The responses are not meant to be exhaustive…
1. Discuss FOUR major ways in which settlement patterns in the Caribbean have been influenced by the
physical landscape. [20 Marks]
As people of needs and wants we live in a society where “location” is a necessity. As such, the physical landscape has influenced settlement patterns in the region. If one were to consider our history, it would give an insight on the way we are influenced in contemporary Caribbean societies.
Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Pre- Columbian society was very much organized and it revolved around religion, agriculture, economy, and polities. The Indigenous populace (mainly the Caribs and Tanios) settled in areas with much water and fertile lands as they sought out areas where they could have plenty of resources to fit their nomadic lifestyle. The Europeans had come to the region in prospects of exploiting such resources and in an attempt to do so have established the region into an economic unit creating large scale plantations on the best suited lands. Hence from that we get most of our points. Physical landscape influenced the way we settle in the region in the following manner:
(a) The availability of Physical Resources: People are included to live in close proximity to their work place. Thus the availability of physical resources and the consequent development of industries attract high population densities. For example. Mining of bauxite near Mandeville in Jamaica and the refining of petroleum at Point- a – Pierre in Trinidad have resulted in high densities of population (settlement patterns) in these areas.
(b) The physical Features of the Land: It is quite evident that the physical features of the land determine the patterns of settlement. Flat or gently undulating lands are more attractive for settlements than mountains or swampy areas. Little people settle in the Blue Mountains as opposed to the Liguanea plains in Jamaica.
(c) People tend to live where there is the availability of Infrastructure.
Infrastructure is determined by the physical landscape. Good roads are ideal on flat lands; water, electricity, schools, medical facilities, postal
services and police stations are mostly found on areas that the physical landscape are capable to fulfill their purposes. People tend to settle in areas where certain comforts are afforded. These therefore influence the way industries are set out and as mentioned before people tend to live in areas near to their jobs.
(d) Some areas are prone to disasters and these are not considered ideal for settlement. In contemporary society, people avoid settling in areas where volcanoes are (e.g. in Montserrat) or areas with much soil erosion (e.g. in Haiti and beside any river bank).
(e) The fertility of the land is a great way that suggests how the landscape influences settlements. In an economic driven society, agriculture is an ideal occupation. In Trinidad for example, the western half of the island is rich and fertile and can be easily cultivated as opposed to the areas in the east which are much drier. Areas which are swampy, densely forested or has prevailing winds hinder the way people settle.
OR
2. Examine FOUR factors that promoted social mobility. [20 Marks]
Education
Marriage
Occupation
Gender equality
3. Discuss FOUR ways in which structural adjustment programs (SAPs) impacted development in the
Caribbean. [20 Marks]
Intro: Each multilateral institution is dedicated to achieving certain goals and has devised certain procedures for all to follow in pursuit of these goals. The Prime examples of the multilateral institutions are the World Bank, IMF and the WTO. All three agencies had their genesis in the aftermath of the Second World War. They were formed out of a special Meeting at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire, US, in 1945, and are sometimes known as ‘the Bretton Woods Institution.’
However, for the purpose of this essay we will be focusing on the on structural adjustment programs as imposed by the IMF. The focus of the IMF ought to be on fostering global monetary cooperation and financial stability. However, in actuality, the IMF is appears to the playing the role of a First World ogre, preying on hapless and helpless poor countries and forcing them to a downward spiral of austerity and poverty.
Define structural adjustment policies and mention the prescription of the SAPs.
(a) Widespread unemployment and poverty has resulted from implementing SAPs.
(b) More profits and benefits are gained by the IMF than the country they are purporting to help.
(c) Negative reputation and proven track record of increasing poverty in the countries that accepted the SAPs.
(d) Productivity and production is affected by trade liberalization as promoted by SAPs, because many countries cannot compete under conditions of free trade.
OR
4. Discuss four ways in which popular movement in the Caribbean have shaped the regions political
identity. [20 Marks]
(a) Exposure of new ideas about political and economic conditions of worker after emancipation obtained through travelling other countries, upon their return were unwilling to resume a lowly status in the social hierarchy.
(b) Prevailing hapless economic and social condition gave rise to labour movement with charismatic leaders, who, riding on mass popularity transition to political leadership.
(c) The role of the labour movement was for the improvement of working condition, health and education; which was tantamount to and became the birthplace of Caribbean political parties.
(d) Obtaining independence was the ultimate object of the popular movement in the Caribbean;
there should be internal self-government and then eventually total independence.
(e) Inheritance of the West Minister (Export Model) Constitution and political system was as a corollary of British Colonial process. That is, because they dominated us, we were predisposed to inheriting their legal system.
5. Carnival and phagwah create opportunities for the Caribbean to publicly express their identities.
Discuss the extent to which you agree to this statement. [30 Marks]
Points for:
a) Even though ‘the West’ or metropolitan countries enjoy hegemony over the Caribbean countries, the Caribbean countries still has influence over extra-regional countries.
b) Festivals or carnivals celebrated in the Caribbean reflected the resistance of the oppress people e.g. Heroes Day, Emancipation Day, Independence Day etc, which leads into the next point c) Carnival is used to commemorate and perpetuate our historical legacy- Emancipation Day,
Independence Day etc
d) Caribbean diaspora- Carnivals and reggae and dancehall festivals are becoming an integral part of the culture and society of extra-regional countries, e.g. London’s Nothing Hill carnival is the biggest open-air festival in Europe, Caribana in Canada, West Indian (Labour Day) Parade in New Work.
Points against:
a) Western Countries (North America and Western Europe e.g. US, Canada, London etc) have directly influence Caribbean society in both religious and secular festivals, viz, commercializing them.
b) Some people in fact believe that carnival is a European phenomenon associate with Roman Catholicism (carne vale- farewell to the flesh)
c) Carnival celebrated throughout the Caribbean, particularly those that are popular Tourist destination, have taken a more elaborate portrayal, deliberately courting U.S and European tourists, e.g. Reggae Sumfest, Sting, annual carnival uptown Kingston, Jamaica.
6. “Internal self-government was the most important movement towards independence in the
Caribbean.” [30 marks]
Discuss the extent to which you agree.
Jamaica was chosen as a showcase to demonstrate the British policy of colonial reform. In drafting a new constitution granting internal self government and an election based on universal suffrage in 1944 (one person one vote- to determine their own affairs) paved the way for constitutional decolonization in the British West Indies.
Points for:
(a) Exposure, acquaintance with power and experience of administration were all afforded by virtue of internal self government.
(b) It afforded the masses in region with the opportunity to supplant the whites and Europeans in power, with their elected official.
(c) The strategy during independence was to get Union leader into office so that they could form a lobby agitating for internal self-government and then full independence. Internal self government was thus the major challenge to colonialism.
Points against:
(a) The ultimate power still rest in the hands of Britain, our powers was within a scope and our decision subject to their assent.
(b) Even though we were granted political/legal independence the region was still economically dependent on Britain.
(c) There was still the absence of equality and social justice, as the poor was still socially excluded.
7. In light of the region’s vulnerable environment, discuss the extent to which sustainable development is
a viable option. [30 marks]
Intro: Sustainable development is economic development that will continue to benefit later generation, rather than using short-term exploitation for short term gains.
(a) Agricultural practices- the indigenous population used fallowing, which involves letting the land rest for several years between periods of cultivation. Mention the different agricultural practices and its effect on the environment e.g. slash and burn, and milpa.
(b) Reafforestation should follow lands cleared for agricultural practices. Maintaining an extensive forest cover should is an important environmental goal because it regulates the river flow. If the forest is removed, rivers can disappear, or be subject to sudden changes.
(c) Energy generation is an important aspect of sustainable development, which would mean that we must cease to rely on fossil fuel and find alternative sources of energy which can be sustained over the long term. The most useful of these for the Caribbean is solar energy.
(d) However, sustainable development regarding energy generation may prove more problematic, as numerous researches have confirmed that the installation/setup cost is often above the income bracket of the average citizen.
(e) Inconvenience associated with proper observance of environmental best-practice is a reason to abandon the same. This may prove to be too time consuming, financially inconvenient, or simply without incentive.
8. Discuss the extent to which CARICOM in its present form is capable to respond of responding to
economic challenges of globalization. [30 marks]
Intro: In such a global environment, CARICOM was intended to give Caribbean countries more diplomatic and bargaining weight in their relations without side countries. As well as provide a specific path to development.
Point For:
(a) the community had developed the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) to establish standards and provide artisans and tradespersons with qualifications recognized throughout the Caribbean.
(b) youth of the region were making a significant contribution in the areas of sports, music and culture in particular. Secretary general of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, the development of cultural and creative industries has been identified as one of the priority areas for job creation and growth.
(c) In the area of advocacy the secretary general outlined that CARICOM has played a leading role in the tabling of the Arms Trade Treaty at the UN.
(d) According to LaRocque, He said it was also CARICOM that led the way for recognition of small and vulnerable economies as a group within the World Trade organization (WTO). He said CARICOM’s foreign policy co-ordination was increasingly being used to address regional problems and had resulted in CARICOM becoming recognized as an international actor.
Point Against:
(e) Increase trade and economic development has not materialized as promised by regional integration.
(f) In CARICOM regionalism is not a consistent and urgent desire on the part of the Caribbean people. As a group, Caribbean people tend to be apathetic about deepening linkages between countries of the region. This may stem from the nationalism which puts one’s own country first, alongside a reluctance to consider the broader picture.
(g) Lack of enforceability of CARICOM policies- means those countries whose domestic policies are in violation of CARICOM dictates, no effective sanctions can be imposed against them.
