Presented to a seminar on Production Integration in CARICOM, January 2006
Discusses the meaning and limitations of the concept of production integration in Caricom as represented by the CSME; suggests an expanded meaning linked to ‘policy integration’ and ‘policy space’; and argues for the incorporation of the social and environmental dimensions of development into the Caricom integration project.
Discusses the meaning and limitations of the concept of production integration in Caricom as represented by the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). Noting that it has been customary to focuse on production integration in goods; the paper first examines trade and macroeconomic trends in Caricom economies and argues that this has been taking place. It goes on to question the extent to which this is likely under the conditions of ‘Open Regionalism’ and market integration that underlie the CSME. An expanded meaning of production integration is proposed, linked to the concepts of ‘policy integration’ and ‘policy space’. The paper also points to the limitations of the economistic approach embodied in the CSME and makes a case for the incorporation of the social and environmental dimensions as being essential to the success of the Caricom integration project. The final part presents conclusions and suggested phasing for the CSME.
[Published in Dennis Benn and Kenneth Hall (eds.) Production Integration: From Theory to Action. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers, 2006; 8-29].
