Race, Ideology, and the Decline of Marxism in the Caribbean

Most studies view the Caribbean as disparate countries prone to revolution and ripe for rebellion. In a refreshing departure from the norm, Anthony Maingot, using historical and contemporary examples, explains that the region is actually populated by resilient, adaptable societies that combine both modern and conservative elements. Despite the Caribbean’s diverse languages, nationalities, racial differences, ideologies, microhistories, and political systems, it is defined by a similarity of postcolonial-era challenges. Maingot examines the contemporary intellectual, social, economic, and cultural trajectories of Caribbean nations and locates the common conservative thread in its many revolutions and transitions. He concludes that this prevailing tendency deserves better acknowledgment, by which the Caribbean can chart possible productive paths that have not yet been considered, especially with regard to combating increased corruption. By focusing on changes since the 1990s, this ambitious volume, by one of the preeminent scholars in Caribbean studies, helps define the future course of investigations in this complex region.