CARIBBEAN STUDIES

TOPIC 1.1 – Locating and Defining the Caribbean

REVISION SHEET

Major issues:

 Definitions – Geographical, geological, political, historical, diasporic.

 The appropriate circumstances in which to use particular definitions and the implications of
those definitions.
 The relationship between defining the Caribbean and the construction of Caribbean identity.

Points to be considered

 There is no ‘best’ or ‘correct’ or ‘proper’ way to define the Caribbean. The definition depends on
the circumstances in which it is being used.
 The default definition of the Caribbean for English-speaking people who live in the region is the
historical one. That is the definition used in Caribbean Studies.
 The default definition of the Caribbean for people who live outside the region is the
geographical one. It is linked to a definite place.
 People in the diaspora identify themselves more readily as Caribbean people than people who
live in the region where other identities (local, national, religious, ethnic) take precedence.
 Only 17% of Caribbean people are English-speaking; geographical definitions of the Caribbean
place the Commonwealth Caribbean in a minority position.
 The political definition is flexible. Countries like Bermuda, the Dominican Republic,
Martinique, Aruba, Curacao and Cuba may be regarded as politically part of the Caribbean
depending on their relationship with the rest of the region. The political definition has two
dimensions:
o A colonial dimension used by the European powers from which terms like ‘West Indies’
and ‘les Antilles’ come;
o A modern version which is tied to CARICOM since CARICOM is seen as the ‘de facto’
Caribbean political organization.
 The historical definition is somewhat arbitrary – it excludes Cuba but includes Haiti although
both countries have similar historical trajectories.
 The diasporic definition includes not only communities in metropolitan countries like London,
New York, Miami and Toronto but also communities that identify themselves as Caribbean
within the Caribbean region including
 Garifuna communities along the Central American coastline
 Panama especially the Caribbean city of Colon
 The island of Providencia, part of Colombia
 Haitian communities in the Dominican Republic
Essay Questions (20 marks)

1. “The best way to define the Caribbean region is geographically” To what extent do you agree
with this statement?

This question can also be framed around the geological, historical, political or diasporic definitions
or any combination of these.

2. Identify FOUR ways to define the region and explain the benefits and challenges of using each
definition.

Essay Questions (30 marks)

1. Assess the validity of the view that the way that the Caribbean is defined does not have any
significant impact on the life of Caribbean people.

2. Examine the relationship between the question of how the Caribbean is defined and the issue of
identity for Caribbean people.

3. “While history and politics are important, it is geography which is permanent.” To what extent
do you agree that the geographical definition of the region is the most meaningful?

4. “Any meaningful definition of the Caribbean must include the Caribbean diaspora.” To what
extent do you agree?