With its diverse histories of slavery, plantations, colonialism and independence, the Caribbean is richly layered, highly complex and a wonderful example of people's resistance. The pan-Caribbean region also provides an excellent geography through which to understand and analyse the complex processes of globalisation, development, migration, tourism, and social and cultural relations.
While the sea, sun and sand representation is a true one -some of the most beautiful places on earth are found in the Caribbean - the pan-Caribbean is much more intricate and fascinating than that. Where else in the world do French, Spanish, Dutch and English-speaking worlds co-exist alongside indigenous peoples and cultures? Where else have cultures of carnival, music and dance become so integrated into national and regional identities? The Caribbean is a crucible of diversity and semblance and a space that is both contradictory and harmonious.
Introduction to the Pan-Caribbean has been written by people who are either from the region or have spent much of their working lives there. It is an excellent introduction and is your map through one of the most extraordinary and remarkable parts of the world.
2 Unity in Diversity? A History of the Pan-Caribbean from 1492 to the 1970s
3 Issues of Development in the Pan-Caribbean: Overcoming crises and rising to the challenges?
4 The Caribbean in a Globalised World: Responses to a Changing International Political Economy
5 Caribbean Tourism: Trouble in Paradise?
6 Contexts of Migration & Diasporic Identities
7 Caribbean Social Perspectives
8 Cultural Formations in the Caribbean
Biography
Tracey Skelton is Lecturer in Geography at Loughborough University. She has worked and travelled in the Caribbean since her Ph.D. research took her to the tiny island of Montserrat. She is the co-editor of Culture and Global Change and has authored a wide range of articles and chapters about the Caribbean.
