, culturally, and politically.
Coming out of an interview with the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, one of the most fascinating pronouncements by Rev. Farrakhan was the predicted demise of the powerful United States of America based on the teachings of both Islam and Christianity.
Hence, countries in the region that continue to rely heavily on financial and economic exchanges with the United States could find themselves with significant hardships in this eventuality.
Regional integration provides an opportunity for Caribbean countries to shield themselves from further economic chaos in the event that they can no longer benefit financially and economically from important trading relationships with the United States.
Prophecy aside, anyone who has been monitoring developments in the United States over the past few years would have to agree that with mounting national debt and growing federal budget deficits alone, it is inconceivable to imagine how that country could avoid financial and economic collapse without drastic changes in its socioeconomic policies.
Thus far, there is little evidence to suggest that any such changes are on the horizon. Hence, the logical conclusion to reach is that economic conditions in the most powerful country on earth are not likely to show any major signs of improvement anytime soon.
While the problems in the United States continue to suggest the need for us in the region to forge ahead with regional integration, there are other worrying developments that ought to concern all and sundry.
The recent report, for example, from the Caribbean Development Bank on the performance of its borrowing member countries and their prospects speaks to the very sluggish nature of economic activity in the region and shows little sign of major improvement in the next 12 months. Â
Does anyone truly believe that our countries could not have done better within the context of regional integration? I doubt it!
I am satisfied that the reports we have seen from various regional and international organizations as well as developments taking place in the global economy provide sufficient evidence to support the notion that regional integration holds the greatest promise for improving the quality of life for Caribbean people.
Hence, what we need now more than ever is policies to move us in that direction.
Indeed, there is no shortage of voices all around calling for the region to re-energize our regional integration efforts for the good of the people and countries of the Caribbean. I am sure that as ordinary citizens, businesses, civil society and governments, we all are hearing those calls.
But are we listening?
• Brian M. Francis PhD is a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
