SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES

The majority of CARICOM member states British colonies. The systems of government
which were used in the colonies were, therefore, designed to give England direct control over the
affairs of the colonies. The franchise was restricted in order to achieve this objective. True
representative government did not until universal suffrage was introduced.
Types of Government Systems in the Commonwealth Caribbean
1. Old Representative System
This system operated for more than 150 years (from about 1660s to 1800s). In this system, the
laws in the colonies were made up:
 A Governor, representing the King (monarch). One who is of English birth.
 A Council consisting of members who were selected by the Governor to assist him in his
functions.
 An Assembly consisting of members who were elected from among the white planters
and merchants.
During the period when this type of government existed, slaves, free negroes and
coloured people did not have the right to vote or stand for elections. Therefore, the White
population had the franchise and they voted White property holders to the Assemblies.
The Assemblies were therefore made up of mainly of white planters and merchants who
ruled in their own interest. They did not cater for the masses who remained poor and
uneducated. Further, they acted as an authority unto themselves and did not tolerate
interference from the Colonial Office in England.
2. Crown Colony Government (1800s to 1950s)
The experiences of the British Crown with the Old Representative System led them to offer
different form of government to colonies which they acquired in the latter part of the18th
century. So, British Guyan and Trinidad which became British Colonies in 1796 and 1797
respectively, were ruled under a system known as Crown Colony. It consisted of:
 A Governor, representing the crown who was born English.
 A Council, chosen by the Governor to advise him; members of the council had no power
to pass laws.
 No Assemblies.
The crown retained powers to override any decisions made in the colonies which were
considered unfavourable. As the 19th century progressed, most of the former colonies with the
Old Representative System changed to Crown Colony Government. Example: Monserrat and
Turks and Caicos.
Note: The Governor had executive, legislative and judicial powers which gave authority to make
and administer policies and laws. British Crown Colonies have been reclassified as British
Overseas Territories.
 3. Independence/Constitution Monarchy (from 1960s)
By the first half of the 20th century, the population of the British Colonies had grown
considerably. The economic depression of the 1930s led to mass retrenchment, widespread
unemployment, low wages, malnutrition and inadequate housing. (this period was known as
the ‘social unrest). They are referred to constitutional monarchy because the monarch is still the
head state.
 Governor General of local birth replaced the Governor as the Crown’s representative.
 Prime Minister replaced the Premier.
 Prime Minister selects a Cabinet of which he is head.
 The government has full control of its national and international affairs.
 Government establishes a defense force as the mother country is no longer responsible
for defense.
4. Republics (from 1970s)
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have forged one step further by becoming Republics. By doing
this they have severed all ties with the mother country. These countries are now in complete
control of their international and internal affairs. They are also fully responsible for defense and
internal security. In, a republic the President replaces the Governor General as Head of State. Mr.
Reymond Arthur Chung became the first President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. As a
Republic, each state drafts its own Constitution which contains roles and responsibilities of the
President. However, Guyana’s and Trinidad’s constitution differ in many respects.
Types of Republicanism
1. Parliamentary Republic – with a parliamentary system, the head of state (President) holds a
ceremonial function and the prime minister is the head of government and, therefore, has the
executive authority. Trinidad and Tobago, the Commonwealth of Dominica have such a system,
and the presidents there have limited constitutional powers.
2. Presidential Republic – runs on the presidential system, the head of state or executive
president is also head of government. The executive president has full constitutional powers. The
government of Guyana is based on this system.

Functions of Government
i. To raise revenue through direct or indirect taxation.
ii. Provide social services: welfare, education, health, public utilities.
iii. Manage finances of the country (budgeting)
iv. Maintain law and order.
v. Create employment opportunities
vi. Maintain international relations.
vii. Defend the nation state.
Arms / Branches of Government
1. LEGISLATURE BRANCH
The legislative arm of government is also called Parliament. Parliament is a body of
persons whose main functions is to make or pass laws for the society or country. The legislature
can have one body, in which case it is called a unicameral legislature or two bodies, which is
known as a bicameral legislature. A bicameral legislature comprises an upper house, sometimes
called the Senate, and the lower house, which is known as either the House of Representatives or
the House of Assembly.
Function of Parliament include:
 passing laws
 debates the national budget
 discusses national issues like crime.
 Imposing taxes
 approving private bills

The Opposition
The opposition parties criticize and oppose government policies with which they disagree. A
strong opposition:
 ensures that the legislature keeps the power of the executive in check.
 ensures that the government is accountable for its actions, revealing weakness,
mismanagement or corruption.
 introduces its own bills to improve the governance of the country.
 To propose alternative measures and policies of their own.
 To scrutinize everything the government does.

The Executive Branch

The executive arm of the government of composed of the Head of State (Governor General or
President), the Prime Minister and usually the Ministers of government. The persons are
collectively called the Cabinet. The cabinet refers to a body of senior politicians or advisors who
make policies and design laws for a society or country.
Functions include:
i. To make policies.
ii. To issue directions for enforcing laws and policies.
iii. To initiate bills.
iv. To formulate budgets.
v. To grant special licenses to individuals and groups.
vi. To appoint ambassadors.
vii. To appoint Commissions and Board members to statutory bodies.
viii. To grant resident status and citizenship to aliens.

The Judiciary Branch

The Judicial arm of Government is composed of:
a) The courts
b) The legal officials example judges
Functions include:
i. To interpret laws
ii. To administer or enforce laws.
iii. To make legal judgements in courts.
iv. To fill gaps in the statute books when there is no existing law relating to the points in dispute.

Functions of Magistrate Court

i. trials petty offences
ii. trials minor breaches of traffic laws
iii. granting bail
iv. granting licences
Functions of the High Court
i. resolute criminal cases.
ii. to hear matrimonial cases
iii. compensation cases
iv. settlement of Deed and titles disputes
The High Court
Consists of a panel of three judges. An individual who believes he or she did not receive
a fair trial in either the magistrate of high courts may have the case reviewed. Any sentence or
fine imposed by the lower court may be upheld, reversed, increased or decreased.
The Caribbean Court of Justice (C.C.J.)
The final court of appeal for members states of CARICOM who are also signatories of
the CCJ. The CCJ also functions as an international tribunal, applying rules of international law
in respect of the interpretation and application of the CARICOM Treaty .

DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RESOURCES

Sustainable development refers to the benefits which a nation derives from the wise use and
management of its resources to ensure its present and future growth.
Globalization – refers to a variety of developments which have reduced the world to a global
village

A Resource is defined as anything natural or physical which can be harnessed to create wealth or
improve the standard of living of people OR can be accessed, developed and used to satisfy
wants and needs. Resources may be classified into large groups – Human and Physical
Resources

HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resources include the skill, talents and abilities which individuals possess.
Developing Human Resources
It can be broken down into 5 categories;
1. Education
2. Health
3. Recreation
4. Protection
5. Religion
 POPULATION
Population is the total number of people living in a given area at a particular time.
A Demography is the specialized or scientific study of the population.
A Census is the OFFICIAL count of a country’s population and in Guyana and most Caribbean
Countries it is carried out every 10 years. It reveals information like:
 population size
 sex ratio
 dependency ratio
 religion
 migration level, etc.
POPULATION CHANGE
A combination of factors influences population change
1. Crude Birth Rate
The crude birth rate is defined as the number of live births per 1000 persons in a
population within a given period of time, usually one year.
2. Crude Death Rate
The crude death rate is defined as the number of deaths per 1000 persons in a population
within a given period of time, usually one year.
3. Natural Increase
This is defined as the increase in population brought about when the birth rate is higher
than the death rate.
4. Infant Mortality Rate
Is defined as the annual number of deaths per 1000 infants (under the age of one) in the
population.
5. Fertility Rate
The fertility rate is defined as the average number of births per woman in a given year.
6. Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is defined as the average number of years that a persons in a given
population are expected to live.
7. Migration
It is the permanent movement of a person from one location to another in order to settle.
Migration is broken down into:
Internal Migration – refers to movement of people who have changed residence within a country.
International Migration – occurs when a person leaves one country to settle in another.

Net Migration (Not A Type)

refers to difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants in a country in a
particular year. It may be positive or negative. it is positive when immigrants exceed emigrants
and vice versa for negative.

Migration has factor that influence it. They are:

Push Factors and Pull Factors
PUSH FACTORS – refer to conditions existing in the locality where persons are residing which
are not conducive to progress, development and welfare; there are limited opportunities to
improve standards of living. Some push factors include:
 natural disasters
 racial and religious discrimination
 high cost of living
 political instability
 poor human services example education and health
 unemployment and low wager, etc.
PULL FACTORS – exist in a country when conditions and opportunities are favourable so they
attract new residents. Some pull factors include:
 high wages
 high standards of living
 numerous opportunities
 low levels of crime
 political stability
 developed human services, etc.
Emigration -